Making new friends..................makes me smile.

I've made a lot of new friends since moving to Ecuador.   When one re-locates to a different part of the world, making friends is like discovering a new family you never knew you had.   Among the expats, I've learned to love the freaks as well as the normals.   After all, aren't we all freaks in some way or another?

"Lean on me, when your not strong

And I'll be your friend

I'll help you carry on

for  it won't be long

'Til I'm gonna need

Somebody to lean on"

Mickie was my first friend in this country.   She has helped me
so much.   She continues with great advice even just this morning.

"'Cause I got friends in low places,

Where the Whiskey drowns,

And the Beer chases my blues away,

But I'll be okay,

Now, I'm not big on social graces,

Think I'll slip on down to the oasis, 

Oh I got friends,

In low places"

Charlitos is a local bar.   Where everybody knows your name.
It's a good place for all kinds of conversation.

"You just call out my name

And you know wherever I am

I'll come running', running, yeah, yeah,

to see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there, yes I will"

She's not an expat.  But my daughter, Robbin, helped me with the move.
She is always painfully truthful with me.   I'm so glad
the aliens gave her back to me after the teen years.
That makes her new.

"All these places had their moments
with lovers and friends
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all."

I used to carry a picture of a woman I knew named Judy
from back home who died suddenly from a heart attack to
remind me how suddenly life could leave us.  I have a
new Judy to remind me of how joyful life can be.

"Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mmm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
Ooh, I get high with a little help from my friends
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends,
with a little help from my friends"

I only know this guy through facebook.  Greg is planning to 

move back to Ecuador.   I can't wait to meet him.   He's so 

full of good advice.   He grew up here.  He also loves dogs!!

"And when we die and float away

Into the night, the Milky Way

You'll hear me call, as we ascend

Thank you for being a friend."

Greg and Rini as well as Venus are so full of love for everybody.

I'm lucky to know them and count them as friends.

"And when, when the night falls on you baby, you're feeling all alone,
You won't be on your own, I'll stand by you. I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you, won't let nobody hurt you. I'll stand by you
Take me in into your darkest hour and I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you."

Steve is American.   Alex is Ecuadorian.   They are so much in love.
And I love them both.

"My funny Valentine

Sweet comic Valentine

You make me smile with my heart

Your looks are laughable

Unphotographical

Yet you're my favorite work of art."

Even Amber made a friend.   But someone needs to give him a sandwich.