Galapagos greetings

[Bapopik at AOL.COM]

   Greetings from Ibarra, Ecuador.  I am back from five internetless, tvless, newspaperless days in the Galapagos.
   I gave the crew five days to come up with slang and nicknames.  I suggested names for sea lions, iguanas, boobys, Galapagos islanders, the weather.  They gave me just about nothing.  The tour guide was a real smart ass, too.  The itinerary was changed, but no new itinerary was given.  Ask about the internet and they laugh in your face.  And for this the crew wants a ten dollar a day tip.

PIRATES OF THE AIR--Frigate birds.  Also called Caesars, supposedly after their Spanish name, Tijera.

COMING TO GALAPAGOS IS LIKE GOING BACK IN TIME--VENIR A GALAPAGOS ES COMO TRASLADARSE AL PARADO--Sign at the airport.

REP SHOP--Repair Shop.  Seen all over Ecuador.  Also, REPSHOP.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS--A musical family that makes and plays Ecuador's music had these names for the instruments...
   Panflut, Maracas, Rondador, Antara, Tarka, Basto, Malta, Zirbe, Sicus, Chuli, Palla, Yaur Chimba, Tojo.

ECUADOR FOOD, from my hotel menu here...
MEJIDO TURNOVERS--stuffed with cheese and covered with sugar.
SALCHIPAPAS, French Fries and Sausages.
LOCRO--traditional soup prepared with potatoes and cheese, served with avocado.
CARNE COLORADA...
CUY DE HACIENDA...no one in my group tried the guinea pig...
CREPES IMBABURA--filled with fruit jelly, covered with blackberry sauce, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.

   This keyboard has two settings--Col. or Ec. Spanish, but not English.  I punctuated differently because I cannot find the keys...End that with an exclamation.
   I will possibly have about one hour of food research in the Miami Public Library on Monday as I head home.  Search the catalog and make your research requests now.