Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

So says ancient wisdom. We're about to test that with an extended trip away from Cuenca. Generally, we love the place. We love the freedom, the ease, the temperate weather and warm hearted people. Of course, there are things that drive us nuts. Making appointments with tradesmen and them not showing up until an hour after the agreed time - sometimes more. The hopeless search for certain items that are common place in North America. The struggle to conduct business in a second language. The lack of online services, web sites and the general lack of respect for email response times. 

Waiting at Guayaquil Airport

First world problems to be sure. Now we're going to find out if that old adage that is my title is true. In truth, we've been biding our time, waiting out the restricted period on our Visa's, so that we can head back out into the wide world with adventure and curiosity in our hearts.

12 Hour Delay in Auckland

NZ's Answer to the CN Tower

Chain Link Spider Web

Travel isn't what it used to be. We aren't looking forward to the flights, layovers and airport security. The scrimpy rules that run the airlines: "your bag's too big", "it weighs too much", "Dinner? $12 please", "Checked bag? $50". It all kind of sucks. I used to love getting on a plane, but it's just something to be survived now. That's part of the reason that we're staying out of country so long. I also am developing rules about flight time versus time away. The longer the flight the greater (exponentially) the time you stay.

Arrived at Sunrise, Left at Sunset

So, here's to adventure and discovering parts of the world unknown to us! Here's to finding out if absence really does make the heart grow fonder. 

(Side note: already missing Ecuador - we're in a bit of sticker shock, but that's first-world prices for you, I guess.)