Please join the sparrows in one minute of reflection…
“The earthquake was presaged by a magnitude 4.8 foreshock eleven minutes before the main quake struck,[19] and followed by over fifty-five aftershocks in the first twenty-four hours.[20]” – Wilkipedia
Jama/Manabi/Ecuador — This post is scheduled to be published on the one-year anniversary of the 4.8 earthquake that preceded the historic one that hit 11 minutes later. Imagine what it must have been like to wonder, “Did we just have an earthquake?” as the twilight faded into the night, and then be jolted into a nightmare that shattered the coastline.
El Matal – April 2015- destructive waves
April 2015 – end of day El Matal
This year, at 6:58 pm, the people of El Matal and Jama will release hand-made lanterns at the time the earthquake hit a year ago. I will witness the lantern release at El Matal and then attend the mass that follows in Jama.
Please join the sparrows in a moment of reflection, not only for those who are opening tender year-long wounds, but also in support for closing those wounds. May this also extend to all who are suffering worldwide, as love for our fellow man is greatly needed.
Below are images taken yesterday and last night at various events in honor of those affected in the Canton of Jama.
Stopping at the village of Don Juan, I asked for directions for the camping site for the Quito group that would perform that night. Each person I asked pointed me in a new direction!
“No.. they are not here… go arriba arriba…”
“No.. they are not here. Go back to the other end….”
“No..they are staying arriba at Bella Vista…” I started walking up -arriba to the next area…
The man who gave me directions cranked his tractor and gave me a ride to Bella Vista!
Lower end of Bella Vista…
Ah! Maybe that large white sheet is part of the set?
The kind chofer!!
The back road to Bella Vista
Leaving Bella Vista to resume the drive to Jama…
Jama – via back road.. children in a tree!
Do you see the children?!
On Saturday, April 15th at 7 pm, a small procession left the cemetery and walked Jama Avenue until they reached the church.
Few people knew of the ArtesXManabi event, and a ‘Fogata’ fire ritual was planned in town an hour after the mass. If they went 5 kilometers to the community of Don Juan/Bella Vista, they would miss the next part of the service.
I drove to Don Juan/Bella Vista, where the musicians were warming up.
Enrique Males
After Sayri W Cabascango’s formal welcome and introductions, the show began…
To learn more about the above event, go here: Las Artes Por Manabi
I am hopeful to capture the beauty of tonight’s lantern event. If so, I look forward to sharing those images soon!
Thanks again for your support and for your compassion for everyone on Ecuador’s coast. For those dear people, the new year begins just after sunset tonight.
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
and may there be blessings on this new year for them all. Thank you for sharing it with us Lisa.
Yes, it was a very special gathering, and hopefully this next year will be one of positive experiences…. Thank you!
Lisa, you are the most intrepid and sensitive documentarian I have ever run across. I so admire your tenacity, your spirit, and your soul!
Thank you for your encouragement and kind words.
Thank you so much for your comment, and forgive me for not replying sooner. you are a kind and very dear person!
Love you Lisa! You are the Lisa Appleseed of kind hearts.
As they say here, Igualmente… You are very dear as well… Thanks so much!
I had to look twice for the children in the trees 🙂 🙂 Sending love, Lisa!
Your comment made me smile! In fact, when I spotted those children, I parked and just smiled as they happily scrambled through the limbs… life does indeed go on….
I am glad (and sure everyone is) that it is already a year later. How loving people remembered those days!
yes; it’s heathy for everyone to honor the history, embrace it, grieve, and collectively move forward. thank you!
What a resilient, strong, and happy people surround you! It must have been devastating!
Last night I visited with a fatherr/daughter.. she is about 10 years old. I asked her where she was when the earthquake hit.. she was riding her bicycle about six or eight blocks from home… Her father was with her, and yes, they were scared as the ground buckled and houses fell into the street.. trees swayed back and forth…. but how lucky that her father was with her, and she didn’t have to peddle home alone….
How quickly—how relentlessly—time passes.
Oh yes, unless one is trying to sleep when a concrete housing project is underway abut ten feet from your bamboo cabana! they are working very long hours, including some type of rolling/packing machine that vibrates the entire area! but yes, time keeps rolling along…
No coincidence that the one-year anniversary landed on Easter Sunday! Brenda Hoffman’s message of the joy spark that was lit on Easter was amazing to read this morning. May any wounds that are still open from last year’s earthquake heal rapidly with the continuing rise in frequency. May all people everywhere be lifted up and know Joy! Thank you for your compassionate recording of this healing journey, Lisa.
Beautiful remembrance, Lisa. I look forward to your lantern post if it turns out.
As always, thank you for sharing with us. ❤
Thank you, for your continued support, all the way from way down south!!!!!
Thank YOU, Lisa! I love your posts, but have been very quiet for some time now… I’m trying to snap out of it.
no worries..we all have cycles and balances… you two have been through a lot, and sometimes we just need to get quiet – much like the new moon until it starts waxing toward full!
A profound journey. Remembrance has healing powers that lift the spirit and give courage to the road ahead. Wherever we are, our lives are intertwined within the story of humanity. We are active participants that pass through time and create personal narratives that give beauty to that overarching conversation. I do enjoy your posts. Hugs coming from Canada.
Thank you, as always. Yes, ‘wherever we are, our lives are intertwined within the story of humanity.’ For me, the more communities I know well, the richer my own tapestry, even in difficult times. Thank you, dear Amiga…
The first one year anniversary is always hard, and I can’t imagine what this anniversary must feel like. But I also respect that you include all those who are suffering – that is typical Lisa, encompassing the particular and the universal with ease. It’s good that you are there to lend support.
Thank you so much, and your own sweet support is appreciated. Thank you!
It’s hard to know what to say Lisa, words can never describe the experience that the people had that day. Maybe just ‘I’m thinking of you’ will be ok. xx
Yes, I think that’s a very acceptable phrase, and it means a lot to those who are existing — just to know that even a stranger in a faraway land might care… thank you!
One can only hope it will not strike twice in one’s lifetime.
si.. almost exactly one month later, another quake shook the country. i think it was considered an aftershock, but no matter why, it must have given the locals another big scare. thanks, paula!
Lisa, I have saved your posts until I had a chance to read them. This a profound journey that you and your beloved friends have been on. Thank you for sharing part of your journey.
hey!!! probably about four hours ago, when you left this comment, i was visiting with someone in jama and talking about ave tourism… he was scrolling through photos on his computer and pulled up some images of a nice hostal on rio chone about five kilometers out of bahia on the way to manta…. as he scrolled thru the images, i said, ‘whoa! stop stop! was that a photo of miguelito?”
yes! yes! miguelito is now in one of the best possible homes in the area! i have stayed there before, and there are old trees, lovely gardens, and the owners are exceptionally sweet and holistic to pachamama…
i thought of you immediately and knew you would share my joy!
OMG! That is fantastic news. I am so excited. Thanks, Lisa for letting me know Miguelito is safe.
Those folks are so nice, so holistic… I suspedct that Miguelito feels like he’s closer to home right there by the river…
I had the date in my diary when you had told me previously of this anniversary Lisa.. I Lit my candle in on my dressing table which is my make-shift alter… And said a silent prayer..
How good is it that people are willing to give you a lift to your destination Lisa.. And the photo’s you took brought the atmosphere of the place to life
So sad for so many who lost loved ones and everything.. And one year on still so much to do.. for many yet to rebuild.. ❤
Thank you, and the gentle strength you send via the candle surely reached many.
I believe all thoughts and prayers reach their destination given intent.. ❤ xxx Much Love
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Thank you, as always for your support!