Sign Sign Everywhere a Sign!
Ecuador – A few weekends ago while in Riobamba, I noted a simple-yet attractive sign inside a small cafe across the street from my hostal. White chalk on a large blackboard, it nudged the reader to take a seat. Perky hummingbirds hovered around the letters while whimsical lightbulbs illustrated the decor. How could one not stop and give them a little business?
The petite cafe was well scrubbed and inviting, and a soundtrack of unobtrusive music added to the atmosphere. The sign made me smile as I sipped what might have been the worst moccachino I’ve ever had as I waited on friends! The grilled cheese sandwich, however, was well made, and the owners were kind and attentive. In time, they’ll work out a better option for the coffee; my entire breakfast was an whopping three dollars! I marvel and often wonder how Ecuadorian restauranteurs can survive on such low prices!
I arrived knowing one member of Marta’s family – her lovely granddaughter Rowen, and I left with a huge new circle of ‘extended family.’ Through her beautiful family, Marta lives on through facial expressions and similar voice imprints, especially when they laugh!
Cayetina Cruz captivated us with a tribute to Marta… Marta was surely dancing beside her!
Short & Sweet – This is a Test!
This is a test – only a test – to see if the video (below) makes you smile! That’s my friend Cynthia in the center, and she participates in a drumming circle each Saturday night in Mindo.
Cynthia radiates happiness as she interacts with the locals, no matter if she’s on the coast or the highlands or in the cloudforest. I think that the music is the icing on her happiness cake – what do you think?!
If it’s possible, leave Cynthia and her friends a note on YouTube – or share the link via your social-media options!
Joe and I met in front of a cattle chute in the little village of Pueblo Nuevo de Bejuco – Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Knowing that the noon bus would soon be careening around the curve, I walked to the corral where another person was standing near the dusty intersection.
“Are you waiting for the bus?” I asked the tourist that seemed a bit out of place.
“Bus? There’s a bus?” he replied with wide-eyed wonder.
I don’t recall exactly how Joe mysteriously landed smack in the middle of the dusty cowboy pueblito, but he happily climbed aboard the “Bejuco-Jicaral Express,” the only public-transportation option for the rest of the day.
I was traveling a short distance to Playa San Miguel, and in the ten-minute ride Joe decided to bail out and experience what is often called one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
As the cliché goes, “The rest is history.” Joe’s unique personality warmed the hearts of the people in the area; one only had to mention his name, and others smiled. Wanting a part-time respite from his California life, Joe purchased a parcel of land and built a retreat where he embraced Costa Rica’s ‘Pura Vida’ culture.
I join many who are sobered by the news of his death.
From Loudwire: “The music world has lost another talent as bassist Joe Skyward, best known for his work with Sunny Day Real Estate and the Posies has passed away at the age of 57.
A more-worthy tribute will take time to gather information, photos and perhaps some testimonials from those who knew him. My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones.
The dengue and chikungunya side effects have all packed their bags and have left me in good health! Thank you so much for your support and concern as I regained my health. I am almost ready for the hurdles and am pain free. Yay!
Unfortunately, my Mindo friends are now the ones facing unexpected medical challenges, and I am in the cloud forest helping and will be mostly offline for the next few weeks. Julie is undergoing chemotherapy in Nebraska now, and I am helping Jim prepare to ship their belongings back to the USA. I will oversee their amazing property until it sells. It is with great sadness that I witness their dilemma, yet I am glad to be of help.
Ready to go to a fairy-tale reception?
(Cayambe Ecuador) Climb aboard the wedding-party bus! We’ll drive about three kilometers from the Mitad de Mundo site (of the wedding) to Hacienda Guachala, one of my favorite places in the Andes.
Elvis leads the way.. Have any of you ever been to Hacienda Guachala?
An injection of humor contributes to the BEST bus ride EVER!
Ahhh; I know where we are, and the entrance is a magical one! Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present to you, Hacienda Guachala!
I credit Roberto Moreno for introducing me to many wonderful people here in Ecuador. Many of them are now dear friends. He was a gifted net worker, and I sometimes said that he was in the wrong profession. Instead of being an attorney, he would have been great in the tourism or PR fields. He was always introducing like-minded people.
Rpberto’s friends and clients helped work on ‘Tres Manos” in the library conference area.
My best memory of him was when I was working on a large painting for his office. A new person was tending the front desk when an older man arrived and said that his wife had food poisoning and was in the hospital. The gentleman had a hearing problem and could not understand what the new gal was saying. Roberto had clients in his office, so I left the library/conference area, introduced myself to the gentleman and asked for details. I told him that I would be sure that Roberto received his message, which I did.
I was so relieved, and through Roberto, I gleaned two new lovely friends.
What weights he may have climbed to but fer the undertow?.
Student Show and Away We Go!
Of course I loved the zebra painting!
(Ecuador) Almost 200 people attended last night’s Student Exposition at Museo Bahia de Caraquez. Students of drawing, painting, computer, dance and drumming pooled their talents and put on a great show for their families and loved ones!
The positive associations with these costumes trump the KKK’s negative one.