Sunday, May 22, 2016
Our day started off with a walk on the beach. The water felt cold as it lapped over my feet walking on the shoreline. It is a beautiful sunny day on the coast today. It’s our last full day here, tomorrow we head back to Cuenca.
Walking along the beach we were all in our own thoughts. Easton was on a hunt for large conch shells that may have gotten trapped in the rocks from the receding tide. Monte had all the vim and vigor of a youthful pup running figure eights around us, dashing into the surf, and running back toward us. Heidi and I were just walking, looking, and taking it all in.
I feel at home on the beach. I recognized that my body feels good in this environment. There is something about the sun, the water, the sand, the rhythmic roll of the surf that makes my heart happy.
At the same time I was feeling a bit melancholy. The quietness in my head, the alone time with my thoughts, took me back to my dog Keeper and how she wont be walking with us on a beach any more. This thought made me sad. I miss her quirky and sweet presence.
Here our some pics and video of our beach walk.
We went and looked at some houses for rent in and around Olon today. The first house we saw was a furnished 3 bedroom with a balcony at it was sitting right on the edge of the ocean. It sounded really good in its description and looked great in the pictures, but when we got there the 3rd bedroom was a room on the back of the house, without insulation, and no windows, and hotter than heck. Also, as we walked through the front door, the realtor said, “This house is also for sale, and we will give you a few days notice if it sells”. I don’t think so bud.
The other few homes we looked at were either too far to walk to the beach, or walk to town, or had no views, or were too expensive. If we want to move to this area it is going to take some looking and some time to find the right place for us. Our challenge is going to be how we do that from Cuenca.
Chau.
Monte is adorable! Glad he was able to come along for the ride 🙂
We are too. He is a very good dog. Nice to have a dog to hug.
Monte sure loves the beach! I am still not use to his hair cut, but I bet he feels much cool. The beach looks amazing.
He has the best time! He makes me laugh, and he loves to play in the surf. He almost pulled my gym shorts off when we were on this walk. He’s a crack up.
I enjoy your blog.. I thought I’d give you my thoughts on living on the coast. I worked in Guayaquil from 2009 through July 2013, then was in Montanita till December 2013, where I managed construction on a house for a friend. I had a week-end room for a year (mid 2012-2013) near the down-town bridge in Montanita, with view across lagoon to beach. Bought a Montanita lot early on, spent many weekends there and in Olon in 2010-13. I spent more than a few weekends in Salinas too. By the time I left Montanita, I was content knowing I did not want to nor could I live there, or anywhere on the southern coast. For me, It’s too small, too limiting, too dirty, too many grey skies, to inconvenient.
I saw more than a few expats discovering the same thing from Ayampe to Los Tunas; moved in, bought places, sold places, left. I have good friends there, retired and/or business owners, but they understand how to put up with a lot of sub-standardness. The communas make progress difficult….
I enjoyed Guayaquil greatly, as it is more progressive, more modern, but still laid back. I work in Japan now, my 6th country to work and live, including Brazil and India. I’ve been to 20 other countries. Ecuador is my favorite, and I will retire in a few years in Cuenca. It is progressive, and there is a good inertia there to improve all aspects of life. You can’t deny how nice it is to have a vibrant expat community, selection of stores, good internet, restaurants, culture. Anywhere in Ecuador, it’s not like you’re ever going to be a local, or have a large circle of Ecuadorian friends as comfortable as Americans.. Even with excellent spanish skills you’ll always be a foreigner. I think that foreignness is less intense, less important in Guayaquil and Cuenca,
Sorry about your dog, short lives are their only shortcoming. Dealing with their sickness and decline and death is so very sad. Imagine how nice it would be if they had life spans like parrots… Nice that your remaining dog is happy and active. Dog friends are so darn nice.
good luck to you and family..
Thanks Terry. I appreciate you sharing your perspective. I don’t disagree with you about all the things Cuenca, and Guayaquil, offer. The conveniences are nice.
I’m at a point in my life where I am enjoying the small communities and very laid back lifestyle. Did you ever spend time in Bahia de Caraquez? For me, the size was just right. Old Ecuadorian town feel, new condos with modern conveniences, good internet, great weather and an ocean to swim in. Unfortunately, it took a beating from the earthquake.
Thanks for reading Terry and sharing your experience!
Todd