Between Holiday Events & Between High Tides

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, piedras el matal

After high tide – Entrance to Coco Beach Village – no longer serviceable…

El Matal Ecuador – Dec 26, 2014

When living on the front line of a beach threatened by spring tides, most people stay home during that critical high-tide hour to be sure there is no threat of flooding.  The high tides usually arrive with the new or full moon and hang around for a few days.   The first high tide of each month usually arrives in the pre-dawn hours and then at sunset; it arrives a bit later each day.  When staying at my friends’ home, I usually start peering outside around 4:30 in the morning.  By 5:30 I am able photograph what’s happening at sea level.

Dec 26, 2014 “Buenos Dias” – 5:58 in the morning!

6:11 a.m. Dec. 26 2014

While working on a holiday art project,  my friends and I kept a close eye on the waves.  On the second day of painting, I took a low-tide break and walked to the center area of El Matal.  Life goes on, and the spirit of the fishermen remains strong.  I was told, however, that “the people of El Matal are scared.”

A Celebration of Birds – El Matal (Ecuador)

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beauty of birds, El Matal Ecuador, Frigate birds, pellicans

El Matal, Ecuador (and Jama)
In contrast to the previous post that illustrates the vanishing beach and the work to protect the front line, these images showcase the amazing beauty of the frigates, pelicans, gulls and boobies of the area. (Yes, boobies!)

Pelican, Seagull and Frigate

(These photos were uploaded on Friday and scheduled to fly to you on the day of the December Solstice.   Enjoy!)  Z

Let’s crank the boats and fly with the birds!

El Matal – Trot Along With All Your Heart

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, High Tides El Matal, Large sand bags for coastal erosion

“Ok.. It’s not a sword…”

“Go back?” he thought. “No good at all! Go sideways? Impossible! Go forward? Only thing to do! On we go!” So up he got, and trotted along with his little sword held in front of him and one hand feeling the wall, and his heart all of a patter and a pitter.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

El Matal (Manabi Province) Ecuador

A big “Thanks” goes to all of you for your concern and support for the people who are facing the ocean’s wrath at the little fishing village of El Matal, Ecuador.  Your comments are appreciated not only by me but also by my friends who live or own property there. With slow internet, this has been difficult to write and proof, so all mistakes are definitely mine. Thanks again, everyone… Z

The thundering waves captivated the dogs’ interest…

We can talk about what has happened in the past, and what might have been (So easy to say on hindsight!) but the community now faces the ‘What can we do about this?’ dilemma.   No single person or even a collective group of property owners can afford the expense* for the options that have proven successful in other coastal areas of the world.  (*If by chance you CAN afford the expense, would you please take one giant step forward NOW?!)

El Matal (Ecuador) – Don’t Give Up!

Tags

E Matal, El Matal Ecuador, geotubes, high tides, Large sand bags for coastal erosion

Oct. 27, 2014… Will the ocean claim the light post in the next few days?

When the boat returns in 12 hours, will the ocean have gobbled more of the landscape?

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”
― Dale Carnegie

El Matal, Ecuador – (Manabi Province)

Words fail me.

Several people said that strong waves rolled in at high tide late yesterday afternoon (Sunday Oct. 26) and assaulted the beach in sets of five or six at a time.   Several more said that the worst happened at dawn this morning, when another high tide brought more angry waves.

Alcade (Mayor) Angel Rojas visits with locals and inspects the most-recent damage to the beach.

70 or 80 locals crowded into the corner restaurant, where Mayor Angel Rojas discussed options and patiently listened to feedback from the crowd.  As one person said, “Too little too late,” there are few options.

Alcade Angel Rojas listens to feedback from the crowd.

Large rocks, which the mayor really didn’t want to use, seem to be the only immediate choice.   The rocks and debris would prevent the fishermen from launching their boats and returning home each day.   Building a pier is one option for the long-term plan, yet it doesn’t help anyone now.

El Matal – “It’s Bad.”

Tags

destructive tides, El Matal Ecuador, state of emergency el matal

Do the oversized sand bags work? Seeing is believing…

After a fast trip to the Andes, I returned home on the river late yesterday afternoon.  My friend Xavier and I stood on the back balcony and watched the river ‘jump’ faster than usual.

“Is there an aguaji?”  I asked as we admired the idyllic mangrove-studded river.  A haze shrouded the end-of-day scene as the incoming waters surged higher.  Sunday fishermen cast their nets and hand lines from the bank and canoes.

“Yes,” he replied.   (Shrimp ponds are usually harvested during new and full-moon aguajis…)

We watched in silence, and I wondered why a place that I knew so well suddenly seemed foreign.

 “Something feels wrong,”  I added.   “This feels eerie, like a storm is approaching.  There’s something different; something’s wrong.” 

My internet did not work at all last night, and this morning I was greeted with a message from Becky and Lesli with the subject, ‘Matal.’

Not, “El Matal” or “The Tides” or “Meeting at El Matal.”   Just one word, “Matal,” and I braced myself for bad news.   

Timeout for Art: Subtle Surprises

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El Matal Ecuador, Hope, Timeout for Art, transforming an ugly space

“Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

El Matal (Manabi Province) Ecuador

Life planted a subtle surprise in my path last week when I visited El Matal’s quickly-vanishing beach.  After walking the low-tide line from one end to the other, I turned around and walked back along the boat-crammed street.  Almost instantly, a flash of just-painted color caught my eye, and my serious mood (see:Esperanza-Hope) transformed into one of joy.

Esperanza – Hope — A subtle message of hope smiled at me along the upper end of El Matal. (Ecuador)

The bystanders confirmed my suspicions:  Yes; “Maestro” painted the post.   They seemed baffled at my enthusiasm.  I pointed out that he painted the post out of the joy of his heart and not because he was competing in another post-painting competition!    I took a few photos, retrieved a 4 x 6″ card of Diablo Uma and asked if they’d give it to him as a token ‘Thank You’ prize.

They peered at me as if I was the Caped Crusader!

As walked away,  they called me back;  a surprised Maestro stood there buttoning his shirt and wondering what had triggered the infectious enthusiasm that domino-ed along the neighbors until the card reached his hands!  I congratulated him on his kind and giving spirit and said that the freshly-painted post represented hope – esperanza – for the residents of El Matal. (See previous post)

Gotta Wear Shades

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, feeling groovy, gotta wear shades, things to do in manabi ecuador, Whale watching in ecuador

The past few weeks have offered so many impromptu photo ops, and most of the photos are self explanatory!

(Jama-El Matal-Manabi Ecuador) August 2014
Are you ready for a feeling-alright-unique scene here at latitude zero?  Climb aboard!  (Sun shades optional.)

While photographing the frigates against the setting sun, I turned to see the rising moon sneaking into the scene…

Using an irrigation pipe for a rest for the camera, I waited for the frigates to circle overhead…

Walking toward home, I scanned the skies for returning birds. I found an ultra quiet one sneaking across the sky…

The next day my feathered friends (wood storks) escorted President Rafael Correa to Jama! (Post in progress.)

Speaking of sun shades!  Those shoes were bright!  Now back to the story…

In between numerous distractions, I have been painting mosaics on pottery. (Timeout post will be a little bit tardy!)

A few days later I wondered what the pelicans were doing at El Matal…

“Are you SURE you are ready for what we have planned for you?” asked Mr. Pelican…

“Buckle your seatbelt and VAMOS a El Matal!”

Ahem, well the past week has been in-cre-EE-ble, so I thought, “Maybe I should wear shades for this visit…”

In my haste to leave the house, I forgot to wear shades…

Not-Quite Summer?

Tags

aguaji el matal, beach loss, ecuador climate, El Matal Ecuador, summer on the equator, summertime, vanishing beaches

Peeling Shrimp -“I LOVE my job!’ –  La Division, Manabi, Ecuador

Summer – “The warmest season of the year, following spring and preceding autumn.” (Webster’s II New Riverside Dictionary” 1984)

Krista at WordPress prompted us to share images of ‘Summer Lovin”, and she mentioned southern vs northern hemispheres.  I snickered and thought, ‘- Summer? What about those lucky ones who straddle the equator?!  We don’t really have a summer on this part of Ecuador’s coast!”

After enduring Central America’s oppressive Pacific heat for eight years, I remain enchanted by Ecuador’s more-forgiving climate.   Just south of the equator on the Pacific coast, the days and nights politely share 12-hour shifts; January escorts us into the rainy season (invierno), and the June solstice weans us into a dry-but-slightly-cooler verano, their version of summer.   The low temperatures might bottom out at 70, and the highs rarely hit 90, although the sun can bite very fast!  (This past week has been cool, and many people wore long sleeves in the daytime and jackets at night!) When the ocean breezes stop for a rest, and the temperatures rise,  the nearby ocean offers instant relief!

My perch on the river is nestled between two rapidly-vanishing beaches;  La Division is northeast from the river’s mouth, and Playa El Matal is southwest. The ocean stayed on its best behavior during mid July’s full moon spring/king tides, although another critical high tide will soon arrive in August.

La Division Ecuador – Nelly took a rare break from her restaurant for Mother’s Day 2013.

La Boca – Rio Jama

 

Once upon a time when the beach was much wider: “The Boca” with El Matal and Punta Ballena in the background. (Image from 2011)

Playa El Matal – “Where’s the beach?” – A concerned visitor assesses the vanishing beach.

Great illustrations of ‘summer’ can be found at Playa El Matal. As the ocean crowds the fishermen’s boats onto the road, the locals remain unruffled and adapt without any displays of frustration.  Let’s go on a beach-inspection walk and search for a sour face!

One Wave at a Time

Tags

aguaji, boobies in manabi, El Matal Ecuador, gringo tree cuenca, gringo tree quito, high tide beach loss, spring tides july 2014

(retweeet)@Petchary @PanosCaribbean (ZeebraDesigns said: Beneath full moon will be at front line, feet in sand, staring mother ocean’s eyes (mouth?) one wave at a time. – 11 Jul)

Emma Lewis
@Petchary @ZeebraDesigns @PanosCaribbean “That sounds poetic, but sad… Will be thinking of you.”

With little room between the high-tide mark and the buildings, Playa El Matal’s front street is choked with boats, fishermen, tourists and locals.

El Matal, Manabi, Jama, Ecuador

Mother Ocean was quite calm last night, and the night weaned into daytime without threatening and dangerous waves.  I peered out at the waves about once an hour and was glad to see dawn arrive with a gentle awakening.

With palm trees flanking each side of my friends home, I remained all but incredulous when they told me that in 2010, they could step 54 paces from the end of their lot to the edge of the dry beach that angled to the ocean!   I looked at their old photos, and I now sit with jaw agape at how much has been devoured by the ocean.

Fighting the Good Fight

Tags

aguaji, aguaji 2014, coco beach village, El Matal Ecuador, geo tubes, july 2014 high tide, spring tide damage, tide charts

“What if it lines up like it did in the Trojan War … Athena versus Poseidon?”  

“I don’t know. But I just know that I’ll be fighting next to you.”

“Why?”  

“Because you’re my friend, Seaweed Brain. Any more stupid questions?”  ― Rick Riordan- The Lightning Thief

Late afternoon – Feb 02, 2014 – El Matal Ecuador – Homeowner photo

screen shot from video

Coco Beach Village/El Matal Ecuador

The good fight is the one that we fight in the name of our dreams.  – Paulo Coelho (The Pilgrimage)

Imagine having a nightmare where a wall of water threatens to wash you, your friends, your home and your village away.  You see it approaching on the horizon.  You’re watching as if a voyeur and unable to awaken others who might be able to help.  You’re screaming, yet no one hears, as if they are deaf or your voice is muted.  There’s only a short amount of time, and a cluster of neighbors and several strangers leap into your nightmare and project a united front as the clock ticks backward.

Will this woman’s home survive the high tides?

The monster’s first attack arrived in January, and a diet of sand and driftwood kept it quiet for another month.  Developing a taste for a more refined diet, it returned in February and nibbled at the foundations of homes while upending open-air boat shelters and pondering ways to devour the street on its next attack.

Who Has The Right-of-Way?

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, pacific coastal erosion, wordpress photo challenge street view

Wait! Where’s the road?!

Manabi Province, Ecuador

This past weekend I visited the fishing village of  El Matal and found ample material for this week’s Photo Challenge of ‘STREET LIFE.’   On Saturday, the high tide washed across areas of the front street, where fishing boats trumped automobiles for use of the road!

First-aid options for the vanishing beach are tied up in red tape.  Concerned locals watch as each wave brings the next spring tide a bit closer.    How much longer will there be room for boats and autos?

Omens

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, jama ecuador, ladrones, omens, Sunsets, thieves

Brilliant Sunset March 12 – Jama Central

Could this March 12 sunset have been an omen for an unusual upcoming day?

March 13 began with an early-morning walk to town…  I spotted the first Peruvian Meadowlark for the year, then stopped and admired a smooth-billed ani.  The black and white stilts, herons, ibis and egrets are perennial bonuses!

Some days the walk is muddy; other days it’s dry and dusty. There are always interesting fora and fauna waiting to be discovered!

Grabbing a drink and banana bread on the run, I hopped in a collectivo pickup bound for El Matal….

After a brief check at El Matal, where Project Sandbag is underway, I returned to Jama for lunch and Timout for Art post then home to resume work on the painting…
But wait! The sound of a helicopter veered me off course, and to the airstrip I went!

What Is Wrong With This Picture?

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, jama coaque art project, jama concurso, jama ecuador light posts paintings, palo santo jama ecuador, urban art, who owns urban art?

Many of you will remember the extremely-popular (It Started With One Light Pole) post from 2012 that circulated round the world – more than once! Several periodicals pointed readers to this community project that was triggered by one lone light pole.

Just last week someone else featured this community event – (And did not ask to use my photos!) – I refrained from scolding them about using my photos, since this was about the locals in Jama and not about me.  The more the world read about those artists and about the positive things happening in Jama, the better.  Right?

For a refresher, see IT STARTED WITH ONE LIGHT POLE. (2012)

It Started With One Light Pole

Looking better!

“It Started With One Light Pole” – (Remember this view!)

One year later…

I’ve enjoyed watching Luchy transform his petite little building into a work of art, and we sometimes smile and say, ‘It started with one light pole.” That lone post triggered two years’ worth of urban art.  I witnessed shy insecure young artists bud into confident ones.

But something is amiss this week, and I’m struggling with warring emotions. 

Define Incongruent, Por Favor!

Tags

aguaji, El Matal Ecuador, incongruent, man vs nature

Although there are thousands of egrets, cormorants, frigates and pelicans in my neighborhood, today one lone cocoi heron stood guard in front of the riverhouse. Thanks, neighbor!

(Webster’s II – Office Edition 1984)
Incongruent – adj. 1. Not congruent. 2. Incongruous
Incongruous – adj – 1. Not corresponding: disagreeing  2.  Made up of diverse or discordant elements. 3. Unsuited to the surroundings or settings.
Congruent – adj. 1. Corresponding: congruous.
Congruous – adj – 1. /Corresponding in nature or kind.

Jama & El Matal Ecuador – February 2014
If this last bend of Rio Jama were populated with thousands of Cocoi Herons and few egrets, a different species might be featured above!   There’s something special about close encounters with elusive species.   On the first day of this year, the distinct call of the lone osprey whispered, ‘I’m back; did you miss me?” (Yes, I did!)

Roosting egrets streak home in low light!

Equally elusive is the lone Cocoi Heron, a pearl of a recluse that dodges society. At times this feathered beauty stands guard in the mud flats upriver, or it edges closer to the ibis and egrets that forage beneath the blue-green mangroves. Quite shy and untrusting, it soars away at the slightest hint of human presence. Today, however, this closest neighbor of mine stood guard slightly downriver from the house while rough-winged swallows flitted nearby!

Cocoi Heron Stands Guard

Gazing out the other windows, I’ve observed a different scene for over a month. I’ve briefly mentioned this new activity, though I’ve tried to dismiss it; this daily intrusion sometimes lasts into the night.

El Matal Middle and Upper End

Tags

aguaji el matal ecuador, coastal damage, El Matal Ecuador

El Matal (Manabi) Ecuador – February 2014

While waiting for a bus connection, I’m pulling these photos out of draft status before rolling to home sweet jama! These photos were taken one week after the destructive tides that washed away most of the remaining beach. (See It’s Devastating)

Gallivanta continues her support with helpful feedback from across the Pacific  (New Zealand) – i am especially grateful for this radio interview with coastal scientist Jim Dahm: http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/2585167

The bus just rolled into town, so without any captions added to the photos, I share the images taken in front of El Matal “proper, past Coco Beach Village, and along a natural area.

El Matal – The Southern End

Tags

aguaji el matal, ecuador beaches, El Matal Ecuador, fishing boats, how to stop beach erosion, losing pacific beaches, sand loss on ocean beaches, vanishing beaches

Heads up, Jama Residents:  Community meeting with officials at Raul’s Corner Restaurant – Tuesday February 11, 2014

El Matal Ecuador –  This past Friday, I walked almost the entire stretch of El Matal’s beach, from the southern end closest to the landmark of Punta Ballena to El Matal “Proper” and Coco Beach Village, past the site of the new Punta Ballena Development, through the river mouth (low tide) and stopped for a very late lunch at  the community of La Division.  I’ve surely earned the title of “Beach Inspector” for this past week!

Although I missed seeing the devastating high tides, the beach wears its scars from its battle with Mother Ocean.  The powerful waves stripped the sand beneath the thatched-roof bamboo structures that once sheltered the boats.  In the next assault, will she devour the road and advance to the houses and restaurants?

(Pardon me, but you’re blocking the road!) Where will the fishermen put their boats if the ocean destroys the road?

Overwhelmed with hundreds of photos, I’ll start with the southern end of the beach.  Walk with me  and enjoy the beauty while pondering the dilemma of the vanishing coastline.

Wild Journey

Tags

arash recovery, Destructive tides Ecuador February 2014, Ecuador Expat Journeys, El Matal Ecuador, i will survive, life's hurdles, living on ecuador's coasts, overcoming accidents

Four days past the desecration of El Matal, angry waves warn, “Don’t forget – we will return…” photo taken at Bahia de Caraquez, Manabi Province – Ecuador —photo taken February 06, 2014

I’ve never appreciated misleading headlines, and this one slightly tilts in that direction!  The past six months have kept my dance card full, and my slow or no internet has made it difficult to open a compose page or even leave comments (or answer them!)  When traveling, I am able to read websites and emails, yet an external keyboard is necessary for replying.  My sometimes-cryptic replies are often written with copy/paste functions if retrieving the keyboard is not an option.

The past few months presented unique experiences; I wrestled  Diablo Huma into a shipping tube and blasted him into his first international trip in the midst of a winter storm.

Diablo Huma is a STAR!

I joined others in witnessing the first assault of destructive waves at El Matal Ecuador then felt equally powerless as last week’s sobering battle confirmed that these people deserve national attention and help. While my friends played David and Goliath with Mother Ocean, I spent time with a delightful coastal Ecuador Expat Journeys group.

George, from Hawaii, was our precious king for the week!

Leaving Salinas Ecuador

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Behind the scenes on other WordPress channels, many people are fighting their own personal battles.    You embraced Jenna’s story, and I suspect this next one will have a profound effect as well.   With zero preface about his history, I introduce you to an incredible man who closed his last post with the sentence, ” …As I continue on this wild journey, I maintain the promise I’ve made to many people to…”

Prepare for an amazing journey.

Start here:  ArashRecovery Never Satisfied

The strong phoenix emerges from the ashes.
(Sculpture detail- artist Ivo Uquillos, Portoviejo Ecuador)

(Real life trumps fun times; Timeout for Art coming later today!)

Z

“Devastating” Update

Tags

aguaji el matal ecuador, beach loss el matal ecuador, El Matal Ecuador, high tides el matal ecuador, king tides, spring tides

Will this ancient icon halt the ocean’s assault?

El Matal, Ecuador February 04 2014

The above photo shows the ocean’s view of one of the beachfront homes at El Matal, Ecuador. The previous post shows the opposite view from that same house as the ocean took bite after bite of the vanishing beachfront.

“It’s Devastating”

Still traveling with the Ecuador Expat Journey group, I am pleased to direct your attention to Patricia Farmer’s update: AFTERMATH.

Thanks, Patricia –  I’ll be home on Thursday night and hope to see all of you on Friday.
Z

Straight from the Pacific: Fresh!

Tags

Cruzita Ecuador, Ecuador crabs, Ecuador's Pacific Fish, El Matal Ecuador, Fresh ocean fish from Ecuador, WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge - Fresh, WP weekly photo challenge Fresh

El Matal – Ecuador

How’s this for straight-from-the-ocean fresh?  Sarah at WordPress asked us to show FRESH.

Cruzita Ecuador – Atun

Within hearing distance of the surf, the riverhouse provides many opportunities to observe just-caught moments.

Mano de la Paz Finds A New Home

Tags

Acrylic Painting, El Matal Ecuador, Jama Coaque, Jama Coaque Art, Lisa Brunetti Paintings, Mano de la Paz Painting, museo bahia de caraquez, The Mola Series

Pottery Shards

The mystery painting that held my attention for many weeks finally reached its new home!  Patricia Adams Farmer gave readers a sneak peek in her amazing feature, “The Totalmente Zen Art of Lisa Brunetti”  Thanks again, Patricia, and thanks to all of you who visited her column and left such thoughtful comments.

Detail Mano Swirl – collection of Museo Bahia de Caraquez – 2012

New clients from the Jama area especially liked my graphic six-foot tall painting, Mano Swirl,  that belongs to the Museo Bahia de Caraquez (Ecuador) and depicts a pre-Columbian relic from the area.   Anyone who walks the beaches of the Jama area, will come away with pottery fragments from the Jama Coaque culture.

Museo Bahia de Caraquez (Ecuador) – Jama Coaque Culture

Detail/Artifact/Jama Coaque Culture – Museo Bahia de Caraquez

The  Jama Coaque Indians left behind a legacy of amazing artifacts. The  hand and the swirl patterns are often associated with their culture.

Sellos were most likely used for rolling designs on textiles and skin.

The inspiration for the current painting came from a small  “sello” artifact from the Casa del Alabado Museum collection in Quito Ecuador.   The Indians most likely used sellos to stamp patterns onto bodies and textiles.    We decided to go with a scientific likeness for this  “Jama Coaque” painting.

Jama Coaque SelloCasa Alabado/Quito Ecuador

I often placed the painting on the floor and my computer on the painting for easy reference of the museum image.

Using watercolor techniques with acrylic paints, I slowly added layers of color and shadow.  

Less is More

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, Got Paint, It Started with one Light Pole, jama ecuador

View of El Matal Ecuador from Gordon Stauble’s property

With pleasure, I point your attention to new neighbors and fellow bloggers who live in the same community as I!  Patricia Adams Farmer’s “The Poetry of Posts” and “Color Me Happy” summarize the essence of the peaceful spirit in our area.

El Matal, Ecuador

Tags

El Matal Ecuador, jama ecuador, Painting, Post-painting contest, San Pedro San Pablo

 

The painting competition at El Matal Ecuador supplied countless photo opportunities, and a small fraction of those launched the”Got Paint?” post.   

This quiet fishing village embraced the out-of town visitors who came for the San Pedro-San Pablo festivities.

Enjoy the eclectic mix of photos taken over the two-day period.

“Got Paint?”

Tags

El Matal, El Matal Ecuador, It Started with one Light Pole, Jama Coaque Concurso, jama ecuador, OGD Tur Jama, Painting Competition, Post painting in El Matal

Marcelo, of OGD TUR JAMA.

More than 600 images crowded my camera chip when I returned home  from  the fishing village of El Matal on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast.  Phase two of the “Post-Painting Competition“ coaxed a new batch of budding artists to the sun-drenched streets, where they magically transformed concrete light posts into works of art using Jama-Coaque pre-Columbian icons.

For two days I ambled the main streets, met new Picassos and marveled at their sheer joy of painting.  They beamed with pride when anyone stopped to appreciate their work!  Why, oh why, couldn’t they all win a top prize?!!!!