Jama Ecuador – Before & After

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7.8 earthquake jama, earthquake, jama ecuador, Palo Santo Cafe, volunteer work in manabi

“Wherever there are birds, there is hope.”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Jama, Ecuador –  Arriving in Jama just before dark, I was happy to see Luchy Cevallos unloading items from his car at Palo Santo Cafe.  “Lisa!!” he smiled, “Come in and have a cafe!”   I accepted on the condition that I share the tasks before they opened at 7.     He also prepared a pizza that we shared, and then he dashed to the cabanas to prepare #3 for me to spend the night.  Yay!

Business was brisk, and I suspected that each dime would help with repairs on his hostal.   When I left at ten, people were still visiting while enjoying good food at a very fair price.

I also took photos to compare before and after, so here’s an ‘after’ photo taken in front of Palo Santo…

Jama – in front of Palo Santo Cafe – Nov 2016 What’s missing?

Compare the photo above with one taken a few years earlier:

Jama Before –

More before/after comparasons:

Jama before – (Wear White for Peace)

Jama after earthquake – Luchy’s brother’s house is gone (to the right) as is a two-story house to the left…

Turning back time to 2008:  How well I remember walking the lazy streets of Jama as if I’d stepped into a time warp from my childhood.  Cowboys nudged their cattle along the streets at the end of the day.     The town slowly changed over the past seven years, but the April 16th earthquake turned Jama and neighboring areas upside down.

Many have shared their stories.

“…It began like the usual earthquakes – starting slowly, and we became aware – Earthquake – and assumed it would be finished in a few seconds. But it didn’t, and the slow subtle start sort of tricked us…   I was in the street outside my house when it happened… first it wasn’t scary – it was like a normal earthquake and then it got stronger. One house fell and then another and another… and I looked at our house and thought, “Please don’t fall…” – and it didn’t….   A few more minutes, and I think the house would have fallen down.”

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Timeout for Art: DRAWING

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Art Projects, Iguana painted on a wall, jama ecuador, Luchy Cevallos Sabando, Palo Santo Cafe, Timeout for Art: Drawing

“Good drawing forms the ‘bones’ on which a strong painting hangs.”  (Chris Bingle)

Jama Ecuador – Last week I sketched this cow skull then did a test to see how it would look with zebra stripes.  What do you think?  Would it make a fun painting, or should I consider this an exercise and move on to another subject – like bright colorful coffee cherries?

Palo Santo Cybercafe

Today I spent time at Palo Santo Cybercafe, which is more cafe than an internet service.  Opening around 7:30 most evenings, Palo Santo has a brisk business and an easy vibe.

Luchy whips up many fruit drinks as well as cafe specialties!

Luchy and I had discussed doing a joint painting project in his “VIP” room, and today we began that task.

Luchy’s drawing and painting skills are excellent, so I was amused that he chose to watch instead of paint!  He wanted a backdrop for photo moments, and since the word “Jama” means “iguana,” he visualized a large iguana draped across a limb a little higher than shoulder level. We discussed several ideas, and then he watched as I mixed paints and began to ‘draw’ with the paint.

“Aren’t you going to use a pencil first?” he asked cautiously.

“No,” I smiled, “it’s not necessary… there’s no need for pencil…”