Say Again?

September 26, 2013



Our mobile, local
"Container Store"

Earlier this week, we marked the autumnal equinox.

I always forget the difference between the “solitices” and the “equinoxes”.

Here is an article I came across recently (one of the best links I’ve found explaining it):

http://www.nbcnews.com/science/what-defines-end-summer-its-just-how-our-planet-tilted-4B11221602

In particular:

“The seasons are marked by solstices and equinoxes — astronomical terms that relate to Earth’s tilt.”

“The solstices mark the points at which the poles are tilted at their maximum toward or away from the sun. This is when the difference between the daylight hours and the nighttime hours is most acute. The solstices occur each year on June 20 or 21 and Dec. 21 or 22, and represent the official start of the summer and winter seasons.”

“The vernal equinox and autumnal equinox herald the beginning of spring and fall, respectively. At these times of the year, the sun appears to be directly over Earth’s equator, and the lengths of the day and the night are equal over most of the planet.”

“The seasons are a powerful force in our lives. They affect the activities we do, the foods we crave, and the clothes we wear— and quite often, the moods we are in. The seasons officially change once again on Sunday, with autumn beginning in the Northern Hemisphere and spring starting in the south”.
 

So, of course here in Ecuador, it is the beginning of our spring.

I’ve had quite a few locals (and gringos) tell me that – living this close to the Equator – the effects of the solstices/equinoxes and the full moons are felt more intensely…and I have to agree with that, to some degree.

 

 

Full Moon rises over Olón

 

 

Generally, this is the time of year when our weather in this pocket micro-climate is usually dreary (and frequently “drizzly”, though it is the “dry” season).

This is our fourth full-time “winter” here (June through November), and each one has been unalike.
I’ve given up predicting the weather.

Our first one was sweatshirt/sweatpants chilly, overcast, and very wet – and lasted for the full six months. Every local said then that they “couldn’t remember when it was this “COLD” in Olón.

Every year has been different, but none has been as nippy or as enduring since then.

We’re looking forward to the coming summer, and we've had exquisite weather recently.
Earlier than usual, but then again "winter" started earlier this year too...so maybe we'll have a sunnier fall (whoops, I mean "spring") this year on the Ecuadorian coast.

 

We took long, peaceful walks on the beach last week (as did everyone in town).

We also had a full moon around the same time. The convergence of the solstices/equinoxes and a full moon sometimes generate the “king tides”…




The “king tides” happen about once or twice a year.

The “king tides” are long, relatively slow and shallow tides that come up for a few days about 20-50 yards further than usual (up to/or into the seafood cabanas on our Olón beach, and to beachfront property fence lines).

Don’t ask me to explain this.

I have tried to research more, but still haven’t found definitive answer about the confluence of events that causes this to happen, but I have witnessed these king tides happening about once or twice a year.

 

I guess the main thing to “take away” from this post is that we “are opposite” on this southern side of the Equator.

BUT….not in all things…

About five years ago, I actually did have a visiting friend convinced that the toilets flushed counter clock-wise and the sun rose in the west.
But some things don’t change...even here.
The sun still rises in the east, and still sets in the west, over the Pacific Ocean.

Most times of year, we have breathtaking ocean sunsets here.
But try finding the Big Dipper on a clear night…or the damn elusive Southern Cross, which I still can’t find/recognize.

Courtesy of Kacie Frost
April 2013

 

Also, Ecuador is not a country in Africa.
Another question that was frequently asked A LOT when we first bought our properties here six years ago, though not asked much anymore – given Ecuador’s extensive exposure in the media lately.

 

We also went up to La Rinconada one day last week to a friend’s house (a local artist that Todd commissioned) who presented us with a 3D Sketch-Up for our house build, and am very excited about the ideas he came up with.  Now, to fine tune before we have blue prints drawn up.
La Rinconada is a small town about twenty minutes north of us – a beautiful area, adjacent to the Machalilla National Park.

 

 

 

Looking North from La Riconada
Islote Los Ahorcados in right background.
"Hanging Men Island"

 

 



Another house on the road into
La Riconada

The annual CITUP bus parade just passed through town a couple of nights ago.

At 2:00 AM in the morning…

Still kind of scratching my head about that.

I've got a few videos, which I posted on You-tube, since I can’t easily insert them into my Blogger posts anymore.
Click on these links to see:

"Olón Chicken Bus Parade #1"

"Olon Chicken Bus Parade #2" 

Usually this bus parade happens around 8-10PM before the yearly “taste of coast” event, though I haven’t seen it advertised this year.

(Reference the post “Knocked Up”).

Although we do have an Olón town party coming up in our park this Sunday night, with a popular Ecuadorian comedian, some dancing, and some prizes.

Jorge's At the Beach
has new juice blender.

 

The rest of the pictures posted here are just random ones taken during the last few months.



Local kids coming to our door
for some candy from our bowl.

Todd and one of our
Montanita friends, who joined us for
lunch a couple of days ago.