idonotwantapickle.com / People ask why "Follow the White Rabbit". Whether you take it literally or metaphorically. Following the white rabbit means, to follow an unlikely clue, an innocuous unbelievable sign, to find oneself in the midst of more or less normal to extraordinary, marvelous, amazing circumstances that challenge one's fundamental beliefs, expands one's horizons and or perception of realities, transforms one's perspective and change one's life.
Machalilla national park is named for a village inside it’s borders. Los Frailes beach is very beautiful. One of my favorites. Talin you were right a must see. They even checked my passport at the entry gate. Favorite spot for Ecuadorians for sure and I can see why.
Spent the night in Mompichi a fishing village with about 2000 people. My kind of town, the water is warm and sandy streets. North of town is a very nice all inclusive resort that costs $280 for 3 nights per person. Town is much cheaper. We paid $25 per person for a very nice room with a patio and hammock, pool, hot tub and breakfast. That was showing up on Saturday night with no reservation. There are much cheaper accommodations available. Back from the beach is a 14 room hostel, including restaurant/bar built in 2012 for $85,000 hmmmm. Very laid back village.
Every Monday at 9am the palace guards hand off responsibility of the palace. The band marches out of the palace. Then both the out and in going guards march into the square. They face each other the flag is raised. Everyone sings the national anthem and the sword is passed to the incoming. This something that is not done for the tourist but for the people of Ecuador. The presidents have come out during the ceremony to wave to the people from the palace balcony. Depends on how popular they, either cheers or boos. I really enjoyed it.
I know this has nothing to do with my trip but I have to give a plug for my buds store that has just opened. If you are in Colfax, California stop in at the soon to be world famous general store. Say hi to Bob and if he’s in a good mood maybe he’ll sing you a song. Helps to take cold Heinekens with you!
During the solstice twice a year for a few minutes there are no shadows as the sun shines straight down the tube.
Thanks everyone for the emails, text, and comments on the site. Great to hear from you.
Ecuador is very beautiful country and I have seen so little. The people have been wonderful. Currently I am staying near old town Quito in the Chakana Hotel. The location is great, the rooms are nice, the restaurant serves great food at a fair price and the staff has been excellent. They are friendly and go out of the way to help you when they can. This is my go to place when visiting Quito.
Picture is a morning shot out my room window. I really didn’t plan on being around Quito for a couple of weeks. Truthfully I didn’t plan anything but to show up to the IL conference then go from there. Met some great people there, a few I hope to be good friends with for along time. They are either home now or spread about Ecuador.
Quito is a huge busy city. The altitude can really kick your butt. I watch some of the people just chug up these hills like a diesel truck in low gear. Carrying packages and wearing wool jackets not even breaking a sweat. I have been taking free walking tours in different areas in the town and appreciate the flat spots. I have been sleeping like a happy dog that has been chasing a ball all day.
I have my dental appointment today. Hoping it’s painless haha. Booked a trip for 7 nights on a boat in the Galapagos visiting a few different islands from the 9th to the 16th of September. Works out because I fly back to the states on the 17th so I’ll just sleep in the airport over night. Before the island trip I think I may spend 3 nights in Tambuca. Elesa and her family have a small B&B there. Figure to spend the time walking around the community hanging with the locals.
So in Quito until at least the 27th then I need to figure the next couple weeks. Turned off my U.S. phone. I brought an unlocked phone with me and a friend gave me a SIM card so I have a local number. I still get emails and text on my pad if I’m around Wi-Fi. I haven’t figured out how to send pictures from the camera to the tablet but will play with it in time.
So far it’s been a good adventure. Can’t say enough about the food. So good! Half the time I have no idea what I am getting until I taste it. A full meal can cost a 1.50 if you eat at a mercado for lunch. That is the budget meal. In a small resteraunte you get rice, beans, fried banana or planta with seafood or your choice of meat for 3 to 4 dollars. Burgers and fries for 5 dollars. I guess a big mac is 5 dollars but I have not been to McDonalds here. KFC is the big American food chain and I am curious how it tastes so will try it if I get a chance. The fresh fruits and vegetables are amazing and the choices are many in the markets. I was told there are over 200 kinds of potatoes. They love their starches here. Surprisingly not many vegetables make it to the plate. I can’t wait for the fresh seafood on the coast.
Spent a couple hours people watching at the park yesterday (really catching my breath). It was fun. The city workers played football during their lunch break using hard hats for goal posts. There were three children by themselves that caught my eye. The oldest around 6 watching her two brothers maybe 4 and 3. One of the city workers sat with them a while then went back to work. About a half hour later another sister showed up that was maybe 8 or 9. She brought the 3 smaller kids over next to me on the grass. She gave them some cookies and gave instructions to her sister to keep her brothers there until she came back. She grabbed a bag that she had brought with her and took off for the bus stop behind us. The two boys gave their sister who was watching them a hard time, poking her with sticks and making her cry. The oldest boy came up behind me to poke me and when I said no went back to poking his sister. I watched what the oldest was doing. Trying to sell bottled water at the bus stop. It dawned on me, they couldn’t go home until the older sister sold the water.
Two things. It is very safe for children or so it seems. Secondly people have to do many things here to get by. One job does not hack it for most families.
Well I wrote enough to bore most of you.
Hasta la proxima mi querida familia y amigos. Gracias forma los amables pensamientos. Randy
The cable car takes you from Quito (9600ft) up to 13000ft. Then the trail takes you into the clouds to 16000ft the top of the volcano.