Most every morning I awaken with a plate-full of dreams still lingering in my psyche. They war at times with lucid thoughts, and I question, “Where do these thoughts come from?” (Perdon, but “from where do these thoughts arise,” just doesn’t flow well!)
(Ecuadorian Thrush) As I inspect my awakening thoughts, the thrush is the official Inspector of the Gardens.
This morning a cyber headline from last week played over and over, much like a banner running nonstop across a viewing screen. “Monsanto charged with Crimes Against Humanity” and I wondered just what crimes are named or if it was a headline to prompt visits to the site. Without being online for the ease of a search tool, I decided the most-obvious reason might be connected to Agent Orange and its use in the Vietnam War.
In 2011, Bob Ramsak of Piran Cafe wrote about his visit to “Thanhxuan Peace Village, or Lang Hoa Binh Than Xuan, an orphanage, school and clinic in Hanoi set up specifically for victims of Agent Orange. It was also the last time I sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star before an appreciative audience.”Continue reading →
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!) Continue reading →
Who’s that guy looking down from the Basilica? It’s Bob Ramsak of Piran Cafe!!!!
Silvana of Monoaulladorand I were delighted to say “WELCOME BACK!” to our WordPress pal, Bob Ramsak (Piran Cafe) today in Quito. Bob’s trail brought him through the Jama area two years ago as he traveled (overland) from Argentina to Chile, Bolivia, Peru and on to Ecuador on his way through the Americas. The following post summarized WEEK 18 as he finished the Ecuador leg of his journey: BOOTLEg BARBIES, AN INAUGURATION, A MARCH AGAINST MONSANTO, AND THE COOLEST FLOOR IN THE WORLD.
So who is Bob? His “About Page” offers a great summary: “I’ve visited 54 countries and roam often as a writer, editor and translator, but Piran Café is not a travel blog. It’s evolved into a notebook, a collection of experiences and moments, long and short, connected and propelled by my primary passions: travel, art, culture and justice. When they and I cross paths, you’ll find some of the results here.”
The true gift is to visit with Bob in person, where he taps into his thought-provoking reservoir of knowledge and shares stories that range from world-class sporting events to the dangers of street photography. SURVIVING A STREET ASSAULT IN POTOSI or THE DANGERS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY The posts are great, but the stories in person are even better! Continue reading →
Working late on research about Ecuadorian mammals, I was delighted when an email from Bobarrived tonight! He is alive but not real well; the doctors in Costa Rica have him back on the road to recovery. He thinks he picked up a nasty food-born bug in Columbia. We should be hearing from him in a few days, but for now he’s resting and regaining his strength.
Bob “PiranCafe” and Miguelito/Galapagos Turtle/Ecuador
(Oops! Slow internet and power outages can frustrate one’s day, and both contributed to this post that was anxious to leap from the starting gate. The Preview and Publish buttons are too close together when one is working on a mini laptop! After the false start, it took another half hour to return to the edit page! For the next hour, I failed at uploading any new images. I resumed, worked with archive photos, and then the ‘Publish’ function would not work! And then the page wouldn’t open. And the email wouldn’t work. Hobbling along, I”m hopeful to send this now! . . . Shall we continue?)
My father once stated, “Imagine how empty your life would be if no one called or came by.”
Every so often those words of wisdom echo back during specific moments, usually when society interrupts my day one time too many, and then I remember his words and am honored to have people in my life who care. On rare occasions my antennae tweak toward others when their usual habits suddenly change, which is what’s happened with Bob.
Bob Ramsak, our WP globe-trotting reporter, started his 18-month round-the-world journey in January 2013. Working his way north north north from the tip of Argentina to the equator, (@Week 18!) he is now somewhere in Central America between Boquete Panama and Costa Rica.
Bob meeting Miguelito, a Galapagos turtle in Bahia de Caraquez.
I’m talking about Bob, who schedules drafts to publish when he is in transit… Bob, who has been publishing shots of daily newspaper stands. Bob, who updates his location more promptly than a Timex! Bob, who was supposed to leave Boquete last week and is still ‘pending’ (Top right on his homepage.) there in Boquete!
Inquiring minds want to know: Bob, are you going to choke me for my concern, or will you remind yourself that I care and hope that you’re ok?!! Hopefully you’re out there and will approve of this post and the music!
Bob at lookout – Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
Sisters Vania and ‘Silvana escort Bob via trek to the petite village of Amacora Ecuador.
Stepping back in time. Amacora Ecuador
Here’s Bob’s weekly recap from the time he spent along the line of the equator: Bootleg Barbies, Inauguration, Monsanto, Coolest Floor in the World.
Bob’s visit to the Riverhouse and the Magic Carpet Hand-painted Floor!
Bob had plans to meet friends and family in Costa Rica, so I hope he’s tied up with reunions; it still seems odd that he hasn’t posted an update.
Have any of you heard from him this past week? A tweet, a like, a reply to a comment? I’m considering firing up the flying carpet and starting a search party.
Bob “PiranCafe” and Miguelito/Galapagos Turtle/Ecuador
(Oops! Slow internet and power outages can frustrate one’s day, and both contributed to this post that was anxious to leap from the starting gate. The Preview and Publish buttons are too close together when one is working on a mini laptop! After the false start, it took another half hour to return to the edit page! For the next hour, I failed at uploading any new images. I resumed, worked with archive photos, and then the ‘Publish’ function would not work! And then the page wouldn’t open. And the email wouldn’t work. Hobbling along, I”m hopeful to send this now! . . . Shall we continue?)
My father once stated, “Imagine how empty your life would be if no one called or came by.”
Every so often those words of wisdom echo back during specific moments, usually when society interrupts my day one time too many, and then I remember his words and am honored to have people in my life who care. On rare occasions my antennae tweak toward others when their usual habits suddenly change, which is what’s happened with Bob.
Bob Ramsak, our WP globe-trotting reporter, started his 18-month round-the-world journey in January 2013. Working his way north north north from the tip of Argentina to the equator, (@Week 18!) he is now somewhere in Central America between Boquete Panama and Costa Rica.
Bob meeting Miguelito, a Galapagos turtle in Bahia de Caraquez.
I’m talking about Bob, who schedules drafts to publish when he is in transit… Bob, who has been publishing shots of daily newspaper stands. Bob, who updates his location more promptly than a Timex! Bob, who was supposed to leave Boquete last week and is still ‘pending’ (Top right on his homepage.) there in Boquete!
Inquiring minds want to know: Bob, are you going to choke me for my concern, or will you remind yourself that I care and hope that you’re ok?!! Hopefully you’re out there and enjoyed the selection of music…
Bob at lookout – Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador
Sisters Vania and ‘Silvana escort Bob via trek to the petite village of Amacora Ecuador.
Stepping back in time. Amacora Ecuador
Here’s Bob’s weekly recap from the time he spent along the line of the equator: Bootleg Barbies, Inauguration, Monsanto, Coolest Floor in the World.
Bob’s visit to the Riverhouse and the Magic Carpet Hand-painted Floor!
Bob had plans to meet friends and family in Costa Rica, so I hope he’s tied up with reunions; it still seems odd that he hasn’t posted an update.
Have any of you heard from him this past week? A tweet, a like, a reply to a comment? I’m considering firing up the flying carpet and starting a search party.
Bob “PiranCafe” and Miguelito/Galapagos Turtle/Ecuador
Russel Ray Photos called my attention to World Turtle Day, and then Bob of www.pirancafe.com posted an image of Miguelito, a Galapagos turtle, in honor of the day, so I am posting a photo of Bob taking a photo of Miguelito! See Bob’s post about Miguelito HERE!
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 