Tags
absinthe in ecuador, altitude of quito, araza, Bob Ramsak, chocho, eugenia stipitata, jama ecuador, lupine, quinoa, steve swartzman
Bus Ride to Quito – ZZZZZZZZ – dawn awakens!
Last month a large landslide blocked the normal route between Quito and the hub city of Santo Domingo. The bus detour adds about three hours to the ‘normal’ 7-hour ride between Quito and Jama where I live. After an overnight stop in Santo Domingo, I reached the Pacific Coast late yesterday and happily checked in to Hostal Ciragan. I all but collapsed with ‘bus fatigue.’
The Crazy Hubbub of Santo Domingo de los Colorados
The Jama streets held puddles (lagoons?) of water at every corner, and I was pleased to know that I did not have to race home to water a thirsty garden. Tapping into a healthy internet system was a second bonus for spending the evening in town. I remembered what my Colorado friends had mentioned; its nice to get caught in a rain shower and not get cold! After a few hours’ rest, I tipped out on the almost-deserted streets and enjoyed a quiet visit with my friends at Palo Santo Cafe. No, I did not get cold; in fact, I jogged there and back and did not get sweaty either! (My cough is much better!)
Jama is usually a quiet town…
This morning the soft sound of drizzle nudged me to ‘stay put,’ for which I was grateful; not long after a strong shower pounded the roof. I enjoyed reading posts I’ve missed, and caught one treasure: Bob Ramsak posted a summary of a food ‘Event’ we attended last month in Quito.
Tasting Organic Chocolate and Absinthe on a Friday Night in Quito: an Expo Alimentar 2015 Notebook
And to answer your question, “No; I declined the complimentary sample of absinthe – I was not well during that period, and I was also adjusting to Quito’s altitude of over 9,000-feet!” I did enjoy the chocolates and was totally captivated by the “Miracle Berry.” I agree with Bob – it’s a lazy name for such an incredible and unique culinary sleeper.
Bob, you covered this event so much better than I could have; you raise the bar on responsible reporting and have taught me a lot. Thanks!
Quinoa: lovely for the eyes, healthy for the body!
Next I’ll nudge you to a thread of conversation between Steve Schwartzman and me; Steve’s photo of the “best-known wildflower in Texas” (the bluebonnet) set off a dialog that morphed from bluebonnets to lupines to ‘chochos’ to lima beans to butter peas to “..Phaseolus lunatus is of Andean and Mesoamerican origin. ..” and finally to a very exotic fruit, Arazá (Eugenia_stipitata) that is found in random gardens in Ecuador…. Quinoa was also part of that conversation! Here’s the thread if you’re interested in botanical trivia. BEST KNOWN WILDFLOWER IN TEXAS.
Mature quinoa with a few lupine (chocho) flowers (extreme lower left)… (Near Otavalo Ecuador)
If you’ve not visited Portraits of Wildflowers, you’re missing a daily treat of up-close-and-personal portraits of wildflowers in Texas and other areas Steve visits. Check out his Spanish-English Word Connection site as well; here’s a start: Quinqui .
The rains have passed, and it’s time I get rolling! Rio Jama will surely be muddy, and it’s time to go home and say, “Hello” to the birds!
Friends Natalia and Nicolas watch Rio Jama-Brava; May 2013….
I’m still working on wedding photos, and I’m about to return to slllllllllow Claro internet! More soon! Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Thanks for posting those links, Lisa.
Your posts are visual tonics each day; the spanish-english is a brain workout for me – thanks, as it helps keep the brain fit! I enjoyed swapping trivia and learning more, thanks to your help!
For close to a quarter of a century I’ve used the phrase “visual delights,” and now I can add “visual tonic.” As for my Spanish-English blog, who can deny that etymology is a boon for the brain?
I don’t always comment b/c of the slow connection, but I always appreciate the Spanish lessons and trivia.
Given that you appreciate trivia, then yesterday’s photo of Rubus trivialis must have been just the thing for you:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/crinkled-take-2/
I just wait for you to speak…
HA! This is funny, because I wrote these words earlier in the draft for the next post: *(Shhhhhh! Let’s stop the chit-chat, sit down and enjoy the wedding!)
The photo of the kids is really nice – I wonder what their young minds must have been thinking. My body and brain have never understood how someone can adjust to 9,000 feet altitude. I know one can adapt, but visiting Addis Ababa which is ‘only’ about 7,500 feet took quite a toll on me.
I have finally learned to go in slow mode for several days, drink lots of water and -ha- go in slow mode… i often forget and run up several flights of stairs or walk uphill carrying way too much baggae.. and then i pay for it for another few days.
Taking the opportunity to relax and stay put while raining comes pouring down, seems to be a great idea. Any detour or delay is just another opportunity to experience something one hadn’t expected, no!? Hope everything is well back at Jama.
oh yes, it’s nice to throw on the brakes and take a break. we’ve had three rain showers today!
Amazing photos & post!
Thanks, Cindy; the quinoa is especially pretty right before harvest. I will be looking for better images of the lupines…
The quinoa and lupines are beautiful. I am a big fan of Steve’s site, too.
Oh I really did not like bus rides when in Costa Rica. I remember mud slides too.
oh yes, costa rica gets lots and lots of rain!
i don’t think my comment to your ‘raptor’ post ever got through. internet’s too slow, but i’ll be back when possible. z
Ten hours on the bus??? No wonder you were bus weary. Glad to hear you are home again and enjoying skipping in the rain. 🙂
Ha! We had three ‘showers’ today, and it’s been nice just resting and inspecting what’s changed in the week-plus that I’ve been gone. Presently it’s blissfully quiet; the crickets are chirping and several species of birds are chattering in the mangroves.
Thanks Z for the recommendations and keeping us apprised of your excursions. Glad you efforts were awarded with friends and good internet service to reach out to distant friends. BTG
Your life is an adventure. Stop fighting it. 🙂
Thanks again for the shout out. Hoping to make it in your direction the week after next. Too many things keep popping up and now I feel as though I’ll soon be out of time. But I WILL make the time.
so glad to hear you’re feeling better, thanks for the links, very interesting, love and hugs amiga
thanks! the student exposition went well last night, and i spent the morning sketching artifacts! – well after a nice bowl of encebollado at my favorite spot across from the museum!