Sweet Spot

October 25, 2014

Jorge's beach tienda

It was a little bit of a re-adjustment for me when I returned to Ecuador after spending two months in Germany with family, but I’ve fallen in love with Olón all over again.

I feel so lucky to live here – this really is just a great, great little town!

Olón is situated along one of the most beautiful, wide beaches on the coast of Ecuador, the weather is generally mild (though a little mucky this time of year), fresh seafood is readily available, and produce is cheap, diverse, and plentiful.  The pace of life is simpler, slower and more relaxed than in the States.

But I think more than anything, it is the local Ecuadorians who make this such a sweet spot to live.  They have been unfailingly kind, generous, and warm to me in the years that I have lived here.

Everywhere I go in town, I am greeted by friendly waves, sunny smiles, and hearty “hola Lees!”  (for some reason, virtually all my local friends call me “Leese” – adding an “s” to my name.  It’s taken me awhile to figure out the reason for this, but I think it’s because the name “Leigh”/“Lee” is an unfamiliar name to them, but the name “Liz” is not, so that’s what they call me).  At any rate, I am grateful for the congenial manner in which they have made me feel welcome in this community.

This “winter” (June through November) has been much milder than in years past, although the last couple of weeks the weather has been overcast, with a steady drizzle.  The locals take this in stride, and the town bustles with the normal daily activities (vendors on foot and bicycles hawking their wares, kids playing in the streets and the park, lots of construction continues to go on).

Every year around this time, a couple of
aerobic teachers show up several afternoons
a week to lead a large crowd of townies
in exercises.

Garage sales and thrift stores are not
concepts that have "caught on" in Ecuador, so
this relatively new vendor selling used
clothing in our park on weekends is somewhat
of a novel idea. 

Birthday parties for kids are a
BIG DEAL, and I recently attended one for my
4-yr old buddy, Sebastian.
His parents Vicente and Tomasa run
Johanita's tienda near my house.
It was really cute.  Total "Spiderman" theme.

I started taking Qi gong classes a couple of weeks ago (at Casa del Sol, with Tito).  It’s been a long, long time since I’ve done any type of workout, so I figured Qi gong was probably a good place to start.

I’ve been going a few mornings a week, and already feel the mental and physical well-being of going to these classes.

I've also recently gotten into the habit of buying a fresh coconut on the beach each day, and enjoying the milk, and then the meat.  I’m hearing and reading so much lately about the benefits of coconut water that I decided it was silly not to try it, since fresh coconuts are sold right on the beach ($1.50), ready to stick a straw in.

I am hooked now.  Coconut water is refreshing, nourishing, tasty, and rejuvenating.  And after I finish my drink, I return to my vendor Jorge, who obligingly hacks the coconut open, digs out all the meat, puts it in a plastic bag, and I have a healthy snack to bring home.

Jorge's son Teo preparing my
coconut meat "to go" after finishing my drink.

Photo courtesy of Robyn

I’ve been treating myself to some awesome massages (which are reasonably priced here and a number of specials are being offered during low season).

Last weekend, I enjoyed the $40 special combo of Spinal Alignment Thermal Massage and Deep Tissue Massage being offered the Bromelia Lodge in Dos Mangas.  It involved  40 minutes lying on a heated spinal alignment massage table, followed by a delightful (!) massage by Robyn Luck, a Licensed Massage Therapist, who normally works out of Punta Cielo Spa, on the point in Montañita (next to Casa del Sol).  Robyn also offers facials and scrubs, and just began teaching a Pilates class on Saturday mornings from 9-10 at the Montañita Gym.  Robyn can be contacted by phone at 097 964 6151, or through her FB page 

https://www.facebook.com/robynmassagemontanita.

Additionally, I’m fortunate that my new upstairs neighbor, Colleen Geis is also a massage therapist who offers:

• Massage Therapy:Advanced Training
• CranioSacral Therapy:Advanced Training
• Visceral Therapy
• Pranic Healing:Advanced Training

I’ve enjoyed a couple of sessions with her (and how very convenient that I only need to walk upstairs to get one - $30), though Colleen also will travel to your place (Cadeate to La Entrada) for an additional $5.  She knows her stuff, and worked out a few of my kinks after I returned from Germany, sore from lifting my grand-kids and fiddling with annoying buckles.   Her phone number is  093 982 6410.

Enjoying a sunny day at the beach
playing dominoes with some buddies.

Notice the KC Royals colors in the foreground?

But I guess the biggest highlight of the last few weeks was that I finally broke down and installed satellite TV.  I’ve gone four and a half years without broadcast television, and confess that on our more wet outdoor days, I’ve enjoyed catching up on shows I haven’t seen in a long time.

One of the bigger catalysts spurring me to install my dish is because Kansas City is my hometown, and the KC Royals are in the World Series.
I really want to watch these games!  

(Did I actually just say that???...I am not a big sports fan, and never imagined the words “I want to watch baseball on TV” would ever come out of my mouth).

Anyway the fourth game is about ready to start, and I am hooked, even if the broadcasts I am receiving are announced in español.

GO ROYALS!!!