Tags
El Matal Ecuador, jama ecuador, ladrones, omens, Sunsets, thieves
Brilliant Sunset March 12 – Jama Central
Could this March 12 sunset have been an omen for an unusual upcoming day?
March 13 began with an early-morning walk to town… I spotted the first Peruvian Meadowlark for the year, then stopped and admired a smooth-billed ani. The black and white stilts, herons, ibis and egrets are perennial bonuses!
Some days the walk is muddy; other days it’s dry and dusty. There are always interesting fora and fauna waiting to be discovered!
Grabbing a drink and banana bread on the run, I hopped in a collectivo pickup bound for El Matal….
After a brief check at El Matal, where Project Sandbag is underway, I returned to Jama for lunch and Timout for Art post then home to resume work on the painting…
But wait! The sound of a helicopter veered me off course, and to the airstrip I went!
Three visitors emerged from the rainy-season grasses and received a bicycle escort!
Someone in an official tourism vehicle retrieved the guests, and a neighbor gave me a ride to the farm…
Almost home… Shrimp farms line the gravel road that parallels the river.
“Hello Garden!” The garden needed a rain. I opened the studio doors…
“Hello House!” The studio provides a naturally cool respite on a hot day.
“Hello Floor!” The magic carpet and floor always steal the show. Next I critiqued the botanical painting, then rounded the corner to go upstairs. I noted something amiss at the other door…
Someone worked hard at breaking through the wooden door. The inside backup was broken from the wall.
Sigh… On my fist walk through I found nothing missing. On the second, I was unable to locate the binoculars. On the third round, I noted the absence of walkie talkies… Nothing was out of place, yet small items were missing. The police were called, and as I waited, a trio of cars arrived.
Engineers from Portoviejo
Engineers were discussing options for the last bend of the river. The river devoured the rocks in certain spots, and we discussed other solutions.
(“Transplant large mangroves!!“) I shared my observations, and we talked for half an hour. The main engineer actually listened to my feedback! One of the younger engineers said, “I remember you! You had a show at the museum in Portoviejo!”
Although the police never arrived, a sunset signaled that all would be ok.
30 hours after reporting the break in, 2 policemen arrived. Though sympathetic, they informed me that I’d have to go to Bahia de Caraquez to make the formal report. Because it was the end of the week, we agreed it would be best if I waited til Monday to ensure that the proper office would be open.
Most likely I’ll have to go to Portoviejo to request the dusting for fingerprints.
Sigh. Through this, I am reminded that I’m still lucky to have my health, and these stolen items are very minor. Oh! An inch of rain fell last night! Yes, we needed that rain!
Does anyone know of (global) satellite internet/home security options? Many areas have equal needs, and I suspect there’s technology out there that can help us not only be connected but also have home security cameras attached to those systems.
In advance, I embrace your feedback! Going home til Monday!
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Oh my… I feel for you during this big time of change. Upheaval really.
Sigh. I wish I could find the words. Know I am sending courage and love.
Be well. xo Gina
thanks! i’m really ok, aside from knowing that these ‘ladrones’ have to be stopped… i have several plans!
i first thought, ‘joe’s up to his tricks again and has left another from-the-dead message!’
next week will be interesting for sure! z
Lisa, so sorry about this – it is happening all over. Glad it was minor but all theft hurts! Reading your blog, did you know where the three engineers are from? Were they local Ecuadorians?
Oh, that awful feeling of invasion, and impotent anger! 😦
There are good security companies in the larger cities to help you, or you can just buy motion detectors to light up the yard if many one comes within reach. It discourages the thieves from being discovered if you have neighbors,
Your cool head during this is admirable. Thankfully, you are safe. Things can be replaced. But beware and stay safe.
so sorry to hear that your home / haven was broken into. Items were taken but hopefully none of your art was destroyed and you were not physically hurt. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers for your safety. hugs
Z – That saddens me that this happened to you. I think you most likely know who did this, which makes this even more sad. At least you are safe and nothing was destroyed.
We have a home security system with an alarm with a local company. But we also have video cameras around our house. You can actually be out of town and “look in” on your house. This goes through a company on the internet. Up here, should we need to call the sheriff to come out, we usually get a phone call asking “do we really need to come there?” Anyway, the feed on the video equipment goes directly to their website so you can watch if you need to. A DVR came with the equipment that will record days of what the cameras see. If you can find a spot to put something like this where it will not be found, maybe a camouflage piece of artwork to hide it? And, you will have to see if it will work in your neck of the woods. If not, there might be other companies that could help you!
Check out http://www.lorextechnology.com/
I hope this helps and hugs to you chica! I am sorry that this has happened to you! ^..^ B
I so sorry to hear of this burglary. I don’t know of any systems you could use but there may be something old school that is effective, like trip wires with jangling tin cans attached. It’s a fine line trying to protect oneself and yet not feel as though you are enclosed in a fortress.
That sux. People can be so mean sometimes. There are gps tracker stickers that are small and go on small items that works thru am app on your phone. We were thinking of using it for our smaller hand tools that go missing. Maybe this is an alternative security for smaller expensive items.
Z, I am sorry your refuge was violated and you lost a few items. You are right to place them in the order of importance as you remain healthy, vibrant and physically unscathed. I cannot speak for your feelings of being intruded upon, which is much more than unsettling. All the best, BTG
Sigh! Unfortunately, this is happening all over the world. I’m so sorry, Lisa. It is such a violation and invasion of our privacy. One thing that concerns me is that the ladron obviously waited until you were gone to break into your house. He has been watching and waiting. I suspect he knows you. Do you have any close neighbors? Would it be possible to start a neighborhood watch?
In Nicaragua, we have barking dogs to deter unwanted strangers from entering our property or a night watchman. We had a rash of robberies in our little neighborhood several months ago. Only little things went missing…our watering hose, my Brazilian hammock, our neighbors clothes hanging on her clothesline. We hired a nightwatchman for a week. He patrolled the area. We also installed spotlights on our casita. It’s a never ending battle with petty thievery. So sorry.
Z, I don’t know of anything off the top of my head, but it just occurred to me… Cruisers around the world have security system on their boats. The boat, as a self-contained little world, is much like your home. It has to have a security system that isn’t dependent on the land, because cruisers always are moving.
I’ll make some inquiries and see if I can get some leads in that direction.
This is a start: Boating security systems. While there may not be anything directly applicable, there might be a few low-tech ideas that would be workable for you.
Watch yourself, and be careful. I have a feeling that whoever did the deed doesn’t want to hurt you, but I also suspect you know them. Not a good situation. But, not the worst. And if word gets around, you may have lots of pairs of eyes watching for you. 😉
These are the times when you realize what is really important! You are so right – these are words to live by:
“Sigh. Through this, I am reminded that I’m still lucky to have my health, and these stolen items are very minor.”
In my last post I wrote ‘Health is the greatest wealth.’
You have the right attitude Lisa,
A friend had his bike stolen and said ‘They must have needed it.’
It is bad enough loosing something without letting it spoil your day.
Ugh, sorry Z but thankful you weren’t there and that those items can be replaced. Way to stay positive.
We discovered your delightful website about 10 days ago and have been working from your earliest posts to the present.
Your photos are truly wonderful and reflect the inner spirit of the places and people we meet when traveling in Ecuador and the coast, which we know quite well.
Sorry about the break-in. This happens unfortunately, as your Peace March photo montage documented recently.
We wouldn’t devote much effort into “crime scene investigation” or alarm systems, but concentrate instead on reinforcing all the openings to your house.
When we lived in Chone, quite a while ago, we had heavy doors, multiple locks and bars on all the windows. This is of course very off-putting to most Americans, but the norm in Ecuador.
We’re sure a local artisan could craft a beautiful metal door from one of your original designs.
Hopefully the engineers will heed your advice about the mangroves.
http://www.chiriquichatter.net/blog/category/technology/ This guy knows quite a lot about computers, security, and related technology. Maybe something there will be helpful.
Oh Lisa, so sorry for the loss of your items. I know how awful it feels to be burglarized from personal experience. You’re right, the items can be replaced, and the most important thing is that you’re unharmed. All the best, Terri
Oh this saddens me, your safe haven was intruded and with it takes that sense of security of your environment. I hope that someone has ideas that you’ll be able to use to secure your place, it’s doubtful but I hope that they are able to apprehend the villains. So sorry Lisa!
This is saddening. Breakins really mess with your sense of safety and having your safe place violated
It is so disappointing to come face to face with the darker side of life. I suspect the feeling of violation is far worse than the missing items themselves.
But, on the other hand…you’re famous! Not only do people in the know recognize you, they know your work! That is cool!
You tell of the bicycle “escorts” with the same calm voice as you describe the walk-throughs, alone, noticing something more missing each time. But you’re so right: you lost only “things” and kept what was important. Your health, your life…your future.