Tall building: Museo Bahia de Caraquez – (Ecuador)
May 19, 2016 – Ecuador
The opening exposition for my recent paintings was scheduled for May 18 at the Museo Bahia de Caraquez. Last month’s earthquake hurled the entire coast into a survival mode, and the show will eventually resume at a much-later date/year.
It will be a very long time before the people on the coast recover; thank you again for your concerns and your empathy for everyone affected.
That original date was the International Day of Museums, and I would have been ‘hanging’ the show on the 17th, spending the night at the museum and preparing for that evening event on the 18th. The memory of the earthquake has etched itself into the fibers of the country, and one month later – just when things began to seem better, another strong earthquake rattled many Ecuadorians out of a deep sleep.
My friend Cynthia was spending a few nights at the Rio Cinto property, and we spent the next hour in the pickup truck as we pieced together live radio reports to find more information. The 6.7 earthquake hit the same area as the one that devastated the coastal area a month ago.
We realized that one’s Spanish skills improve when listening with acute attention to rapid-fire Spanish on late-night radio. Lots of callers were phoning the stations to report their experiences. After listening for over an hour, we decided to retreat to the house and go back to sleep. For the next two days, we hoped that all was OK on the coast. Now online, I see that two more earthquake hit that same day:
Recent Quakes-Bahia de Caraquez —-
I am not sure if the above information is correct, and all’s fine here in Mindo. I send my empathy to those on the coast, as you are surely wondering, ‘When will this end?’
All is fine here in the cloud forest of Mindo/Rio Cinto, but wanted to send an update.
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
How much more can the people take??? It is overwhelming to me. I am sorry your exposition was canceled, Lisa, but I look forward to your post when everything returns to a “somewhat” normal routine.
I read your comment later, and it made me cry. Yes, how much more can people take?!!!
I have a dear friend in Manta…she is staying, her home and her heart are there and she is helping a bunch of other families with basics right now.
thank you for your feedback; your friend sounds quite special, and the others there in manta surely appreciate her support.
Oh, Lisa! I’m so glad to hear that you are safe, but I’m sure your emotions are all over the place, worrying and speculating about how friends are coping on the coast. I send my love and good thoughts that things will be settled down soon!
you are right.. i think sometimes that it’s harder on those who are worried from afar than the ones on the front line. the worry builds up, and some little something will trigger tears, and i know that i’m fooling myself by saying ‘all’s fine.’ needless to say, i am not painting much – but wow, i can pull weeds and shohvel dirt like a pro1
From what I’ve read, both the damage and the injuries were minimal. Apparently there was one death, though reports vary on whether it was directly or indirectly associated with the quake. There were some injuries, too — primarily of people who were fleeing buildings. A couple of larger buildings in Pedernales were reported to have suffered new damage, but much damage was secondary collapse of buildings already damaged and abandoned. I’ve only read online reports, of course. You may have better information by this time.
Knowing that aftershocks are common doesn’t help. I’m sure the larger ones, especially, create a good bit of anxiety. What amazes me is that I hadn’t heard one word about this on the “news.” Everything here was related to the loss of the Egyptair plane, or the interminable, ghastly, insufferable presidential campaign. (Hmmmm… I think my opinions are showing. Remember when we used to worry if our slips were showing?)
One positive aspect of having your showing postponed is that, a little farther down the road, there will be more people able to take the time to come, and appreciate it. Until then? Take care. Breathe. Watch the birds. We’re thinking of you.
“(Hmmmm… I think my opinions are showing. Remember when we used to worry if our slips were showing?)” You are so funny, and this provided a much-needed and unexpected chuckle!
My friend Cynthia, who also has ties to that area, and I agree that in order to truly undestand the damage, one must see it in person. When I do, of course there will be updates and updates.
Thanks so much, and I just realized that last week the Egypt air was breaking news, and today there is nothing mentioned in the top headlines. Thanks for the reminder… willload some stories and read them when back at the property.
Great post Lisa!
I think many will be surprised to hear about all the earthquake activity we have been having since the “big one”. I’m still not clear whether these are new earthquakes or simply aftershocks of the 7.8.
Before going to bed Tues. night, I took off my ring and put it on the nightstand by my bed. I didn’t realize when I packed today, that I didn’t put it on again. I’m thinking that it fell to the floor and not seeing it, didn’t think about it. I didn’t realize I didn’t have it on until I dressed for bed just a while ago. If you would be so kind to look for it around the nightstand, and put it in safekeeping, I would be most appreciative!!! I always wear it unless I’m sleeping, in the woods, or drumming! 🙂 It feels so awful to be separated from it, since I designed and owned it since 1988! It must have slid off the nightstand for me to have neglected putting it back on while packing this afternoon.
I hope you will be having a really great time till your next visit to the big town of Mindo. I enjoyed our visit to the max. Am reading “One River” tonight, and so far it is wonderful. I’m really interested in Colombia, and the descriptions are very colorful. I love it!
Take good care, Love, Cyn
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Searching for your ring will be top priority when I get back to the property. I hope that it did a little salsa during the earthquake and is now awaiting discovery.
Thanks for the update. I do hope it’s over at least for a long while! And I also hope your show is a huge success — as it should be.
thanks, hugh, we all hope that the earth is on its best behavior for a long time. it certainly gave many people a big wakeup call, and it also made us aware of our many blessings. when back on the coast, i’ll probably be working with the museum on some ‘grief therapy’ art projects. that would be much more beneficial to all….
How frightening for you all. I hope this one did minimal damage, and especially hope no lives lost. We bear you in our thoughts.
thank you from across the pacific! we often say, ‘no news is good news’ and hopefully that’s true for last week’s big quakes. i hope that the entire planet is on good behavior, earthquake wise, for a long time.
Happy to hear you are safe Lisa. I worry, as I’m sure many of you do, how much more damage the coast can take before it collapses. Hopefully there is a good evacuation plan in place should that day come.
Those who are enduring the quakes, witnessing the cleanup (it has to be hard to see the way things are just wiped away) and trying to stay brave and strong has to take its toll on health, even if it shows up later on the back side… Thank you so much for your feedback.
I could not believe it when the news reported 2 more earthquakes in the same region of Ecuador. Our news said that there was minimal damage but I’m sure all that is relative to the first earthquake. I’m sorry your art exhibit had to be postponed. I’m keeping your friends on the coast in my prayers. I love u, K
Dear sweet Karen! Thanks for your sensitive comment, and I am sure you would be heartbroken if you lived in the area and knew those affected. It’s been quite difficult – absorbing the visual as well as hearing the stories of death and suffering. It will take a very long time for the area to recover, and emotionally, who knows if they will ever mend. Love, Lisa
I happened to be scanning a Spanish language TV website in California (a friend of mine who was the station’s general manager for 12 years had just died and I wanted to see what they had to say about her) when I also saw that more earthquake activity was happening in Ecuador. It’s not been reported much on non-Spanish news outlets here because a) people with a deep interest in Ecuador are not that numerous in the US and b) aftershocks don’t get much attention unless they are really huge, i.e. approaching the intensity of the original temblor. Sad to say, aftershocks can go on for years, but usually do diminish in intensity. As a former resident of California for decades, I had my share of earthquakes to deal with, the worst being the Northridge quake of 1994. Every time I hear about big quakes and lots of death and damage I’m taken right back to 1994 and all the feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness come right back like it was yesterday. Hoping for the best for you and those near to you as you get through this.
you are so right with the term,’feelings of powerlessness.” when i lived in costa rica, there were a lot of quakes, so i am pretty ok when i experience one – but to have been through one (or more) where buildings crumble, people die, communication is lost – one realizes how frail and fragile we all are.
thank you so much for your heartfelt comment, and for sharing the ‘how i found out’ story. my condolences in regards to your friend’s death.
My Dear Friend, We are so glad to know that you are safe. Any word about your place? I am watching airfares. If you have a new show date sometime perhaps that would work out. I agree with shore acres regarding more people will be able to attend once things settle back to somewhat normalcy. Enjoy your birds, wildlife, and all that Rio Cinto has to offer. Love you mucho. M
hi, and thanks for the feedback and support. i haven’t read linda’s comment yet (shoreacres) as i’m going through the queue now. i saw some notices that air fares were due to go down – ha, i won’t hold my breath. will let you know whenever the ‘event’ is rescheduled.
love you lots, amiga! z
Thanks for checking in, Lisa. When I heard the news of the most recent earthquake, I thought of you immediately. Sorry for the foul up of your exposition, but in the larger scope, a delayed show is minor, eh? Take good care.
oh si.. the delayed show is fine with me – no problem at all, and i was certainly glad to be in t he cloud forest and not high up in the musuem when the last quake hit. thank you1
You’ll get another date for your exposition Lisa, the most important thing is rotten old quake didn’t target your area. Fingers crossed that the dam things cease altogether.
thanks, and yes, hopefully the earth’s stress has been released, and the plates are balanced, and things will very slowly heal… those people who have endured all of the quakes all earn medals for bravery. you too, for facing any new dogs that approach you.
At least you can try and defend yourself from dogs. Sadly you can’t shut the door and keep an earthquake away.
Thanks for the update Lisa and pleased to hear you are ok. As Cynthia said we had no reports of further earthquakes in your area. I guess unless major loss of life is involved it is not sensational enough. My thoughts are with you.
Thanks so much for the update on the earthquakes and for letting us know you’re okay. I’m so sorry for all the upheaval and heartbreak. Take good care of yourself. Hugs xxx
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