Tuesday, Carnivale finale

Tuesday morning we woke to beautiful blue skies but everything needed to dry out. We swept the rain water from the patio and planned on a quiet day on the outdoor couch, the touristas were still getting some beach time but we knew by late afternoon they would be getting packed to go home. Mike suggested a walk, and so around 11 we donned sunscreen and headed out. As we were returning, our friends at the restaurant wanted us to come, Ramon and Rafael had already started drinking, so we joined them, as we ordered lunch.

This is Captain Fernando, in the stripes, his nephew Patricio (Ramon's son) and Rafael in blue.

Here we have Ramon, Mike and I, Rafael, captain Fernando's sister Viviana in black, their mom Lola and aunt Gloria from the Oriente on the end. They have definatly accepted us into their family, and we love it. Such good people!

As the afternoon wore on, the clouds came back and the touristas left. We continued to sit and drink, talk, laugh and eat. The ladies are such maestros in the kitchen, over the course of the weekend festivities we had shrimp ceviche, shrimp viche, breaded shrimp, breaded fish and now langostinos!

We were so full, could hardly eat another bite, but it was so good, and they are so pleased to share. The ladies finally got the kitchen cleaned up and the real party could begin...we chipped in for more beer and got the music started.

I'm a bad influence and got all the ladies to drink, they worked so hard this weekend, they needed to unwind too! We got a really big speaker plugged into our house, and danced for awhile, then had a foam fight, and it was time to call it a night. A perfect end to a not so great Carnivale, the afternoon and evening was the highlight, good times with good friends...

So, stay tuned...the adventure continues!

 

Sunday and Monday

Sunday got off to a good start, the weather was beautiful, blue skies and sun shining. The beach goers had a good long time before high tide, and the vendors were in full force on the beach. The fishermen restaurant opened, complete with newly painted sign compliments of moi...(Caida del Sol means "fall of the sun")

They added two more tables this year, and a larger serving area. We kept an eye on the customers, and finally caught a good time to go eat lunch, when they weren't slammed. We had a shrimp ceviche to share, and  a breaded fish, and breaded shrimp, each came with rice and small cucumber/tomato salad. Super yummy, as always! And Of course when it came time to pay, they wouldn't accept our money...

I had planned on asking a couple store owners if they would sell my crafts, but I never did, so I tried to sell them out front. 

I sat inside the fence, under the shade, but nobody even came over to look...my plan now is to take them to sell to vacationing gringos at The Cottages. They make good gifts too, so not a waste.

Late in the afternoon, tide was getting high, and we were full from lunch, so took a nap, when we woke it was almost 6pm, and the clouds had blown in. The big party was to be in San Clemente, which is something we only needed to do once, so we stayed home, and out of the crazy. Here are some pictures from Facebook, Mas gente! (Many people)

During the night the rain started, and stayed with us ALL day Monday. The fishermen restaurant diligently stayed open but got very few customers, simply because the people stayed indoors. There were many kids on the beach, and in the water, but the ones who buy lunch...didn't. 

I went over and ordered lunch to go, and sat while it was prepared, got a little dripped on, but no big deal. (at least it's not cold rain) We promised we would go to the band (at 10pm! Ugh) but when the rain didnt stop by 8pm we changed our mind, and our clothes, getting dressed for bed. Of course, later as I heard music gearing up in town, I felt bad and we decided to get dressed and go see. The rain did stop for about an hour, we danced a couple songs, saw some people, had a couple beers and called it a night. Getting home by 11:15. And as we were deciding to head home, we saw the fishermen wives, asked where the guys were...they told us they were in bed! Ha ha! So, now we were really glad we made the effort!

Today is the end, the restaurant is open, tide is low and there is no rain, hopefully the towns people can earn a little more before the tourists head home. That was the saddest part about the rain and all the permit trouble, the lack of extra income to our little village and the traveling vendors. The Ecuadoreans are so optimistic, they take it all in stride and don't seem to get flustered, I love their positive attitudes!

It'll be back to normal soon, We survived another Carnivale...stay tuned, the adventure continues!