When setting out on a journey, do not seek advice from those who have never left home. ~ Rumi
Ecuador’s Andes: Eastern Slope – Cosanga – Western Slope -Mindo — Having just returned from a ten-day trip to the eastern side of Ecuador, I chuckled when I read Judy Edwards‘ Thought For the Day, shared above.
My friend Susana had often mentioned their ‘little cabaña’ tucked in a quiet area somewhere on the ‘Eastern Slope” of the Andes in the Napo Province, gateway to the Amazon. Over the past year, she’s been fine-tuning details for a birding tour for a group of ladies from the USA and had asked if I’d help during their time at their Cabana El Aliso. The tour would start on March 1st in Quito, end on March 10th in Mindo, with lots of great experiences in between.

Cosanga area landscape
Of course! I would love to help! I looked forward to seeing their cabaña and the surrounding landscape, but first needed to take care of my life on the Pacific side. While in Jama, I received an email from Susana regarding plans for the week before the birding tour.
“…hopefully we can travel to la Cabaña El Aliso. How about Friday, Feb. 24th? This weekend (25-28) is Carnaval and I would like to spend these days in the Cabaña. Can you come with us.” –

Between Baeza and Cosanga
I traveled from the coast to Mindo on the 22nd, unpacked boxes from Casa Loca on the 23rd, repacked and left for El Aliso on the 24th! We drove from Quito past the Papallacta Thermal Springs area, to Baeza and on to Cosanga. Their property is about 15 more kilometers from Cosanga along a less-traveled gravel road. When we pulled into the parking area of their ‘little cabaña,’ I smirked. “That’s not quite what I expected!”
Their cabaña is part of an 80-hectare property which has trails, rivers and even a small blackberry patch! There were birds I’d never seen before, so settling in was a joyful sensory overload!

Susana and Marco at their El Aliso property.
Two couples – neighbors of Susana and Marco – joined us for the relaxed Carnival weekend at El Aliso. Marco took us for an end-of-day stroll along one of the well-tended trails which immersed us in a living stage of primal growth.

The last hour of the day provided dramatic effects on the darkening forest.

Name that Bird! — Birds of Ecuador
The next day we walked a short distance to the river, which borders the western end of their property.

Posing at the caretaker’s house!

Easy Trek to the River
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

Daniel and Veronica live the the petite caretaker’s house. Their three sons range from 8 years to six months.

Meet Jordan, age 4…

And here dashes Rudy, age 8…

Susana, Veronica and Jordan walk between the community greenhouse and the property. Note that Veronica uses a ‘hands-free’ bag.

Rudy sizes up the gringa who stepped onto a page of his storybook life!
Veronica showed us the steps for making ‘maita,’ a seasoned trout wrapped in specia leaves and then smoked on coals or baked in an oven.
Between tasks, I visited with Rudy, Jordan and their cousin…

He stole my heart!
After the long holiday weekend, we had a two-day break before the Pachamama Birdwatchers Journey began. What a great group of women! That story – and others – will follow soon.

The Pachamama Birdwatchers Tour with guide and driver…
Thanks to all of you who left such beautiful comments in the last post about Marcos Cevallos. I will be answering your comments soon.
Friends wrote to say that President Correa made another visit to Jama and spoke with the locals, including Marcos. Hopefully there will be relief for those who remain in limbo.
In a five-week period, I was home only two nights; I am writing from home base of Mindo during another short break before the tour group arrives tomorrow. I’d best rest while I can!
More soon! Z
Wow, thanks for taking us along on that journey! Oh, and I so agree with the quote on top!!
Thank you for taking the cyber journey with us! Yes, it’s comforting to spend time with the intrepid ones, who strike out into the forest – especially when some are a bit ‘bird crazy’ in pursuit of a closer look!
Haha! That’s what makes them lovable, right?
:))
Welcome home! Hogar dulce hogar! Looking forward to more news of this and other adventures. JandM
Thank you! It was nice seeing a different climate and of course those amazing birds.. Spending time with those two boys weas fun as well!
O Lisa! That trip looks lovely and oh the birds…I can’t wait to see the Pachamama Bird Watchers pictures…wow. I also love this quote..so true. “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener.
Thank you Gwen! Yes, the birds were so much fun; when I was there alone, they landed on the porch railing, the windows, the clothes line and foraged for the buffet of light-seeking insects.
Daniel’s father is a shaman, but he lives about 4 hours from that area.. perhaps next time!
If that’s her “little” cabana I would love to see the big one! But what a beautiful place — and such happy people.
Si! It was also nice being removed from cel and cyber communications – it’s easy to reconnect to our earth when one has an environment of peace and quiet and total immersion in nature!
A life well travelled! Adventures embraced without hesitation. How fortunate we all are you share with the lot of us who do rest our heads on our own pillows most nights!
Hey Amiga! Thanks, and I’m glad you enjoyed the journey! It’s nice having you as an invisible copilot!
I love each of these quotes and every single photograph! What an adventure! Welcome home, Lisa.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the journey! Too bad we can’t get that magic carpet to zoom up there and take you on your own adventure to the equator! It was cold there, but in the daytime when the sun was out, it was ‘perfect.’
What a wonderful trip, Lisa! I especially liked the ‘forest primeval’…
Thanks, Anne! Yes, stepping into that forest was like stepping into a faery tale!!! My creative ideas went in many directions!
Thank you for a great post. I can’t wait to read about the birding group!
Thaks! That group of Pachamamas is a great one! They were always smiling and extremely positive.. it will be good to see them again when they reach Mindo!
what a wonderful trip 🙂 We had an exciting evening last night. The caciques are getting ready to migrate and we literally saw hundreds in the trees around San Clemente. Amazing
how great — hopefully you took some photos and will share that story with us!!!!
Lisa — What an opportunity! I was amazed at some of the photos — how much the scenery reminded me of places I’ve been in California. The coastal road, for example, reminded me of Hwy 101 just north of Los Angeles. And the forested drive through the mountains could very well be right out of a scene along I-5 between Redding and Mt. Shasta! However, the birds are totally different. A green jay — imagine that! Waiting to see more birds. What a magnificent spot on the Earth!
Isn’t it comforting when something strikes a strong chord in our senses?
That ‘green jay’ has so many amazing colors, especially the play of blue against the yellow, so its name surprised me..
Beautiful experience! I so understand how you must love your country.
oh yes, and it’s still my loss that i did not get to meet you when you were in the country!
I was thinking of you while we were there, but realized it would have been practically impossible…I would have loved meeting you though…
Wow! I love the little cabana and the description of their storybook life. You have traveled into another world. Can’t wait to read all about the tour.
you definitely understand about those unique cultural experiences.. they are there for anyone to appreciate, but some of us seem to thirst for a closer inspection than others!
What a wonderful place.
Alison
yes, it’s a beautiful area of the country; thank you, amiga!
Such beauty in the scenery and the eyes of the people. Thanks you,Z, for capturing it for us to share.
yes, Ecuador is a beautiful country with many micro climates as well as many different cultures. one is never bored here!
Lo and behold, a fellow board member from the Clear Lake Chapter of the Native Plant Society’s on your tour — and a couple others whom I know. Chris and I met in a field where she was looking for milkweed. What could be better? Have fun — wish I could be there, too.
I just came back to read your whole post, and enjoy your photos. I was surprised to find that I know the woman in your last photo. The world feels smaller all the time!
how great, and yes, either they knew you or knew of you!!!!
tis a small and very sweet world!
yes! those six ladies are amazing, and i was hoping to surprise you with a post w/a photo of all of the ladies! we had a fun chat about how they know you, how one was in the field and not sure if she should.. and then you drove up, stopped, got out… and she thought, ‘oh no.. i’m in trouble..’
but never would you deliver ‘trouble.’
‘she’s a wonderful photographer too..’ and i said, ‘and a very talented writer…’ etcetc..
they will reach mindo this afternoon.. i’ve been here since sun night but am fighting that nagging cough that visits every few years…
LISA! I have a new email. lamisolegran@gmail.com thanks Gwen
Linda, Shoreacres above, brings to a finite point that we do indeed live in a small world!
Lisa, what a wonderful trip and I too look forward to the next installment of birds! Been scarce on the internet of late and I am trying to make amends. ❤
Sometimes our lives allow us fringe-benefit times, and sometmes not… It’s always great to see you here, and one of these days we’ll coordinate a Mississippi Alabama meeting!
I would love that, Lisa.
What a fabulous break, Lisa! Happy travels 🙂
Thanks! I haven’t gotten over to see where ‘we’re’ trekking this week… Wait for me, I’ll be pulling up the rear soon!!!!!
Rest up, indeed!!! What a delightful whirlwind adventure that celebrated beautiful surroundings, friendships, and team endeavours. Oh, I do love stopping by!! Hugs and love coming your way.
ha! yes, it was a lovely new area to experience, and a joy to share that with all of you too.
I love having you stop by as well, dear Amiga!
I felt like I was the one exploring here Lisa.. so loved my journey with you all.. What a wonderful family.. And delighted to see those exotic birds too.. Such lush scenery. And always Happy Smiling Faces… Just beautiful ❤
thank you… ecuador has so many facets, and they are all lovely!
Their people are remarkable 🙂 as are you.
Good to see you Z! Loved going on this fascinating journey with you – can’t help but see the smiling faces first, the wonderful scenery second, and the birds they are great, best is your writing that allows us to participate. Very special.
Thank you, Mary… sometimes there are so many experiences, it’s hard to lasso them while the memories re still strong and vivid.
Oh, to be alive and in touch with all of the senses.. it is truly a gift, isn’t it?
I love the Green Jay on the clothesline, and the kids, and the cooking, and it looks like a wonderful time so I’m happy for you Lisa!
you definitely are due some similar experiences… may the green jay of beauty alight on your clothesline as well!
Wow, small world with Linda knowing that woman – I love it.
yes! linda just left a comment that she met up with two of the ‘Pachamamas’ now that they are back in Texas… small small world!
What a beautiful escape! Your pictures and descriptions made me want to be there– now!
ha! i wish i could send the magic carpet and transport you here NOW! thanks!
You mentioned you had spent only 2 nights at home in a 5 week period, but, Lisa, you seem to move so calmly from place to place, that surely this saying applies to you ‘Ubi bene, ibi patria – which is sometimes translated as where I feel good, there is my homeland. You seem to greet everywhere you go with enthusiasm and joy, and the everywhere and everyone respond in kind..
thank you! si, it seems that everywhere i go, there’s an ease in adjusting/adapting.. it’s a switch of gears, sometimes up and sometimes down – but if it’s not the human experience, it’s an intense one with nature…. i’m honored that my presence oftentimes gives comfort to others… i am blessed, even here on wordpress! thank you dear friend/!
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Hardly a “little cabaña,” was it?
Glad you made the connection with people Linda knows from Texas.