Wild and Untamed

What a week...Mike and I have both been sad about Ariel/Dulce, we still haven't seen her and fear the worst. We remember the good times, our many walks together, and how she liked to "love nibble" our feet as she layed in front of us on the cesped (Astro turf). One morning she was inside the front door, laying on the tile floor and the coffee pot was on, she didn't know what that noise was and started growling, she was trying to protect us. Her almost constant presence is certainly missed, there's a hole in our hearts, I still pray she is recouperating  with a loving neighbor. She was a joy to have around, and  we love her a lot.

That being said, it reminds us that Ecuador is wild, an untamed place. Things are done differently here, and we have to adapt. Or at least watch where we're going, check out the visitor our friends down the way had.

This guy was seen in the street between the beach and Ramadas and this row of Coachme houses. Like I said Ecuador is wild. (Coachme is the local "credit union" or Coopertiva)

Frigates! They are sitting here waiting to see what the fishermen throw back. On some of them you can see the red neck pouch, they inflate it to attract a mate. One day on a walk with Ariel a frigate was bugging her, and she went to chase him, he flew up on these rocks to get away, and she scampered up after him, like a billy goat. The frigate was not expecting that, she went up some more rocks, barking at him and he flew away mad. She was such a character, so much personality. Untamed, Ecuador is untamed...

I finally finished my regalo (gift) for Fernando Father Fishermen and his family. Found out his oldest boy's name is Robinson, the boat is named after him. I took the gift to their house, found Fernando and Robinson in the shade doing some work to the nets, and his wife came out to greet me. I tried to tell them that I made it for them, for their generosity and kindness, I'm sure it came across.

Their house is blue, so I used blue and green like the ocean as a theme. The bulk of the windchime is a plastic Sprite bottle, I cut into squares then held them over a candle to soften, curl and melt the edges. Bits of blue plastic bottle and some green stone beads from a necklace I took apart finish it, with the shells added to make a little sound in the breeze. I'm sure they liked it.

We were walking to La Boca to visit friends for Happy hour on Saturday and were invited to a party.  At first I thought he was asking us to join them for Mothers Day, but then he said birthday, 15 anos (years), so it was going to be a big deal! On our way home that night, the music had started and Anderson and His sister Patricia (the birthday girl) tried to get us to come in the courtyard, the music was blaring but no one was there yet, it was still too early (only 8pm or so). We excused ourselves, said maybe later and went home to eat. We heard the music from that party til DAWN!! Since we didn't sleep well, we should have gotten up and went to join them! I probably would have been fine if I'd had earplugs, it wasn't that loud against the sound of the Ocean, but it wasn't constant, so after a lull, when the music would start up again, is when we would be awakened. Oh well, like I said Ecuador is wild! I've been thinking about what I can make for Patricia, something girlie, we really should party with the locals more, but they stay up so darn late! We are more "up with the sun, down with the sun" kinda people usually. 

Some of our "treasures" from walks last week, not sure what they will end up looking like, but it was a score. And one that didn't make it home with us, too big. Would have made a cool table top tho.

The Ocean does what it wants, the street dogs do what they want, the frigates, the iguanas and the locals party til dawn. It's a wild and untamed place, but we've signed up for it, so stay tuned, the Adventure continues!

I guess it's Thursday

I don't have set schedules anymore, I have things I should do, but nothing is usually sooo important that it can't wait. Today I woke bright and early, made coffee and took it back to bed to read emails and catch up on Pinterest (like most mornings). Around 8am I got the laundry stuff gathered up, several loads and a broken fingernail later and it's all hung on the line.

Even dog toys and dog beds got washed, poor little Shadrach is sad watching his beloved Chicken hanging on the line. 

The fishermen are in full force outside the gate, Fernando Father Fishermen and his three boys are in front working on mending nets, and I can hear Raphael and Alexander (who I used to call Giggles before I asked his name) laughing and having a fun conversation as they work their nets. Ramon and his son are there as well as some new boats parked in front with unfamiliar crews. As they work their nets, they find sea life, and set them aside, when they are done they take the sea life to the waters edge and feed the frigates, this is what that looks like.

And sometimes, this happens

When a frigate drops his breakfast. Shoot! Just when I was getting that Geranium to sprout back to life. The fishermen said to bury the fish and the geranium would do great, I'm sure they are right, but I'll pass.

Gifts from Fernando Father fishermen last week, we tried our very best to cut this flounder, but just made a mess of it, next time they try to give whole fish I'll let him know we can't filet it, and he should keep it. If he insists, we will give it to another neighbor as not to waste it. Now, the shrimp on the other hand! Yes please!  I usually buy shrimp in town from a man I call yellow shoes, (because I can't remember his name and he always wears the same yellow shoes) he charges $5 a pound, but who can snub their nose at free? I figure Fernando Father fishermen saved me $15 last month with his gifts of free shrimp!

Some of these pictures will be repeats, if we are friends on Facebook, but I know many many of you aren't. This is homemade fresh salsa thanks to the wonderful Charapoto market and my husband Mike. It was Muy Rico! (Very yummy)

We've had our smoothies, and now it's about time for me to start thinking about lunch. I've got some projects I may work on this afternoon, but I may read my book and take a nap, who knows. I sure don't miss set schedules, I don't really ever get bored, plenty of stuff to work on, or just loose time staring at the ocean.

I saw a sign that said "wasted time enjoyed, isn't wasted" I think that fits right in with our new slower life here on the Ecuadorean coast. So, as usual, stay tuned, the adventure continues!

We thought we walked into a war zone...

Low tide is conveniently happening this week in the morning, yesterday we took one last cup of coffee and headed south. After we got past the "ruins" we were shocked at what we saw (sorry that sounds so like the Facebook articles reposted over and over)...

The debris is from the river, we did have a big rain the other night, and it is possible that the river swelled and brought a lot of this out to sea, then the sea kicked it up on shore. Or it could have nothing to do with the rain, and it was just "time" to clean out the river, much of it is coconuts and the greenery are water hyacinths, and maybe they got too crowded, or maybe fish were eating their roots, I don't know. (Sorry, wasn't interested in doing research, just wanted to share, if anyone feels like doing research, let me know what you find out)

I found a huge clump with many blooms on it, so I had a very pretty bouquet for the day, but sadly this morning they are toast.

Thru the debris we trekked, and found so many cool things we couldn't carry them all. Today we will go with bigger bags and rope for a lasso to drag large branches back. 

If you notice in these pictures we are missing our "otra perro" Ariel/Dulce, she was involved in a scuffle (maybe hit by a car) was scared, possibly injured on Saturday morning, and ran off screaming, we haven't seen her since. We are hoping she is being cared for by someone and that's why she can't come checkin with us, she may have been pregnant and having complications due to whatever injury she may have incurred. Keep her in your thoughts and prayers. I pray she will show up happy to see us one day, but we have decided we need to guard our hearts when it comes to the "street" dogs...this is a wild, untamed place and things will happen that are beyond our control.

View to the north, maybe on a larger computer screen you can see the "ruins" and then our house is situated between the two white houses (which are on two different rocky points).

This may still have some life in it...at least here in Ecuador it does. And this next one...what the heck?

You never know what you'll find on the beach, who knows, today when we go it could all be gone...the ocean does what it wants, and doesn't listen to anyone. I'll gather some pictures of our treasures for next time, and now it's time to get ready for our walk, so stay tuned...the adventure continues!

Feeling like Fall

The weather has changed! We had an overcast day all day, (maybe Wednesday, they all run together) and then the next day we knew, it was Fall. Summer has come to an end. Kids went back to school on April 20th, and it has been very quiet around here. We have turned off the fans, and Mike actually put pants on! I had to dig out my shawl to wear while we watched sunset the last couple of nights, Veronica requests to be covered up while sitting on a lap, and the breeze, was well...chilly. So Summer was from mid to late Feb thru mid/late April. Good to know, not so bad. We can handle that, now on to some projects.

Picked up some cool pieces of wood on our walks, and finally got out the paint. This was my first one.

A sign for the house. Mike found an old oar on the beach with a broken handle, and I'll make another Casa Pescadores sign for the inside of the house on it, there's a perfect chunk of wall it'll fit beautifully on.

I'd like to replace my tired front door wreath with the Bienvenido sign (that means Welcome) I'm just not sure how the starfish will weather, but I know where we can get more...

My first "non word" sign, now mind you, I am NOT an artist! I can be CRAFTY, but my painting skills are no Bueno. Still may work on this octopus, but I do like the beach found marble I gave him for an eye. I have quite a collection of boards, some I'll do words on, and others I may practice some more sea creatures, of course I'll show you as I go.

Still doing smoothies everyday, Mike has cereal in the morning, but I don't require anything but coffee til about 10:30 am, so I've been doing smoothies, breakfast for me, mid morning snack for Mike, anyway, with smoothies everyday, I have an abundance of yogurt bottles, and I can't just throw them away!

So I covered/wrapped them in colorful twine. Next I'll cut some down and use as tea light holders, maybe paint, who knows, like I said the supply is abundant, and the possibilities are endless.

I've been playing with embroidery thread, learning, or should I say RELEARNING how to make friendship bracelets and lanyards, takes me back to summer camp and junior high. Still trying to learn some more macrame knots.

So' there ya have it. This week in the life of Paige on the coast of Ecuador. Thank you for the positive messages from the last post, I Recieved a couple comments, and a couple private emails regarding the "is it blog worthy", so in response...I say, stay tuned! The adventure continues!! 

Is it blog worthy?

Every couple of days or so I think "I need to write for the blog", but then I look thru the camera roll and decide I don't really have anything new to share. This blog started out as an information highway, sharing our experiences about researching the move, moving and now...into our 10th month here, I find I'm writing more for our family and friends, because, well, the information highway seems to have come to an abrupt end. I have no info, I'm not informed...I think I never was! The early part of this blog can surely read as a "what NOT to do when moving to a foreign country" haha, no really! At this point, 10 months in, I can honestly say everything is still not hunky dory, our residency paperwork is still not finalized, and of course there is STILL the issue with the container. Progress is being made, but I can't say to what end, the roller coaster is still doing its ups and downs, loop de loops, and making me sick at times, but whatcha gonna do? I didn't sign up for nice and easy, I signed up for adventure.

And THIS is part of our adventure, Shadrach, our little salty dog, loving his new Ecuadorean life, his beach life. We've met new friends, who make our new life fun and fulfilling, both human and dog.

Our "otra perro" Dulce/Ariel in her favorite spot, and Veronica putting up with her. And our friends Marty and Jaime, who we feel like we've known for much longer than the 7 months. Here the "boys" (Mike included) doing a "see no evil". Good times!

So, our adventure lets us relax by the beach, play with dogs and friends a couple times a week, and of course my crafty projects. A new project is in progress, the first one is always a learning experience, because I'm usually "winging it". I've seen a picture, maybe a tutorial, but usually it's fumble thru it.

Circles cut from plastic bottles, the blue are gorgeous (rather expensive water bought by some of Marty and Jaime's guests, just called out to be repurposed and recycled) and the lime green are a 7up green bottle that just weren't quite bright enough to be paired with the blue, so I painted them. All these strings of plastic rounds are tied on the lid of a broken blender (thanks again to Marty) and will be a hanging light fixture. More rounds need to be cut, and then Mike will figure out how to wire it, the finished product will be shared at a later date, stay tuned.

These fish are made of plastic bottles, I think we have a lot more collecting before we can accomplish something like this...but with all the time we have...it just may happen, lol! 

Our Ecuadorean life is such a mix, we have "American" stuff, like the Baskin Robbins whipped cream we had on our Jello Poke cake made for Easter dinner by Jaime

And the pound or so of fresh caught shrimp gifted to us by our friends Fernando Father fishermen and his sons, who park their boat infront of the house.

Marty and I had just got back from the market in Charapoto Sunday morning, the fishermen asked for a couple bags to share the catch with the workers, then they asked for another one, but this one was for us. Little did Fernando know I was inside cutting pineapple to share with the group. And that's how we roll,  we take care of each other, we are all vecino bueno, good neighbors.

So, is it blog worthy? Maybe not for some of you, but I'll keep it up, because for the rest of you its a way that you can join us in our new Ecuadorean life. So...stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Good Friday

Yesterday was a great day. Most of them are, and we are so glad we moved here. It is "summer" and pretty hot, especially when you are used to being in AC, AC in the house, AC in the car, AC at work, or AC when shopping, it's pretty standard in much of the U.S.

Without having our techo (roof) built yet, we've been doing some hiding in the house, sitting infront of the fans, but we decided we had to do something with our umbrella, and make it a stand. We took one of our stand up fans off its stand and found the umbrella post fits it, it just proved too unstable in the wind. So I went out to the beach to see what I could find, and I found a chunk of cement that had once been poured into a large coffee can, it was heavy, but not too heavy that I couldn't carry it home, and voila, problem solved!

So the last couple days have been spent outside under the umbrella with the beautiful view of the ocean and the breezes that come with it. Thursday evening our fishermen were cleaning up the beach around sunset, they start a pile and then they light a fire, and everything goes in it. They do this every two weeks or so, so I didn't think anything of it...but the next morning they opened their pop up restaurant, yippee! 

We went for lunch there yesterday, had to have my favorite ceviche camaron (shrimp) and we split a breaded fish, super good! We met the brother in law of Fernando, he's a policemen, and felt every bit a part of their family. After lunch we went back to the shade of our umbrella enjoying the afternoon, listening to podcasts and about five o'clock, Fernando came bearing a gift, fresh cheese empanadas and fish conviche (think breaded hush puppy with flaky fish inside). Seemed the perfect time to open a cerveza and start happy hour.

What a perfect end to another perfect day. We shared a couple beers and watched the sunset...

Yes, it was a Good Friday, indeed. Stay tuned, the adventure continues!

Mud and Macrame

The last couple of days I've been playing with macrame, that's what this post was going to be about, but while on our walk this morning, we saw some amazing mud, so they'll share a post. I saw some macrame pot slings, plant holders on Pinterest, the pictures looked pretty descriptive, so I gathered twine over the next couple days and decided Tuesday to set to work. My first problem was remembering the length of twine wrong, I cut 8 pieces of 40 ft, what a mess, they were tangled all over the place! Mike remembered as a child, his mom doing macrame, and she had her ends of twine in bundles, that then could be woven, knotted whatever without tangling with the others strands. So, I did that, but I couldnt knot the strands, something was wrong. I checked Pinterest again, and found the error, A TOTAL OF 40 FEET, 8 strands of 5 ft each, that's much easier to maneuver.

My first attempt. Not bad, tried to play with the distance between knots, and found I can change the shape that way, tall and skinny, etc. For my next attempt I brought in another color twine, and added, what else? Shells...

Now I just got to get to Sosote and get some plants!  On Wednesday I decided to try a wall hanging, I collected my twine, a piece of wood, and some shells and sat outside under the umbrella. I hung the wood on the fence to work, the breeze was nice, the fishermen were fixing their nets, and I was happy playing with another project.

The finished product. Quite large, the top wood piece is almost 3 ft across and it probably hangs 4 ft long. Some close up pictures...

I've been wanting to do something with hanging Sandollars, it could use a little tweaking, but not bad for first attempt. 

Now for the mud! Low tide was this morning at 8:30, a wonderful time that still has some marine layer for coolness, and a nice time to take coffee. While heading to the ruins, we noticed a lot of mud, mud we hadn't seen before, LOTS OF MUD. Look back a post and see the pictures of the ruins, in comparison to these we took this morning.

In the recently posted pictures, all this mud is covered with sand, we never knew this mud was under there! It's slick and slippery and sometimes stinky, I wonder if it isn't decomposing plants from when this used to be neighborhood...I can't imagine.

Crazy! It'll be interesting to see when the sand comes back, just another "seasonal" thing we get to experience. Hope you enjoyed the post, Stay tuned, the adventure continues!