Ecuador at last! Having been a no show for two years for unavoidable family reasons, I am priviledged to join the 2008 CITTI journey to Ecuador. Arriving Tuesday evening I immediately began to connect with the CITTI veterans. First was Andrea DeLeon from Guatemala -> northern Virginia who I had the good luck to run into at the Quito airport as we both looked for transportation to the hotel. Once there we reunited with CITTI project director Bridgett Perry and photojournalist Chaya Spector from Oakland, CA, and Maggie Morales from Fort Bragg, CA. As the evening continued we added Lynn Gitlow and Dennis Martin from Winterport, ME; Ellen Smith from Washington, DC; Stacy Springer from Charleston, DC; Sonia Thacher from Berkeley, CA; and last but not least Susie Pompa from Baltimore, MD.

Wednesday was spent accomplishing a great deal toward preparation for our evaluation focus this year. As the new member of the team the contributions and teamwork of each individual and the whole became readily evident. It's a diverse group with each bringing unique and valuable experience and expertise, yet one that made me immediately feel at home and an integral part. I look forward with great anticipation to the experience of the next 10 days with these friends, old and new.