“It’s here.. it’s back..”
El Matal/Jama Ecuador – Around 4:30 this morning, after peering into the pre-dawn seascape from my balcony perch at my friends’ home, I tipped downstairs and wondered whether to awaken Lesli or Becky or both. If I knocked on Becky’s door, the dog might start barking, so I tapped lightly on Lesli’s bedroom door.
“It’s here,” I said as if I were a child announcing the devil peering through my window. Or perhaps a dragon or some malevolent creature from a Stephen King novel.
Becky opened her door. “Are you OK?” she asked.
Seasoned veterans, they’ve learned the nuances of sounds that the ocean makes as it gauges its daily appetite. “It’s OK right now. We would hear the sound of the bags if they were falling.”
“But it looks like it’s reaching Paul and Cinzia’s house. It’s —“ I felt so silly, but my friends turned on the outside lights, which confirmed that the bags were in place. We stepped outside and stared quietly at the waves.
“What time is it?”
“I think around 4:30, “I sheepishly replied.
Becky checked the tide charts and said we were about half an hour from high tide.
Lesli, in her dry sense of humor, stated, “We’ve got a rookie in the house.”
We wondered what Linda was experiencing, as the municipality did a lot of work/rearranging the toppled rocks in the area near her home and Pat’s.
“Leroy and Shirley seem to be getting more water today,” Leslie stated, and we peered in the other direction as the water found its way back to the sea.
I don’t know how one can face this night after night, week after week, month after month – wondering if the next set of waves will break through the weakening defense. Some of the waves reverberate through the ground and shake this well-built home. How does one deal with the emotional and physical fatigue without having combat training?
Yes, this rookie tips her hat to the stoic ones who have been enduring this for two years. May today bring news of hope.
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Thanks for the chuckle this morning:)
Good morning; I thought that you and Pat might enjoy the story and maybe a tiny bit of stress would evaporate. Will be heading to your end soon w/camera in hand.
We all have waves in our lives… Such is Life… Good luck to All of you down there. ❤ .
I can imagine your trepidation of the encroaching powerful ocean.
Thanks for sharing. My prayers will stay with you.
A few more days, then a bit of calm. Best to you all.
Hang in there, all of you ! You’ll have a respite soon. After living here for almost 4 years now I can tell by the sounds of the ocean, even being 3 blocks away or so, on how the tide is behaving / misbehaving.
Ack, the suspense is killing me…I wish there were a way to tell Mother Nature to conform to our wishes, but…
It must be exhausting.
Wow, I felt like I was right there with you, tip toeing through the dark night with visions of water curling around my toes!
As the song goes “sometimes bad is bad”:- poor Pat, my heart goes out to her. If it’s any consolation, far worse land erosion disasters are going to happen all along the coast of Britain. Vast swathes of that historic coastline is going to be under the sea within a decade. I’m having to sell a property I’ve wasted 34 years of my life on, as there’s going to be no water or electricity. I scream with rage & frustration from time to time. People along the street hear me & it keeps potential thugs from breaking in! (Locals are a superstitious lot & afraid of insanity). I’m a very recoursful character normally but this looks like a hard one to overcome. After a cursory look at the scale of erosion on the beaches in Ecuador, I can only suggest government intervention in the form of land fill. Large scale dumping of unwanted hills & land mass:- they’re doing it in Japan & China. Otherwise there’s always demolishing the entire house & moving it. Maybe someone with a few acres to spare will let Pat have a corner to start building again. Sorry it’s a terrible idea as Pat probably doesn’t have millions to spare. How to salvage a disaster? I’d have to be there to understand the possibilities.
I’m hoping myself to sell my property for more than I paid for it before I built three houses on it. Doesn’t look as tho it’s goin to happen! I can only give Pat a metaphysical hug, from my own disaster zone in SubSaharan Africa. LovB
Thanks, and hopefully all will reach a oint when it’s calm and the homefront is one of comfort. Ditto for you!
Metaphysical hug gratefully received 🙂 I am sending one in return for your troubles – it seems there is no shortage of disaster zones. I sure hope yours has a happy ending – 32 years and three houses – heartbreaking!
thanks for replying, pat.. the tour group is somewhere between mindo and la division. they should be there around 1 for lunch, and many have read some of theh posts about el matal.. they send their concerns and sympathies, especially to you, who shared your story. thanks, celebrity! z
I can’t imagine how one would endure this for 2 years, either. They must be in a constant state of fright or flight.
It leaves me very sad as I witness show strong they’re all being. Like you, two years is a long time to be in combat mode.
Thanks for the “front lines” reporting Lisa. I cannot imagine two years of wondering if my house would be safe for another day and night. All the best and much love, Alia
Si, and staying on guard in caase it suddenly gets dangerous. Thank you for your empathy. Love, Z
It’s so interesting to get a glimpse into such a different world. This is so scary. Definitely hoping for a happy ending to what you all are having to endure.
Thank you amiga. You would interject some positive vibes if you were here. Thanks so much for your support. It means a lot to those who are battle weary.
I’ll definitely send positive vibes from here! I’ve been catching up on what’s been going on in your last several posts, and it is so sad. I could never imagine this destruction if I didn’t see the photos for myself. Good vibes… good vibes…