Michelle – Sunset at Playa Tarqui/Ecuador
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Dr. Suess
Click your heels together and get moving! Otherwise you might miss amazing experiences that await you!
About ten years ago while spending a week in the San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua area, I met a perpetually-cheerful university student who became an instant friend. From New York, multi-talented Michelle was on vacation, and we shared mutual interests in horseback riding, art and music. She later spent time with me in Costa Rica, and we’ve kept in close contact over the years.
San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua
After coordinating plans via email for her first trip to Ecuador, Michelle arrived in Guayaquil on Saturday night for an 8-day visit. We spent Sunday morning saying, “Hello-Hola” to the resident reptiles and pigeons at ‘IGUANA PARK’ before touring Guayaquil’s Malecon 2000 area.
At noon I coaxed Michelle to pose for a photo-shadow moment. I tried to visually balance the light house on the top of her head, but the effect looks a bit silly!
Noon Shadow underfoot
We visited my favorite artifacts at the MAAC Museum, where a special (surprise) exhibit by Billy Soto showcased Jama Coaque sellos with a graphic-arts twist. We lucked out, as it was the final day of the exhibition! For more information go here: Billy Soto
We checked out of our Guayaquil hotel and took the Manta Express mini van from Guayaquil to Manta. About half way between the two cities, a beautiful young woman turned and asked in perfect English, “I’m curious; why are you two ladies going to Manta?” We seemed to be way off the tourist trail, but she had also overheard us talking about the ceibo trees, the cuisine of Manabi Province and even the unique uses of bamboo for construction. She thought she heard us mention Jama!
Dady mentored young artists during the post-painting competition. The artist selected designs from the Jama Coaque sellos (stamps)
Fast forward several minutes, and we were amused that beautiful Kathleen has family in Jama, and she will be spending the week with her cousin – my dear friend Dady! (See: Who’s the Boss on this Shrimp Farm?)
Dear Dady – Helped with judging the posts.
Kathleen grew up in New York, though she is very attached to her grandfather’s beloved community of Jama. She named many of her cousins that I knew well, and at times I named people that she knew. We’re looking forward to spending more time with Kathleen and Dady this week in Jama.
Michelle and I reached Manta just before sunset, and we spent the final hour of daylight along the beach. We discussed the contrasts of staying in the comfort of home where there are few surprises (Some people don’t like the element of the unknown) or how one can embrace an opportunity to visit new places and enjoy new experiences.
We’ll be rolling towards Jama after breakfast, with a stop in Bahia de Caraquez so that Michelle can meet Miguelito. I suspect that it will be a case of love at first sight, but Michelle will have to realize that he’s too old for her!
Bahia’s oldest resident, MIGUELITO.
Stay tuned! Z
Oh, I don’t know. He looks VERY interested. Age may not matter. Fun trip and fun stuff. Thanks for the day-brightener! 🙂
We had a great interaction with Miguelito, who is now 106 years young! It’s been great introducing Michelle to my friends as we travel through the province. More soon I hope! Z
Z, I have noticed that people around you are either smiling or concentrating on something new and different. You are like the Pied Piper. Well done, my friend. BTG
You made me chuckle! Thanks! As long as I don’t kidnap the locals and lead them into or through the river, I will gladly accept the role of the Pied Piper of Smiles!
I think they trust you enough to know you will lead them on an interesting journey.
It looks like you are having a great time with Michelle exploring and experiencing. I love that photo of San Juan Del Sur.
Michelle and I have been reminiscing about SJDS; it’s a unique little spot on Nicaragua’s Pacific coast, though I’m not sure what the canal project will do to it, as well as so many unique areas (like isla ometepe)
Know wonderful to connect with an old friend, and then the bonus of making a new one!
Enjoy your time together,
It has been so great seeing Michelle again and swapping stories and ideas while she absorbs the local colors of Ecuador’s coastal areas. We’ll head to the highlands/andes this weekend. Time’s going way too fast!
How wonderful to have a friend visiting! Have fun!
hi cindy! yes, it’s been fun taking a week off and being a tourist with michelle. being from new york, she’s also enjoying the warm climate and the equally-warm waters of the pacific ocean!
Hey lisa — Such a yummy post. We’ll be heading back to Morocco in early April where we have a home (known) and everything else (unknown.) Thanks for warming up my Monday morning. Your post goes well with Tomas’ coffee ♥ Alia
hey amiga
you’re surely anxious to return to your beloved morocco, though probably torn about saying goodbye to your loved ones. enjoy the rest of your time there, and yes, enjoy those many options for coffee on the western side of the usa!
Hello Michelle, nice to meet you! Enjoy your time in Ecuador and our friend Z, whom we love! This will be a vacation that you’ll never forget – have a beautiful week.
michelle and i were traveling between ‘tourist spots’ and i read your comment to her! thanks, she loves that others are aware of her time here in ecuador. will be posting an update soon, but today is serious timeout for art – a small watercolor in progress while she’s touring the area with friends.
Have a wonderful time – looking forward to seeing your watercolor!
What a great small, wonderful world you inhabit.
you would love the beautiful people of the area and the many photo ops. thanks, amiga!
Are those your new red San Juan del Sur shoes? 🙂
you made me chuckle out loud!
Hola Miguelito! Look he’s smiling! Isn’t it great to see an old friend again? Have a great visit with Michelle. And, I wonder if Bob is right? Are those your San Juan del Sur shoes for Semana Santa? lol
ja.. bob just wrote a ‘retort’ about the red shoes as well
1 gave me a chuckle.
am in canoa tonight with michelle.. we’ve had a very full day!
We hope you and your friend have a great visit together. Thank you for this post. Lovely images and thoughts (as usual!)
hey from jama.. michelle is having a great visit, and i am being the official paparazzi to record a pictorial of her time in ecuador. i need to take a timeout to work on more photos, but there’s a painting waiting my attention for an ‘event’ at the bahia museum on thursday. not sure on details, as they seem to keep changing as to who/what/when — as of now, ten in the morning at the museum… i think it will be a special exhibit of paintings with lots of color, and the mano spiral will be in the exhibit….
Too Old. Funny 😉
This looks like a most excellent visit, Lisa. Enjoy. (do I really need to tell you that?)
wish you could be tagging along with us! yes, we’re having a great week, and time’s going by way too fast…
Ha! Don’t I wish too! 😉
How fortunate for Michelle to have you as guide and companion, Lisa. You got some great snapshots of her… which she’ll appreciate having for all the great memories she’s collecting. 🙂