Tuesday, October 18, 2011
La Mirage
If you can't hope the Mirage link, here's a great and informative site. Merri Scott guided me through this journey and this is their blog. It tells alot about the area. www.garyascott.com/2009/12/28/6626.html
La Mirage
Here is the site to see this beautiful place in the middle of "nowhere". It was off season so we were the only ones there and they treated us like the kings and queens who stay there. www.mirage.com.ec.
HomeSweet Home
,They say home is where the heart is, and that speaks to one truth, but I think you can leave your heart in a new place and it becomes another home in your heart. This happened to us in Ecuador. It's such an untamed beauty. It makes me wonder what being "civilized" really means. These indigenous people farm vertically with oxen and a hand plow with the women following with the seed and they are some of the most civilized people I have ever known. It made me aware of how fearful we, as a society, have become. Very young children in the streets at night with the adult in a doorway and not visible.;They were safe, but filled me with fear. I have a new perspective on what is real and what is imagined. My hope is to be able to maintain that. I will get the pics up and running and take you on a trip to another world called La Mirage (so appropriately named)
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Lots and lots to talk about
It's late and I think it's working again. I'll tell you all about our amazing last few days when we get back the the mountain mineral waters tomorrow. Hasta la vista, baby.
Monday, October 10, 2011
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
It's now Monday morning and today is our 30th Anniversary. That is itself is pretty special and fairly unusual these days. It takes loyalty and heavy lifting, but here we are in Cotacachi. We will be in a incredible place later and will be getting a Shamana Purification. This is something new and you can feel a certain spirituality here from the mountains surrounding us.
I'm having trouble posting the pics and videos, when I translate back to English it changes, so I'll get to them later.
Back to the roses......When we were coming in from Quito it was dark but with a beautiful full moon we could see the mountains and lights down in the valleys. About every 10 miles we would see lots of very strong lights like a small city or a large stadium. What it is is ROSES and lots of them. Thousands of people work in these greenhouses. You can get 60 roses for a few dollars. I'm expecting a huge bouquet today. I want to feel like Ms. America. Beto just woke up so we will start a very unique day. I'll keep you posted.
I'm having trouble posting the pics and videos, when I translate back to English it changes, so I'll get to them later.
Back to the roses......When we were coming in from Quito it was dark but with a beautiful full moon we could see the mountains and lights down in the valleys. About every 10 miles we would see lots of very strong lights like a small city or a large stadium. What it is is ROSES and lots of them. Thousands of people work in these greenhouses. You can get 60 roses for a few dollars. I'm expecting a huge bouquet today. I want to feel like Ms. America. Beto just woke up so we will start a very unique day. I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Everything's Coming Up Roses!
ALERT, SENSORY OVERLOAD!!
AA is back in my good graces cause the planes ran on time. All that anxiety for nuthin! Our trusty driver, Jorge, was waiting for us outside of customs to take us on a 2 hour trip thru the Andes to our destination. Quito is pretty wild. It looks a bit like San Jose, Costa Rica, but at 10,000 feet. We'll explore it on Friday once we figure out how to breathe here. There it's nosebleed, here merely gasping for air.
This little village is so sweet. It's a different way of living i.e. living.
We woke up early Saturday to the ringing of the church bells, had a great and nourishing breakfast (they eat healthy here) and Jorge was outside polishing his taxi while he waited for us. These have to be the friendliest and most respectful people we've ever met. Everyone says hello and means it. There's not a pile of poo poo in sight tho' dogs run free. If I find some on my shoe, I'll let you know. I have no idea where it goes.
On the way to Otavalo we passed an Indigenous (they even refer to themselves that way) funeral. They always dress the same and you can tell where they are from that way. The procession had about 25 people in it. The woman had the long black skirts, black cotton sandles, white puff sleeved embrodered blouses, colorful wovenbelts and long braids with a folded type scarf on their heads. The men had white sandels, white pants and shirts,blue ponchos and long a braid under their Panama hats.Four of them held the casket up in the air and the women had their babies on their backs in white cotton sacks and were carrying large sacks of food for the feast at the cemetery. It was something so visual and different, tho I'm sure they would think the same of our police escorted processions.
The market was wild. There were cows, pigs, guinea pigs (cuy) turkeys chickens, dogs, cats, fighting cocks (they don't use the razors), llama's and on and on and on. Everyone was cooking pigs and rice in enormous pots, tho the stink of the live pigs was stronger than the aroma of the cooked ones, so I waited to eat. Not only were the Otavalian Indigenous there, but other ones in different dress from different areas. You can tell where they are from by their traditional clothing. Of course, some of the teens had on jeans and tees but many were traditional (probably forced to by their parents--some things are universal).
Then we went off to the market which was enormous.It filled about a third of a city of 60,000. Each booth had more colorful items then I've ever seen. You want it-it was there. And the food smelled wonderful. I chose a whole fried Tilapia that I ate with my fingers. This was not farm raised and what a difference. I wanted to buy some Andean musical instruments and Jorge took us to the home of a well known Andean musical family. Not only did we buy instrumennts that they had made, but they gave us a little concert and demostration. Django will be so excited to get his new rythm instrument made of sheep toenails. I bet he'll be the first in his crowd to have one. Talk about a chick magnet!To be continued (about the roses)
AA is back in my good graces cause the planes ran on time. All that anxiety for nuthin! Our trusty driver, Jorge, was waiting for us outside of customs to take us on a 2 hour trip thru the Andes to our destination. Quito is pretty wild. It looks a bit like San Jose, Costa Rica, but at 10,000 feet. We'll explore it on Friday once we figure out how to breathe here. There it's nosebleed, here merely gasping for air.
This little village is so sweet. It's a different way of living i.e. living.
We woke up early Saturday to the ringing of the church bells, had a great and nourishing breakfast (they eat healthy here) and Jorge was outside polishing his taxi while he waited for us. These have to be the friendliest and most respectful people we've ever met. Everyone says hello and means it. There's not a pile of poo poo in sight tho' dogs run free. If I find some on my shoe, I'll let you know. I have no idea where it goes.
On the way to Otavalo we passed an Indigenous (they even refer to themselves that way) funeral. They always dress the same and you can tell where they are from that way. The procession had about 25 people in it. The woman had the long black skirts, black cotton sandles, white puff sleeved embrodered blouses, colorful wovenbelts and long braids with a folded type scarf on their heads. The men had white sandels, white pants and shirts,blue ponchos and long a braid under their Panama hats.Four of them held the casket up in the air and the women had their babies on their backs in white cotton sacks and were carrying large sacks of food for the feast at the cemetery. It was something so visual and different, tho I'm sure they would think the same of our police escorted processions.
The market was wild. There were cows, pigs, guinea pigs (cuy) turkeys chickens, dogs, cats, fighting cocks (they don't use the razors), llama's and on and on and on. Everyone was cooking pigs and rice in enormous pots, tho the stink of the live pigs was stronger than the aroma of the cooked ones, so I waited to eat. Not only were the Otavalian Indigenous there, but other ones in different dress from different areas. You can tell where they are from by their traditional clothing. Of course, some of the teens had on jeans and tees but many were traditional (probably forced to by their parents--some things are universal).
Then we went off to the market which was enormous.It filled about a third of a city of 60,000. Each booth had more colorful items then I've ever seen. You want it-it was there. And the food smelled wonderful. I chose a whole fried Tilapia that I ate with my fingers. This was not farm raised and what a difference. I wanted to buy some Andean musical instruments and Jorge took us to the home of a well known Andean musical family. Not only did we buy instrumennts that they had made, but they gave us a little concert and demostration. Django will be so excited to get his new rythm instrument made of sheep toenails. I bet he'll be the first in his crowd to have one. Talk about a chick magnet!To be continued (about the roses)
Friday, October 7, 2011
Leavin' On a Jet Plane
V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N
Time for all good boys and girls to brush away the cobwebs, shake off the heebie jeebies and get the heck out of Dodge. No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks (tho we will have a lap-top, twitter, I-phone, and I-Pad.) Kathy is kind enough to babysit the dog and our first flight leaves here at 2. We arrive in Quito at 7 and on to Cotacachi. We will go from nose-bleed territory to merely gasping for air. Tomorrow we start off at the animal auction so now-----we're off to the races. See ya soon!
Time for all good boys and girls to brush away the cobwebs, shake off the heebie jeebies and get the heck out of Dodge. No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers dirty looks (tho we will have a lap-top, twitter, I-phone, and I-Pad.) Kathy is kind enough to babysit the dog and our first flight leaves here at 2. We arrive in Quito at 7 and on to Cotacachi. We will go from nose-bleed territory to merely gasping for air. Tomorrow we start off at the animal auction so now-----we're off to the races. See ya soon!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Viva Evita!
Hola famila Argentina, HolaMargarita, Titina Pichi, Adriana, Kevin, Fiama, Estella, Hugito, y mas y mas y mas. Tanto's Elvrias'! Bienvenitos a mi blog.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
In Search of the Perfect Panama
I knew we could count on Mo. She fearlessly went in search of the perfect Panama in the jungles of Milan. She has a few scratches, but she survived and was able to put her stamp on the cover of this-- whatever it's going to be. Muchas Gracias, Marilia.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines!
Just one week to go before the grand adventure. Looks like lots of showers, so ponchos it is. Moving on to make this thing colorful is the maestro of blogging: May I present our own Mo Garcia. Go Mo!
Friday, September 2, 2011
South of the Border fun fact
A tip of a $25,000 Panama hat to Georgina for this site. Go to www.brentblack.com and see what real Panama hats are all about. It's fascinating and a must read. Thanks old friend!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
South of the Border fun fact
The Amazon Rainforest is spread over 8 South American countries: Brazil, Bolivia, Columbia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. Now that's a bigga spicy meataball!!
Monday, August 29, 2011
2nd S.O.B. fun fact of the day
As duly noted by my faithful and brilliant follower, one Django (funny, but I have a son by the same name--coinkydinky? I think not): Charles Darwin did, if fact,establish his main arguments for the Theory of Evolution while living in the Galapagos.
I Feel Pithy, Oh So Pithy
Don't know why that great song keeps being played in my mind. I suppose I need to be full of pith and vinegar to be readable. It's a bumper sticker world! I want to be the pithiest of the pithy.
Pink Panama with a Purple Hatband
Can't wait to get to the Otavalo Market. I am bound and determined to get a Pink Panama. I can change hatbands. I'm curious. Can I get one custom made? Anyone? Anyone?
South of the Border fun fact
One of the delicacies of Ecuador is Tronquito. It's a soup that is, shall we say, the alternative to Rocky Mountain oysters.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Today's Fun fact redux
Django pointed out that today's fun fact is, in fact, not much fun. But, it's a fact jack and it's S.O.B. so I'm stickin' to it!
Journey to the Center continued
In answer to my 4 corners/ equator question: we arrive in Quito in the spring and 2 hours later we will be enjoying a fall day in our destination. It won't give me much time to recuperate from spring fever but it will be a 2,000 ft drop for the gasping for air 10,000 ft. altitude of Quito to a relatively, nothing like sea-level but breathable, 7,800 ft. A thermos of canela/panelo tea awaits us to ease the transition. Our Bolivian friends brought us Coca tea which they said is good for that (they are at a nosebleeding 14,000ft), however I have been told by those in the know that the dogs at the airport will think it is something else, and that would ruin our trip. So, no brainer here,we leave the tea at home. See how friends keep us safe?!
South of the Border fun fact
Cotapaxi (17 miles south of the capital of Quito) is one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. The main danger of an eruption would be the ice flow from its glacier!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Preparing for the Journey to the center of the earth (equator, that is)
Woke up in my brave new world thinking about the equator. Is it a line? Can we see it? Can we stand with one foot in spring and one in fall like standing at the 4 corners with body parts in 4 states? Something to look into today. I'll get back to you.......
South of the Border fun fact
The Galapago Islands, which are off shore but part of Ecuador, are named for the giant tortoises found there.
Friday, August 26, 2011
South of the Border fun fact of the day
Did you know that Panama hats come from Ecuador? They are made from the plaited leaves of the Toquilla straw plant. I love hats and plan on buying a few differents colors and style--they pack well. FDR anyone??
Let Me Entertain You
Hello world! This is the start of something new and beautiful. For me, life has always been a series of moments held together by duct tape. There have been great moments, sad moments, funny moments, broke moments, satified moments, hungry moments, creative moments and every other type of moment that make up my own special human condition. The moments I have always tried to avoid are boring moments of which there have been quite a few lately, so now is a perfect time to shoo them away into the netherland of a giant yawn.. Is that possible? I say, why not, so let's get this party started.
Oh, I almost forgot, you don't even know me. Well, that will change right now. I am the Gringa. I have been named that by my Argentine husband. I don't think it's quite like being named Ms. Fabulous or Mrs. Gorgeous, in fact I think it's a bit insulting, but since I believe it's a twisted term of endearment just for me, I have embraced it. I even have it embroidered on my luggage. No tatoos yet, but who knows what will happen tomorrow or the day after. My new life is starting right now. I am a newborn. I will start my new life without turning blue or screaming but I am prepared to work hard for attention. Since I have plenty of practice with7 siblings in my past life , this will be a walk in the park. Now, however, it's nighttime so I must carry a big flashlight to shine on the rocks that always litter the path. Maybe now these rocks will turn out to be giant gold nuggets. Ah, the possibilities.
In October we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and we will be going to a small village in Ecuador. The town is Cotacachi and we found it on Househunters International. This won't be a trip to Rome, Buenos Aires, London, Paris or Madrid. This will be an adventure like no other I've had. This is an adventure I cannot buy. This is one I must earn. I am making friends with people I have yet to meet, but are making me feel safe, like friends do. I am already discovering my new culture, new style, even a new language beside the Spanish I speak (so poorly). My new life will be away from politics, religion and anything that reflects on the negativity in the world. This is a new reality. One that I will create with an abundance of available material to build this new foundation. It will be my world of color, of simplicity, of cooperation, of good health and good nutrition. It will be filled with more beauty than I have known. Beauty that must be discovered, not that I can pay an admission price to see. It will take work to uncover it, but it will dazzle in a clear and perfect way. I will start to document the plans for this incredible upcoming joyful journey.
Oh, I almost forgot, you don't even know me. Well, that will change right now. I am the Gringa. I have been named that by my Argentine husband. I don't think it's quite like being named Ms. Fabulous or Mrs. Gorgeous, in fact I think it's a bit insulting, but since I believe it's a twisted term of endearment just for me, I have embraced it. I even have it embroidered on my luggage. No tatoos yet, but who knows what will happen tomorrow or the day after. My new life is starting right now. I am a newborn. I will start my new life without turning blue or screaming but I am prepared to work hard for attention. Since I have plenty of practice with7 siblings in my past life , this will be a walk in the park. Now, however, it's nighttime so I must carry a big flashlight to shine on the rocks that always litter the path. Maybe now these rocks will turn out to be giant gold nuggets. Ah, the possibilities.
In October we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary and we will be going to a small village in Ecuador. The town is Cotacachi and we found it on Househunters International. This won't be a trip to Rome, Buenos Aires, London, Paris or Madrid. This will be an adventure like no other I've had. This is an adventure I cannot buy. This is one I must earn. I am making friends with people I have yet to meet, but are making me feel safe, like friends do. I am already discovering my new culture, new style, even a new language beside the Spanish I speak (so poorly). My new life will be away from politics, religion and anything that reflects on the negativity in the world. This is a new reality. One that I will create with an abundance of available material to build this new foundation. It will be my world of color, of simplicity, of cooperation, of good health and good nutrition. It will be filled with more beauty than I have known. Beauty that must be discovered, not that I can pay an admission price to see. It will take work to uncover it, but it will dazzle in a clear and perfect way. I will start to document the plans for this incredible upcoming joyful journey.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)