ECUADOR: Frizztext at Flickrcomments asked us to share a story or a short reflection tagged with the letter “L.” I’m quite behind on posts, and hope to catch up over the next few days. This gives me an excuse to formally introduce you to a sleepy little beach community a few kilometers away (from where I live) called La Division.
La Division is the dividing point between El Matal and Don Juan (The municipality’s own dump trucks left their tracks as they carried away load after load of sand.)
UGH! Do you think that this is legal? The muni moved from mangrove destruction to a new desecration. Poor little La Division!
Located between the fishing villages of El Matal and Don Juan, La Division basks in a sweet isolation. Boasting one tiny tienda/soda and a handful of houses, it is one of my favorite places to visit in the area.
La Division to Don Juan
Splashes of Light on Pastoral Boats – La Division, Ecuador
Downtown Proper
Located in the middle of those long stretches of beach sits La Division.
Don’t let the darkness spook you! Step inside and leave all stress behind!
Kick back and enjoy a hammock!
Time out before moving on!
About five years ago, I rented a cabana at La Division and developed a deep love for the people who live there. Meet always-happy Deier.
Thank you for visiting this petite pueblito! Come back soon, OK?
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
My thoughts say it is a wonderful place, full of charm and where nature shines every moment.
Thanks, Carlos! Yes, it is a very sweet and wonderful place, and I am always at peace when I visit my friends there! Z
😉
Not sure if we are meant to share a story beginning with L or not, however, I will share that love is on my mind. My dear aunt Tiny who was 91 in June passed away yesterday. She gave to so many all her life showing us all how to love unconditionally. She brought me home from the hospital a two day old little baby and cared for me for the next nine months of my life til my father got his life together. That is love. Giving me a home and giving me up a few months later I know from personal experience to be a hard thing…so “L” = love today for me Lisa…and you emulate that quality so well in your art….<3 Gwen
Dear, dear Gwen! Of course this story belongs here; it is one of the most beautiful ones for Frizztext’s challenge of “L.” Her story will be especially sweet to him, as his history has been marked with trials and personal challenges.
It is my loss that I did not know your Aunt Tiny, and she sounds like a true saint of a woman. There is surely a new twinkling star that will smile down upon you! Yes, L for love sounds like a great theme for the day, for the week, and for the rest of the year!
Love,
Lisa
What a charming little pueblito! And Deier is darling 🙂
Yes, he is darling! He has a mental slowness – almost like a a slow computer, and it takes a while for a statement to register, and then he will nod and smile. He always brightens my day! Thanks, amiga! Z
How do the residents of La Division benefit from the destruction of the beach?
They do not. Just like with the mangroves, the muni seems to bulldoze its way through whatever it wants with little sensitivity to the environment. The sand was taken to town, and part of it is still stockpiled near the hospital.
here are a few posts that reflect the mangrove damage.
https://playamart.wordpress.com/tag/friday-the-13th/
thanks, margaret!
z
Looks like a wonderful place for relaxing and reflecting!
It’s a sweet little oasis! Z
Thanks for sharing a piece of your lovely world, Z.
Thanks, Hugh! Writing about it makes me wistful to go there for the day, but alas, I am mending and should tempt this asthma into another round! Z
Beautiful photos of a beautiful place – and another reminder that “L” is for Lisa, who always brings us bits of the world to enjoy and ponder. A lovely (“L”ovely!) post!
You are so great! Thanks! Lisa
another piece of paradise ..love it.. here in San Clemente it is illegal to haul sand from the beach..
i would think that it’s illegal here as well, however…..
i shrug. where does one go to find answers and solutions? z
my favorite photo:
Splashes of Light on Pastoral Boats – La Division, Ecuador
Crazy for the little boat and downtown proper. Deier? How cute is he?
Excellent! :-). G
Thanks! Yes, he is a cutie – his entire family is gorgeous! z
Wonderful post. Lovely place 🙂
Thanks, Amy! Z
It looks great Lisa…is this where your friend’s little development is going? How do we get more info? Just lowered the price on our home in Ohio….AGAIN…and hoping to get it under contract soon. We are grateful for you posts that help keep our hearts down there.
I will probably see him this afternoon and will try to get more details. Good luck; I hope that the perfect person comes along soon! I ate at ‘our’ little restaurant twice this past week, and the three of you were there with me in spirit! Z
What a great place..just reading about it made me relax..looks so quaint and peaceful!! 🙂 Carol
…Sort of like sitting by the Red River and watching the water flow by? Not quite, as most of the places where I live in Latin America have few mosquitoes! z
My kind of town. Quiet, simple, peaceful and yes, beautiful.
but of course! i can picture you there with your sweet family, and then sharing your experiences with the world. maybe one day your path will bring you to ecuador and to the olive-ridley beaches of costa rica! z
What a charming spot on the beach. I am sure the fish is fresh. If the beer is cold, I could spend a while there.
A few years ago we stayed at what was billed as an Eco lodge made mostly of bamboo. I think it was call Andalus or something similar. Somewhere south of Manta on the coast. Do you know it? Is it still there?
i have never stayed there, but i read great things about it. it’s between puerto lopez and montanita?
yes, the cervesa is cold and time slows down there! it’s so deliciously quiet as well! z
I think so. puerto Lopez is a funky place. Where is that in relation to you?
oooh. by bus, about 8 or 9 hours? i have never gone there by bus from here, though i stayed in that area about six years ago. manta is probably half way between puerto lopez and jama. jama is just minutes of latitude south of the line of the equator and is due west of quito. by bus, quito is about 8 hours as well!
z
Your pictures create a wonderful sense of place – warm and inviting.
thanks! la division is a warm, inviting place!!! z