Blogless and silent, I have been wandering around my wordless desert for over 40 days and 40 nights…until I saw a sign….
The sign made me wonder where on earth was I and how had I got here?
Sylvia and Andrea on the road to El Faro.
The long dirt road stretched endlessly through the middle of the dusty landscape as we bounced along the well beaten track in Sylvia's yellow Chevrolet truck. Our gracious host referred to her vehicle fondly as "Amarilla" and its immaculate preservation over the decades was testament to her careful driving. Slowly negotiating the potholes, the ladies rode up front while the boys bounced Alfresco in the back on a wooden pew.
The black feathers of the frigates spiraled in the waves of heat rising up from the desolate rock promontory ahead. The black and yellow stripes of El Faro lighthouse grew larger on the horizon. We crunched to a halt alongside the sandy strip of beach, an ocean breeze flooded a welcoming coolness through the window. We had parked directly in front of a billboard which to my amazement displayed a picture of me. Frowning in confusion, I had no recognition of the wetsuit or board I was stood upon. Stupefied, it took a moment to understand this was in fact not me. We stumbled from the car captivated by the sign, flabbergasted by the remote coincidence.
"Dreams that come true are essentially, nothing but a mere coincidence of wishes with destiny"
Amos Kafata
This was spooky weird, indeed this was a sign, and it was definitely a sign intended for me, but what did it mean? Had I finally "found" myself here in Ecuador? Was I was riding a wave of change and becoming an Engladorian, a cultural adoption of English into Ecuadorian?
Perhaps it was time to swop out the carbon fibre SUP and embrace a more traditional local style.
There are so many wonderful things in this culture that are symbiotic to my way of thinking. Undoubtably my favorite thing here is the people.
Sunday afternoon at the beach
They still enjoy an interconnectedness of life here, an elementary enjoyment of each other that seems to have been lost in most other places.
Legendary surfer Dorothy and granddaughter Julietta
It begins with an expression of welcome when each person is kindly recognized with an acknowledging kiss on the cheek. I have been pulled into an Ecuadorian embrace by the wonderful people here and now I understand the warm heart of South America.
"Friends are the Bacon
Bits in the Salad Bowl of Life."
Pizza Place Sign
"Unexpected adventure makes for a better story."
Lynn O’Rourke
"Friends are kisses blown to us by angels."
Author Unknown
"Family isn’t always blood.
It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs."
Unknown
In conversation, the gentle touch of an Ecuadorian hand upon your arm is a reminder of your inclusion into their family and the open invitation into spontaneous contentment.
I am eternally grateful that my family dropped in on this amazing way of life. I particularly relish their celebration of food which brings everyone together at mealtimes.
Xavier (Maestro Gourmet) and his food fans
Whether it be lamb, beef, pork, or fish, our Master Chefs always procured the best produce directly from the source and possessed the gourmet skills to create the most delightful tastes.
"Never eat more than you can lift" Miss Piggy
Andrea, Roberto and Monica bringing home the catch of the day
“Fishing is much more than fish. It is the great occasion when we may return to the fine simplicity of our forefathers.”
Herbert Hoover
As my expedition into Engladorianism continues, I will have to stop butchering the Spanish language. If I wish to cross the abyss of another language and the deficit of understanding I know I will have to pay more attention to the verb conjugations and rules of grammar. But that's such hard work, why can't I keep hacking on with my Spanglish? Just continue with my lazy, perizoso approach where the Espanol creeps in by osmosis, "poco a poco"? The kids can claim linguistic progress as they have been taking some lessons.
At least I give fair warning of my untutored approach when I start each sentence with "Mi" and then string a few key words together and gesticulate wildly. Perhaps I should simply focus on body language. It is supposed to account for 70% of communication. To give an air of expert understanding I could concentrate on the art of Spanish hand gestures and throw in the word "bastante" which seems applicable to every situation. But who am I kidding? No one will hear me because of my blonde hair.
The rubia remains a novelty here in Ecuador where there are so few gringos and even less gringettas. I am surely going to feel lost when I leave here for the flaxen anonymity of northern Europe.
The rubia remains a novelty here in Ecuador where there are so few gringos and even less gringettas. I am surely going to feel lost when I leave here for the flaxen anonymity of northern Europe.
Ecuador is a land of mountains and coasts, islands and jungle, its grand diversity reminds me so much of Africa. It feels so familiar here by the coast, the ocean and the palm trees.
Early in the morning, lying in the dark, the tropical air closely blankets me and a warm silk breeze caresses my cheek. The soothing sound of waves covers the symphony of frogs. I am awake but the dream continues.
My thoughts span outward towards the fading stars and considers this place on the equator, an unexpected tranquilo. We have connected with so many friends of the road while traveling here in Ecuador it has created a sense of belonging. Perhaps the sign I found at the end of a road signifies journey's end and that I too should become part of the landscape?
My thoughts span outward towards the fading stars and considers this place on the equator, an unexpected tranquilo. We have connected with so many friends of the road while traveling here in Ecuador it has created a sense of belonging. Perhaps the sign I found at the end of a road signifies journey's end and that I too should become part of the landscape?
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