Friday, Nov 30, 2018
The Countdown Begins
Well it looks like November is toast. The year is almost up. What do you want to have happen before 2018 is no more? Where will your focus be as 2019 rolls in? Have you made any progress on getting yourself to Ecuador yet? Hey, no pressure. 😉
It is hard to feel pressure living on the beach in Ecuador. From the easy-breezy blowing palms, to the melodic roll of peaceful waters onto a low-tide, sandy shore, it is just hard to get too anxious about much. I admit I am living in a bubble.
For the most part it moves slowly here, and tranquilo is a mantra. I am beginning to appreciate this pace more and more. I see why the locals find it so appealing. Still, I am not retired yet so I do have to figure out how to feed myself. I am enjoying this challenge from the coast of Ecuador! What a blessing for me.
Stars Abound
I came across more starfish on the beach. Not as many as before, but these three stars reminded me of Orion’s Belt. 
Feathered Friends
I’m not sure what these birds are called but I love walking by them. They stand straight and point out to sea as long as they can, but it is just too much for them when I approach. As I walk by they have to fly away. About 90% of the time they fly in the direction I am walking, land in my path, and within minutes need to do it all over again.
Family Time
I passed what I assume is a family (extended) who decided to throw out the fishing net into the surf. They all work together to catch their dinner. It is cool seeing the whole family doing this. When the toddler started screaming the boy and girl on the right ran over to see what was the problem. All was well.
Notice
I’m trying to stop and notice more what is around me. I loved watching the sun try to burn through the clouds the other day. It didn’t make it, but it sure tried.
Do You Smell That?
What would a walk on the beach be without something washing up. It appears this is a sea lion. I think it may have gotten tangled in fishing line or a net. I could still see some green line wrapped around it. I couldn’t believe the difference standing up wind and downwind of this sad animal.
Wow. The air was thick and it wasn’t pleasant.
Of course, the vultures were thrilled…
“My” Iguana
Speaking of things that have died. Remember my iguana that lived on my roof. It died! I don’t know how it happened, and it makes me sad. I got used to hearing his claws clamor across my rooftop.
Life has been good this week. I’m thankful. Have a great weekend everyone!
Chau
Hey Todd, nice and oh so familiar experiences – I made the move to a house on the beach in the village of San Jacinto in October of this year. The local expats are amazingly helpful and kind (so are the locals!), but I find the life pace so much more healthy and “good to me” despite the adjustments that will take some time to embrace (cistern water that is pumped through the house with a “cycle” of the engine pushing the water strong for 10 seconds, then subsiding for another 15 seconds, etc., arranging for 5 gallon “blue water” to be delivered for cooking and drinking, same with the gas cylinders that are delivered so my gas stove can operate, roosters always sounding off at 4 AM, the many dogs who roam and struggle to survive on the streets, getting used to “Ecuadorian time” so when someone says they’ll be by at 11 AM but then rolls in a few hours later, it’s no big deal, the loud and constant music piped into the buses as they continue to make what should be a 30 minute bus ride a one hour + ride simply because anyone who flags them down gets a ride vs. the “bus stop” concept in the states, the constant cleaning of everything in my house
due to the salt air and sand from living so close to the ocean, the corrosion of metal and electrical components which is constant, and the list goes on.
These adjustments and changes I’m very much willing to make as I get up every day to the sound of surf filing the house, watching from my terrace the pelican’s zipping mere inches off the surf, the amazing seafood market a two minute walk from my house where I am constantly amazed and thrilled with the variety of fish and shrimp that was literally in the ocean minutes before, the cooling breeze that is constant , body surfing in water that is comfortable year-round, the sunsets that never get old and always explode with reds, purples, yellows, blues and colors that you know you’ll never be able to capture by camera (but which I continue to try and do), my improved physical well-being which includes losing 23 pounds in my first 8 weeks due to more exercise, cleaner and better eating, the endless stretches of near people-less beaches with no encumbrances of seaweed, or debris or cutting rock – just flat, smooth sand as far as you can see, and the amused look of locals as this gringo stumbles through each day with hopefully improving Spanish (and never hurtful looks, each local helpful in my learning their language and being totally patient as that learning continues), not having to fight traffic, crowds, standing in massive lines (except at the local bank which can be a time consuming trip!), and most of all, the embracing of a slower and more healthy pace of living that I’m sure will add years to my life.
Life in Ecuador to me has been the best move in my life and I’m looking forward to many more years of this very special lifestyle – if you are passing through San Jacinto, look for the sign hanging outside my place on the beach – I named it Casa Musica” for the music I write, and I’ll make sure you can kick your feet up and enjoy the ocean view and have a relaxing break in this very special place called Ecuador.
Bruce
Hey Bruce, thanks for sharing your Ecuador experience. I have been in San Jacinto several times. It is a great place! I’ll look you up next time I come through. Enjoy the beach man!
Todd
Roger that – the door is always open. I’ll be back for good on 1/15/19. Can hardly wait…
Getting out and back in the nick of time Bruce. 🙂