Memory Making Overdrive

As we enter our final weeks in Olon, we’ve been dedicated to taking advantage of the best parts of our time here: beach walks, sunsets, ice cream delivery, and, of course, time with great friends.

Talia had her first Ecuadorian sleepover at her friend, Luciana’s house. She took the school bus there on a Monday, stayed over, took the bus to school and then came home to us on Tuesday. She navigated that whole time only in Spanish and seemed fine. It turns out kids can learn Spanish.

Talia also planned a dinner with her friend, Asher, which involved packing a bag of toys, choosing a restaurant, etc. Asher has been such a steady, goofy and wonderful friend this year (plus he will do anything talia asks when she splits her lunch with him, and she’s really enjoyed that).

Now that the weather is cooling, we’ve done some beach BBQs and some evening body boarding. As the cloudy season rolls in, we are also doing some more indoor stuff, such as a visit to the tiny (and somewhat depressing) aquarium/animal rehab center about a half hour down the coast in Valdivia.

Cloudy season apparently means it’s also venomous snake season near Talia’s school. Ugh! I was not happy to learn that detail!

Other photos include telas class, reading with Talia’s buddy, Leo, hanging out with Talia’s teacher/surf instructor’s cat, African dance class in school and chickens for sale at a local tienda.

One thing that Talia has learned to navigate here is the art of explaining our family. Many kids at school (no matter how sweet) simply refuse to believe that Talia has two moms. Even many of the kids who have met us still tell her “nope. not true. you just can’t have two moms. It’s impossible.”

When we travel, it’s equally challenging—managers of hotels and haciendas are often confused by us, and, because Talia is the only Spanish speaker in our group, it sometimes falls to her to explain our family. In an attempt to avoid putting Talia on the spot, I once referred to Kyla as “mi amiga” and Talia piped up to correct me, thinking I had forgotten the word “esposa.” I’ll never do that again.

All of this may feel like a small inconvenience given the context of the attacks on gay/trans rights in the US, but, it’s a challenge that I want to remember and recognize. Talia—if you read this blog when you’re older, I’m sorry for the “amiga” thing and I’m impressed with how your 6 year old self takes up space in hard conversations. You’ve got fortitude that I admire. At 6, you are bold and brave in so many ways.Læs mere