Sad post

Last week we had a tragic accident in our little villages, the life of a young man was taken too soon. One of the resident life guards and surfers from San Clemente apparently fell off his bike, and hit his head on a wall, maybe breaking his neck, he was found alone in the morning hours.

His name was Antonio, but many knew him as Tony or Tonito. He had a smile that brightened any room and a heart just as big. He will be missed. The surfers have joined together to do ceremonies in the ocean, and his was one for the books. 

There were some words and music at the ocean front restaurant,  and then the procession took to the water. Pretty moving stuff...

They all get in a circle, and have a moment of silence,  then throw the flowers in the air and splash. Sending the bouquet and pictures of him into the waves. I have been here 7 years now, and have seen them do this for at least a couple of our expats too, such a beautiful memorial. I am truly blessed to have found such a loving community,  both ecuadorean and expat. 

Sad today, but stay tuned...the adventure continues. 

Ecuador's New President

Ecuador finally has a new President. Elections started in February,  and had four candidates.  I have now learned that since none of the candidates won by 10 percent or more there was a run off vote, which we just had on Sunday April 12th. (No alcohol sales from Friday noon til Monday noon, even tho voting isnt until Sunday)

And ballots are interesting,  pictures accompanying names, because many do not read. They also use thumbprints, instead of signatures. 

There is  mandatory voting here between age 18-65, if you do not vote there is a fine of 10% the monthly wage, so $40. It is attached to your cedula (ID) and you will need to pay it before you can register a car or pay taxes, etc.

The majority here on the coast did not vote for Lasso, but we are all eager to have someone new in power, and we will keep our fingers crossed for change we can all agree on.

So...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Manta Airport

Exciting things are happening in Manta these days! Not only is the current mayor implementing many programs around the city for clean up and beautification,  but the airport has finally been finished.

Here our President touring the facility.  It is well on it's way to becoming an international airport,  and THAT is very exciting news! We wait...

Last I heard, it still needed furniture, and the agreement with the vendors was being finalized. It's come a long way since before the earthquake in 2016. For those who dont know, the old airport building had been a US Air force outpost and collapsed in the earthquake.  Then for a couple years it was nothing more than some tents and tarps. Wow, all grown up!

We now anxiously await the news of international flights. Fingers crossed...and stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Where did March go?

Well, they say time flies when you're having fun, that is certainly true this month. A year into Covid,  Sucre, the canton I live in, has gone back to Red light restrictions, but not before we were able to celebrate a couple birthdays we couldn't celebrate last year. 

This years rainy season may be over, but not before some real doozies in local areas. Flooded rivers, rock and mud slides, road closures and lots of water!

Several eveings I sat on the covered patio and watched lightening, and had much thunder,  which we dont usually get. I love a good storm, so enjoyed it, but the roads have been so muddy, my bicycle has not been much use. I definitely got the rubber boots out!

All up and down the coast has been ravaged by the rains. Of course the sunsets this time of year are worth it! A week now without rain, and well...being late March, it may be over. So, stay tuned, the adventure continues. 

Carnival 2021

Wow, what a disaster! After the first of the year the President decided he would no longer make country wide protocols for Covid, but leave it up to each Canton, so in essence each Mayor.

Sucre mayor, Ingrid Zambrano decided to keep the beaches open from 6am til 6pm, with social distancing of course. Restaurants were allowed to be 30 percent occupancy and hotels were 50 percent. Alcohol could be sold in restaurants until 11pm, there was to be no public drinking on the streets. Hmmm, yet this is a photo from San Clemente Sunday night in centro.

It was so bad, San Clemente was lumped in with Montanita and Salinas as the WORST beach cities for biosecurity measures in all of Ecuador. Glad I stayed home. I never did like the crowds in San Clemente on festival weekends,  San Jacinto is much more tranquil.  The weather was  perfect, it has been many years with rain, but this year, sunshine and blue skies all weekend. 

This is a picture of Carnival 7 or 8 years ago. I love that the "tourists" come and enjoy our beaches, but this year I fear for all of the tienda workers and residents who may have been infected, simply by making a living. I for one will stay near the house for awhile, and let some of the germs dissipate. 

Usually people stay thru the next weekend and have a nice long vacation, but I hope they all go home. So as always,  stay home, stay safe and, stay tuned...the adventure continues. 

May need an Ark

Seems to me I have said this phrase more than once, lol. When the season starts...it really starts, we had at least 5 nights of heavy rain! There was no way I was getting my trike out of the yard. My house is on a hill, so the dirt road in front is dry...but none of the intersections are. 

Perry and I walked to town the other morning for breakfast with friends, and I neglected to get the boots out.  Ended up walking most of the way barefoot and then washing my muddy feet in this "lake" near my old beach house. 

Not ideal...and Perry had perfect "mud boots" on all fours. The mosquito population is massive, and the weeds are out of control.  Having someone come fumigate today, as yesterday when he was scheduled it had started raining in the afternoon!

On the other hand, I took the houseplants outside, and everything is loving the magic of the rain water. So, as always...stay dry, stay tuned, the adventure continues. 

Not in Kansas anymore

Last week Facebook was flooded with pictures of a very nice looking ecuadorean man who had been killed. As the day wore on, and  more info came to light I got most of the story.

Efrain Ruales was a 36 year old reporter and tv personality living and working in Guayaquil.  He had been gunned down while starting his personal vehicle after his early morning gym session. It is said he was scheduled to testify the next day about a story he had reported on some months ago. 

Apparently people in high places did not want him to testify about the corruption he had investigated and reported on. It hit home that this latin country is very different than what I was raised in...that being said, upon more reflection I came to believe that things such as this DO happen in "first world" countries, but they are covered up much better and quicker. Spin doctors have full time jobs, and here...well they just dont really care to try and spin stories.

Which brings me to politics,  ugly business, no matter where in the world one lives. We are gearing up for presidential elections. And for us expats the biggest worry is there will be no liquor sales from Friday noon to Monday noon. (Elections take place on Sunday, and is mandatory for citizens 18-65) More to come on that topic after elections.

So, as always...stay safe and  stay tuned the adventure continues. 

Last nights sunset from Manta

Step children

One election is over, and another begins. We are now in the beginning phase of campaigning,  and I for one, am not falling for the promises again. My beach communities of San Jacinto,  San Alejo and San Clemente are part of the canton Sucre, which is "based" out of Bahia de Caraquez and we have been forgotten time and time again. Hence the step children title, the issues arise and they make promises to get votes and year after year nothing happens.

This is just one of the worst corners, and interestingly is right down the street from the Co op bank...yet, even when the bank does "improvements" it is to install bus benches...really?! Is it because a bus bench can be seen? And fixed drainage is invisible?

I became "friends" on Facebook with the mayor recently to voice my displeasure on her taking away our fleet of mototaxis and...was Blocked! I can no longer comment on her posts, nor can I even like a comment of someone elses! Wow, guess she really cares what this "gringa" has to say...

She (the mayor) posted the other day the new plans for a skating rink to open in Bahia. WHAT?! Our streets are filled with rain and ocean water, our side streets impassable because of sticky deep mud and Bahia is getting a Skating Rink?! So sad, the "little guys" are Out of sight, out of mind. Grrr

Ok, rant over. So...stay safe, stay dry (if here in Ec) and stay tuned, the adventure continues,  even if a little muddy and wet. 

Rainy season

We are very lucky here in Manabi that the rainy season is short, and it mostly rains at night,  that being said...there are things one needs to be ready for. I always seem to want to make new cushion covers right before rainy season, and with many dogs, and muddy footprints, not a good idea. I also dont want to have to cover my outdoor furniture and bring in cushions every night...so finally

I had my shade structure moved from the old house...only took 5 months, but hey. It is up now, and Im ready for the rain. A little moving of things around, and clean up, I now have a nice covered part of the patio. 

Now if I could only get the dogs (and cats) to wipe their feet...we'll be all set. So, stay tuned, rainy season is around the corner, and the adventure continues!

Puppies go Home

Oh what bitter sweetness....the boy pup went to be with his forever family last week, and Saturday the girls left.

Mama dog had escaped, and was not here when he got picked up, and when she came back, Im not sure she even noticed. Over the next few days I recieved video and photos of him in his new home. They show him playing with his young master, and they bought him a tiny harness. My heart is full.

Saturday I got a ride to the next village and delivered the Girls to their new home. They are friends of mine, and so I will get see them often, and watch them grow. 

Mama was visibly sad that first night without any babies. She cried and I let her sleep in the house. Yesterday I watched a video posted and she heard her babies crying and went looking all thru the house. Awwwww.

But, I am happy to say everyone is doing fantastic in their new home. Happy, healthy and having their best life. On the horizon may be more foster pups. A mama and her 11 pups got dumped at another friends farm. I introduced them to the group I'm working with, and they arrived to help with food for mom and vaccines when the time comes. 

Perry was such a good babysitter, and at the end, he and the new cat, Mona really did enjoy playing with the pups. On to the next...getting Salchi adopted. She can no longer escape my fence, as she started bringing home the neighbors chickens.  Oops..not good. She got 3 in one day, and I had to say ENOUGH.

Another closed chapter. Stay safe, and stay tuned, the adventure continues!