Take a Seat

January 7, 2012

Photo courtesy of Jack
A repeat pic on this blog,
but still one of the best photos
ever of Daisy.

Well, the week between Christmas and New Year’s was crazy as usual. The Olon party scene actually begins several weeks before-hand, with lots of Christmas lights around town, and generally starts with the local beauty pageant in our new park and stage, the Santa Lucia/Olon birthday celebration, and a number of cherry bombs set off at any given moment (as mentioned in earlier posts). Our dog Daisy is genuinely afraid of all the fireworks, and it is one of the few times we let her come inside, so she can feel safe, and cower in the shelter of our downstairs bathroom. Daisy was a beach stray that we adopted when we moved here (thank you, Elizabeth!). I suppose she was around 7-8 months old when she became part of our family, as well as everyone else living or visiting our barrio…Truly, she is the real and best ambassador of Jardines de Olon. Still, she is a beach dog at heart (a beach dog that doesn’t particularly like the water, has never been bathed – there would be no point anyway, since she would more than likely head right back down to the beach to roll in the sand, dig up crabs, eat some really gross dead seafood debris, and play with her playa buddies). She is most comfortable outside, lest anyone think that we are being too stern by enforcing “not in any house” rule.  And especially at night, she is fine with sleeping outside – the better to ward away (and keep us all safe) from the vagrant horses, cows, and shiftless dogs that wander the beach at night. And now that she is over two-years old (we think), she has become much more sensitive, bolder, mature, and vocal when people she doesn’t know show up in our neighborhood (day or night), and does keep a protective eye on her family here. There is not a one of us that doesn’t just love her to pieces.

Especially during the week between Christmas and New Year’s, many of the kids dress up in black, with cardboard masks, making spooky sounds, begging for candy or change. Sometimes they can be annoyingly persistent, but it’s a fun tradition (sort of like our gringo “Halloweens”).  Also, a lot of (straight or otherwise) guys dress up as girls and put on quite a few fun shows around the area during the holidays (the one I happened upon last weekend included a male donkey – don’t ask).

See the adjacent pictures. These are some that I’ve taken over the last few New Year’s in Ecuador (with the exception of 2009, we’ve been here for all of them since 2007 rang in 2008).

Papier-mâché effigies are burned on the beach, often loaded with fireworks, and bon-fires are lit…many of the rituals here are geared towards “burning away” the previous year, more so than “bringing in the new”.

At the blog site called “Bacon is Magic” (which many of you are probably already familiar with), Ayngelina shares some of her observations regarding some the Ecuadorian New Year’s traditions (some of which are familiar along our area of the coast, or some version of these) at this link:  http://www.baconismagic.ca/ecuador/yellow-panties-and-effigies-for-new-years-eve/

A sample effigy spotted this
year in Montanita

Nancy & Melanie

Todd and I had planned on spending a rather quiet New Year’s, especially after our local friend Melanie gave me a reflexology massage a couple of days before. She is certified in the technique, and what a treat! I melted like a Gumby for the next several days. Melanie is from England, but has lived in South America for many years, mostly in this area and has become a dear friend of ours. (She is pictured next to this paragraph, along with another sweet local friend of ours, Nancy, who is a talented seamstress). I cannot rave enough about all the Ecuadorian and transplanted residents living here.

Despite our best intentions to stay low-key this year, we ended up partying for three days, starting the EVE of New Year’s Eve, when friends started dropping by….a blur of a party, and it took Todd and I a couple of days in bed afterwards, reading and watching movies and re-hydrating with mucho agua to recuperate after the finale of fireworks and loud music blaring from everywhere.

Most of all, as Todd and I looked back over the past year, we are so grateful for all the remarkable folks we have gotten to know better since being here (locals, expats, visitors).

Dee & Dave

I first of all want to welcome all the new expats that have made the final leap this year:

Doug and Pam from New Hampshire who co-own one of the best on-the-Olon beach homes with my brother Jack.  Doug and Pam also own property on a beautiful hill over-looking the town of Olon and the ocean.

Barbara and Robert from Stanford who made an amazing permanent leap from Stanford to Curia (2 km north of Olon) since the start of 2011.

Dee and Dave (from Santa Cruz) who are probably the most kind, frank, least judgmental, generous people we have known, and we are delighted to have them as new neighbors. They are renting a house nearby while they build their new house on the hill-side of Olon too.

Karl Neumann and his lovely wife Regina (both who are very talented and accomplished) who bought one of the last lots remaining in Jardines de Olon, and are in the process of buying more property in our area as well.

Pam and Dee
decorating cookies for the
Olon Orphange Christmas Party

We are also looking forward to the arrival of new expats coming in the next year or so (who have bought or in the process of purchasing property along this area of the Ecuadorian coast):

In particular, Leigh, Neville, and Kyle Hudson (from Houston) now own property in Ballenita. We spent about a week together in our home when they came to visit last spring. These folks are just a blast, and a wonderful family.  Leigh (name spelled the same way as mine) and I have become good friends this past year. She is just a fire-ball of energy and enthusiasm. 

Local friends Ruth & Elizabeth
Richard & Judy on the right

Judy and Richard, a fascinating and fun couple who are purchasing land in San Jose (about 4 km north of us) whom we enjoyed for several days (and one very fun, fun evening) may be landing in Ecuador sometime this next year. Judy is coming back down in a couple weeks with a girlfriend, and we are looking forward to that visit.

Candace and Tom currently of Sedalia, MO are also another entertaining couple we enjoyed time with and they are buying property in Manglaralto (about 4 km south of us on the Ruta del Sol). Candace has just started a fledgling blog called “Ecuador...Adventure Awaits!"   Candace also has a passion for saving the large turtles that get caught in the fishermen’s nets (and end up dead, tragically swept by the currents upon our shores) and works with an organization called Earthrace Conservation that is providing practical and economically feasible solutions to this sad problem.

Left to Right:
Todd, Candace, Doug, Pam and Tom

And to Davida, who owns property on the Montanita hillside – you will make it here sooner or later…I am a firm believer that all things work out eventually as destined, and when the time is right, you will be here too, girlfriend.

Todd, Katie & Alex

Lastly, we are most thankful for the opportunity we’ve had meeting wonderful and intriguing visitors and guests this last year.

In particular, we enjoyed Diana Scherr and her lovely, lovely family during their visit (expats from Cuenca), Frank from New York/Pennsylvania, John F. (from New York too), Bill and Colleen from BC, Ladd and Marilyn (also from New York) along with Ladd’s mom Dallas.  We’ve also enjoyed the companionship of Alex and Katie (from the UK, currently based in Quito for awhile as teachers for an internationally-based school) who have come to visit Olon several times during their vacations.

Recently we had the chance to meet “Kiki” and Mike from Ventura, California. Kiki works for a company called Global Green Carbon (focused on environmental preservation projects).

One person who I didn’t have the opportunity to get together with in person was Tammy from Alabama, who writes a blog called “Tamster'sTravels", but they are returning later this year. However we had several lively phone conversations while she was here, and are still keeping in touch….and – gal – we are going to enjoy a few mojitos when you get back here.

A few years ago, Todd and I had a difficult time telling the Ecuadorians apart…These days, we are having a harder time keeping straight all the gringos that are coming through here. And so many coming are bringing special talents, skills and passions. It’s been an interesting ride so far, and we didn’t have many regrets to “burn away” from 2011.

One thing that can be counted on in life is “change”…It’s going to happen whether you like it or not. Better to flow with it than fight it; something Todd and I have learned better over this past year.

Todd and I wish you all a very adventuresome, peaceful, and soul-satisfying New Year…..

“In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while those who are learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists”

Eric Hoffer