Friday, Apr 19, 2019
Visitors
Me, Lucero, and Antonio
I had a couple of guests this week. They are friends I met through Couchsurfing who are riding their bicycles through South America. Antonio and Lucero are from Puebla, Mexico. They began their journey from their beautiful colonial city in central Mexico five months ago, and have now reached the coast of Ecuador.
They stayed with me for 2 nights. It was a great opportunity to be back in “Spanish only” mode. I felt like I could understand their accent better than the Spanish speakers in Colombia, or even here in Ecuador. Still, I had had to ask them to repeat and repeat. They were patient though, and eventually I understood what they said.
Things That Weigh You Down
Ready for the Road
Antonio and Lucero each carry 70 pounds of gear on their bikes as they travel. They had already traveled the Sierras of Ecuador…Quito, Otavalo, Banos, Vilcabamba, Cuenca. I can’t imagine biking up some of the mountain terrain with my own weight, let alone an additional 70 pounds.
While they were here we did talk a little politics, causes for immigration and issues people face, and of course “the wall”. I find that it doesn’t matter if I am talking politics with an American or a Mexican, I find the whole conversation ultimately distasteful. So I offered them some pitahaya fruit (dragon fruit) and changed the flavor of the discussion. Seriously.
Antonio and Lucero headed for Salinas after hanging out on the beaches of Olon and Montanita. Salinas will be their last coastal stop before making their way to Peru. The two of them will be biking South America for an entire year. You can follow them on their blog The Bicycle Can Save the World
Things That Lift You Up
The weather continues to be phenomenal! I found myself in Puerto Lopez having lunch on the beach. A $3.50 almuerzo of freshly caught battered fish. It was outstanding. As I sat and enjoyed my surroundings I noticed the colors of the hammocks against the blue water. I love color in life.
And the sunsets have been nothing short of amazing. Here is one I think you will enjoy.
Chau.
I am enjoying your blog. And it sounds like you are enjoying your new country and life. I am still undecided on my new country, I loved, loved Ecuador, and Olon; my big challenge is fresh green vegetables!!! As for biking, their journey amazes me; hills I can handle, but Ecuador has Mountains.
Thanks for reading Moira. Antonio and Lucero are having a great adventure. Very inspiring people. Where are you looking to live now?
Hey Todd, no decision as yet, and thoroughly enjoying the exploring. Have spent time in Portugal (three weeks last September/October), and currently doing the same in Spain (who knew the beautiful coast could also be really cold when the rains finally arrived). I will keep in touch since I know I’ll have loads of questions when it comes time to make the selection. And happy to share my experiences.
I haven’t been to Spain or Portugal yet Moira. Can’t wait to experience that someday…when it is warm!
The Spanish accent can be so thick or different on the coast that a lot of people in the Andes can’t understand them. I think Cuencanos talk pretty clearly and slowly, I’m just not fluent.
I agree that the Cuencanos speak much clearer than the locals on the coast Paul. I’m not sure they speak “slow” though. But so far I haven’t thought any Spanish speaking person I have encountered anywhere has spoken slow, so it may be the listener and not the speaker that is the issue. 😉 Lol.