THE MAYOR OF MCKINNEY AVENUE NEEDS TO RESCUE AMY McGOWAN
The Mayor of McKinney Avenue was informed by his constituents, Janet Blazek and Priscilla Trujillo, that one of their best friends was missing. The Mayor quickly responded by discovering that this lost friend, Amy McGowan, was on her way to Ecuador. What was the Mayor to do? How can he find her? He tried e-mailing her, and left messages on her answering
machine, but no response. There was only one thing left to do.
The Mayor used his frequent flyer points and flew to Ecuador admist economic turmoil and volcanic eruptions. The value of the dollar was increasing an average of 3% everyday. The Mayor was gaining economic value on a daliy basis.
What cost $20 at the time of his arrival would cost $16 one week later. This economic advantage would help the Mayor find Amy because it may take a long time to find some one in this South American country.
Above are scenes of his hotel and surrounding areas. Do not be alarmed by the middle photo of the street burning event. It is traditional in Ecuador to burn the old at the end of every year.
What is burning is a manequin that represents a politician or some other person that needs to be erased before the New Year begins. How can the Mayor of McKinney Avenue find anyone in this country? He can barely speak any Spanish! The Mayor told everyone that he will find Amy McGowan even if it meant going to the Middle of the World!
The Mayor contacted his Equidorian Counsel Sandra Parra for advice. She was in Ecuador at the time visiting with family in the city of Guayaquil. She said " Social Mayors of Dallas have a way of finding people when they need to, you Mr. Mayor will find your friend".
The Mayor of McKinney Avenue called all of the hotels but could not find her. He remembered that Amy had met Janet and Priscilla through the church, so where else can she be?
After searching through all of Quito's ancient and historical churches, the Mayor still could not find Amy. He knew that Amy was into the outdoors such as hiking and mountain climbing. There were three main mountains to climb as day trips from Quito the Capital of Ecuador.
Two of the three had dangerous volcanic activity. Entire towns had been evacuated months earlier. So that left just one mountain. The mountain is actually the world's most active tallest volcano, Cotopaxi! Could Amy be there? Where else can she be?
The Mayor of McKinney Avenue took a guided tour to this volcano and began his search.
The Mayor of McKinney Avenue starts his climb through some rough terrain and narrow valleys and gorges that were developed from volcanic lava flows over 100 years ago.
The Mayor of McKinney Avenue spots several people climbing ahead of him on the volcano. He shouts but cannot
be heard by anyone. It is 25 degrees F. and as he climbs it only gets colder and steeper. But being a
Mayor he owes it to his constituents not to give up.
There is barely any oxygen at this altitude of 14000 feet.
The Mayor is slowing down as he climbs. He is without food or water and is now clinbing through the snow and the
low clouds block all visibility. What is he going to do? Fortunately the clouds break for a brief moment and the
Mayor spots a refuge shelter several hundred feet higher. The Mayor climbs to this refuge. He enters the refuge
and finds other climbers are inside taking shelter. The Mayor is low on oxygen, and somewhat incoherent.
If anyone has ever seen the Mayor of McKinney Avenue after several jello shots, well this was far worse.
The Mayor believes he hears English being spoken. Where is that English being spoken? He searches around and comes
face to face with an English speaking person. This person is wearing a ski cap and sunglasses. It is a female,she is
looking at the Mayor but does not say anything. About thirty seconds go by and this person removes her ski cap and sunglasses
and shouts out "I SPOT A MAYOR!!!"
The Mayor still low on oxygen cannot comprehend what has just happened. Amy McGowan has found the Mayor!
The Mayor did not find her, she found him! The rescue was a success!!! Amy spotted the Mayor and won not only this month's
(I Spot a Mayor) contest, but this was December 31st 1999, the last day of the millenium and Amy got awarded the
"I Spot A Mayor" contest winner of the Millenium! As we all know Nancy Krum was going to win this award for outstanding Mayorial spotsmanship throughout
the year, but spotting a Mayor many miles from Dallas, in a foreign land, in a cold refuge on an active volcanic mountain takes the Millenium award. Amy was fine and
elated in winning the award. She was in the safe hands of her friend Debra a Houston
native now living in Switzerland. Debra was amazed at how Amy can run into people whenever they travel. Both Amy and Debra had planned this 12 day trip to the beautiful country of
Ecuador. Amy, Debra and the Mayor descend the volcano together and escape in their tour guide's Land Rovers.
Remember that the Mayors are everywhere if you ever need them. You were visitor number 