1 Ecuador packing

If you are ever planning to take a mission trip, I highly recommend you have Rita P. pack for you. First, Rita has an ardent...maybe even worrisome...affection for REI that must constantly be fed.....I mean....lends itself nicely to mission preparations.  Second, all evidence to the contrary, Rita harbors an unspoken hope she can somehow, eventually turn me into the sporty, handy, subaru-lovin camper that my lesbian DNA seemingly promises. 

Throw in the fact that Rita wishes she was on this trip (and is therefore taking it vicariously through me) and my suitcase is a well-stocked pantry of preparedness.

Honestly, the fine folks of San Eduardo would have benefited more if Rita had sent the shopping fund instead of this relatively useless accountant. But alas, here we are with the well outfitted, useless accountant. 

And I don't want to say Rita took the packing list more seriously than the other folks on the trip, but they have started calling me Inspector Gadget. The good news for me: Mission trips seem to operate like a prison economy - And the deet-to-cerveza exchange rate is strong.

I did feel a little self-conscious when I pulled out the perfect white Bordeaux to pair with the chicken and rice.  But it's not like I had the right glassware or anything, so it's hard to call me spoiled.