Detours

Tags

Camarones Ecuador, Cruzita Ecuador, Cruzita Lodging, Ecuador, Hostal Cruzita, Jama, Playa Escondida, Tasaste Ecuador, Vista Pacifica

Last week brought several delightful surprises;  the first was a brilliant eclipse on ‘Carnival Sunday.’    I was painting outside and happened to look up and see the halo ringing the mid-day sun.  Many others experienced the same unexpected show overhead, which might have been an omen of more torrential rains.  It also might have been a good omen of unexpected guests!

THE UNDERTOW

Tags

depression, obstacles, Poem The Undertow, tony's scrap book, undertow

Beneath the tranquil facade of idyllic ocean waves, a deadly undertow often awaits an unsuspecting swimmer.    Until one experiences the unseen force, it is difficult to comprehend its power.   Strong swimmers tell of the exhausting battle of endurance while treading water or swimming parallel to the shore until they break free.  We have all heard stories with tragic endings where a rip claimed one life or several others who attempted to help.

Sidney Poitier shares an eye-opening testimony to an undertow’s power in his autobiography, The Measure of a Man.    The force often grabs without warning, and it leaves a lasting impression on all who experience it, even if watching from afar.

“Jama Me!” (Ecuador)

Tags

Barbudo Ciragan, Ecuador, El Matal, Jama, Lalo Loor Dry Forest, Manabi, Map Don Juan Ecuador, Map Jama Ecuador, Map Tasaste Ecuador, Playa Escondida, Tasaste, Vista Pacifica, Zeebra Map Jama Ecuador, Zeebra Maps

Til the Cows Come Home

Jama is one of those sleepy little areas along Ecuador’s Pacific Coast where life slows down and reminds you of ‘the good old days.’  Although Jama Proper is a large town which includes a futbol stadium, fairgrounds and a museum,  the wide streets have more foot traffic than cars.

IT’S NOT WHAT ONE HAS PLANNED FOR THE DAY….

Tags

Don Juan, Ecuador, El Matal, Jama, Lalo Loor, Library, Manabi, Tasaste

“A Maracuya Day!”

It’s not always what we have planned for the day, but what the day has planned for us!  This week brought two visitors to my doorway –  Rycardo, my sculptor friend, and Sergio, the director for tourism for the canton of Jama, Ecuador.   After finishing a painting (Bamboo) and posting “A FRAGILE BALANCE” for the Zeebra Designs website, I was happy to disconnect from art and visit with my friends!                                                                                               Sergio, originally from Chile,  has spearheaded a renaisance of the arts in Jama;  Rycardo and I have been helping!   As we tossed around ideas for future projects,  Sergio saw the latest Zeebra Map (in progress) on the drawing board.    He asked if I would draw an additional one for Jama “proper” then volunteered to drive me around the canton.