Carlos's Flower Farm

Carlos works at a flower plantation. A staggering number of flowers are shipped from northern Ecuador to the US and around the world every year. During the weeks leading up to holidays like Valentines day and Mothers day, he has to work really long hours and over the weekends. We had asked Carlos if it would be possible to visit the flower farm one day, and he came through for us, while David and Joan were here for a visit. It was awesome. Even though it was just a short while after Valentines day, and Carlos had tried to apologize for lack of flowers, the quality and number of beautiful roses amazed us. Now I am forgetting the exact numbers, but I think that every 30 days, a new rose comes up from each stem. And they are long. 


















Susana never before had the opportunity to visit Carlos at work, so we were so glad that she could come along. The only reason we got to go was because Carlos told his boss that gringos wanted to visit and he thought that there was a possibility we would be rich businesspeople from the US who might buy more flowers. There were beautiful flowers like the one that Susana is holding that weren´t good enough to pack for export.



















Here is another shot of the long, beautiful roses. They put a soft bag over the biggest, best looking buds. They explained that if there is just a slight bit of resistance to the head of the flower, it will grow even bigger. It of course made me think of muscles and training. It also made me contemplate our time down here in Ecuador. It has at times been quite difficult, as we try and adjust our lives to not only the difficulties of living in such humble circumstances, but also the difficulties of Amy and the kids as they learned to communicate with our new family and friends. At times it has felt like more than just a slight bit of resistance, but the effect on us has been enormous. Our outlook on life has been eternally altered, our ability to confront new and difficult circumstances has been improved, and our relationships have been strengthened. I am so proud at what my family has accomplished here (and thank my lucky stars for a forgiving and accommodating wife).  















Here is the result of all the hard work in the fields - bunches of beautiful roses packed and ready for export. You can also buy a bunch of these long-stem roses in Otavalo for $2.50. Sorry ladies, and please wipe the drool off of your chin.