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!
Edgar Santos, the owner and developer of the nearby Playa Escondida Project at Camerones, stopped by the riverhouse with his family. They invited me to see the progress they’ve made on remodeling an old home they recently purchased. Wow. If anyone is interested in spending a few nights at a secluded 3 bedroom 3-level beach/vacation-rental home (2 night min.) I will be glad to make the introduction! That house has a soul! Playamart will prepare several “What’s Cooking?” features in their kitchen in the near future. I look forward to gathering supplies and finding time to play “Goldilocks” in their kitchen!
The wishes of another neighbor in Camerones prompted me to introduce all of you to my new friend, Emily Kalnicky, who set a “30 before 30 on 30” goal. With dreams of building a community center, she hopes that others will take interest in the project. Please visit her new blog, give an encouraging word and if possible, help with the progress!
Larry Piolo, of Vista Pacifica at Tasaste, gets two good-neighbor stars on his chart! When I sent the query about sponsors for the area Zeebra Map, he immediately responded and said, ‘Sign me up!” He dropped off a requested supply of brochures and paid for his sponsorship before I asked for payment! I hope to visit the Vista Pacifica project next week.
A new post on the sister ‘Zeebra Designs/Playamart’ site tells of this past week’s fishing experience that left me puzzled. Hopefully someone can identify and share some trivia about the mystery fish. Read “Gone Fishin” and help solve the mystery if possible!
After a few days of pretty weather, the skies turned angry and brought heavy rains and lightning for several days. One large painting (Ceibo Sprawl) was finished, and another small one (Happy Shoes) awaited a final application of black paint. Having exhausted my supply of blue and black pigments, and needing to coordinate with the Cancebi Museum, I easily justified a trip to Manta and then a side trip/detour to Cruzita!
I wasn’t aware of how saturated the ground was until the journey began. The fields and pastures of Rio Chone’s upper flood plain transformed into huge lagoons. Roads were submerged near the hub town of Rocafuerte, and traffic slowed to a crawl until we reached higher ground.
My friend Raul, at Hosta Cruzita, said that he’s not seen the roads underwater like that in over ten years. I asked if we were having an El Nino Year, and he chuckled and said, ‘No. Not quite.”
I was one of two children at Hostal Cruzita, though the next night they had a full house. 44 lovely guests from a neighboring canton often travel to Hostal Cruzita where Raul and Gina and staff cater all of their meals. I have always respected my two friends, but after witnessing the quality of food and the efficiency in preparing, serving and clean-up — my respect for them tripled!
This little boy (pictured left) savored every bite of his food, as did everyone. Almost every plate at every meal returned to the kitchen with few crumbs!
My few days of ‘timeout’ at Hostal Cruzita were, as always, refreshing! After recharging my batteries, I am ready to resume painting – and perhaps add some new ‘life species’ to my fishing list!
Have a good week, everyone!
From Cruzita, Z
Great article Lisa….the next time you need to come down this way, pop us an email and you can stay with us in San Clemente. We’ll be coming to Jama in March. Friends from the states will be visiting and know a couple in Jama that they want to visit. Hopefully we can connect with you while we’re there. Also will be needing paints soon, can you recommend a place in Manta? Thanks.. always looking forward to you next article..painting..photograph…Mary
Hey Amiga! This trip my route via bus was through San Vicente/Chone/Rocafuerte, etc. There seems to be no easy way to get to Manta! Thanks for the invitation,and I look forward to seeing the REAL San Clemente through your eyes! The Super Paco in Manta seems to have better brushes than the one in Portoviejo, though the Portoviejo store has some fairly decent papers, and the Manta store gets a low score! Both stores have paints; I bought tube acrylics on Friday but have yet to try them. Will let you know soon! Thanks! Z
Thanks, also, for the lead on the mystery fish! Z
Nice article Lisa! Thanks for the blurb about my fundraising efforts! I have been moved by people’s willingness to help spread the word. As with anything, these kinds of projects take time, and it’s hard to really show the “greater good” and impact that cross-cultural sustainable development work can have, but it’s wonderful people like you that help! I also really loved seeing your maps! Those are beautiful! I look forward to heading back to Ecuador soon and meeting you in person! Until then, take care with all of the rain! It sounds like it really has been quite something down there!! Thanks! Emily
hey amiga! con mucho gusto!
manabi continues to get a lot of rain, and from the high vantage point of the bus, i saw a lot of damage to the crops – many still standing in water. wilt/disease is obvious in fields of peppers, plantains, tomatoes. i suspect that the price of produce is about to increase. the peppers were quite muddy at the sidewalk market, the tomatoes and broccoli were beautiful, and the limons have never been prettier! next week everything might look quite sad.
see you soon!
z
Hi Lisa,
I’m Michael, a new subscriber to your blog. I’m enjoying the entries and I think your writing is well done.
I invite you to write a guest entry for my blog. I live in northern California and will be visiting Ecuador for three months starting this coming August, and will be taking Spanish lessons at Simon Bolivar school in Cuenca.
My blog is about preparations to visit and it continues with weekly posts and will go on while I’m in Ecuador until I return to America. I will then decide if Ecuador is a country that is personally viable as a place for me to retire.
If you would consider writing a guest entry, google “Ecuador Experiment” and you will be able to find and read some entries from my blog.
I would be very proud and happy to have you write a guest entry, and I know my readers would be very pleased as well.
If you would do this, please let me know. I will post it when you are done.
Frappe1300@yahoo.com
Michael
Hi Michael!
Thanks for your kind words about the blog, and for subscribing. Of course I will be honored to write something! I found your blog and will start from the beginning to catch up on your story. It appears that you’re already studying spanish, and i predict you’ll be star student in those classes. Cuenca is a lovely city, and that’s a great starting point. You’ve done your research well.
I’ve been out of town, but should get back to you soon. Thanks again, Lisa
Really enjoyed reading about your fishing experience, your stay with Edgar and your trip to Cruzita. Your stories are keeping my mind and heart in Ecuador where I want to be. Please keep the posts coming…and thanks for you help!!!
Thanks, Mike! I hope that you and Jana find your way back soon! Z