The Perfect Storm

Welcome back once again for another update from the glorious West coast of Ecuador.

Yes the storm reference is climatic as well as situational – it really has rained a lot this year! It is considered the wet season, so its not like it’s a surprise, but general consensus is that it’s the wettest wet season for the last five years or so. The dry but cooler season officially starts next week, but with the country-size chunks of ice in the Arctic/Antarctic that are threatening to cast themselves into the ocean, Im reluctant to make any kind of predictions on what the weather will be like for the next six months – much like the rest of life here, we will take it in our stride & enjoy it regardless.

The situational perfect storm is mine & the one I referred to last update. Yes, finally, I now have my residential visa – in addition to the smug grin, I allowed myself a self indulgent chuckle at the valid till section – it states………. indefinite!

The other half of that storm was the UK house sale & after three failed attempts I am very pleased to say, that has now come to a very pleasing conclusion with the credit to my account! 😀 Will it be enough, probably not, but that just gives me the opportunity to explore new revenue streams – worry & stress are no longer part of my vocabulary 😉

To be perfectly honest with you, it’s taking a little while to sink in, though in fairness, thinking back over this particular journey, the seed was first planted when I bought the house 1^st June 2000. Of course I didn’t know that back then, I just felt there was ‘more’. It was another six years before I first went to Peru to see Steve Perry & that’s when the seed got some water & a shot of baby-bio. So now here I am a decade later & almost at the end of this segment, with just the house build to go……heralding the start of another journey that will hopefully lead to a few more. I was reading something the other day where a person was expressing their dissatisfaction at having attained their goals. What they failed to grasp was their dreams were set by a 20yr old, but eventually realized by a 40yr old who no longer wanted the same things they did 20yrs before.

A Moment in Time

The dates on which things occur afford us the indulgence of celebrating their memory each time that date comes back around – 1^st of June will always stay with me (its easy to remember), I got my first record 25^th December 1974 (Music Explosion – Various Artists on K-Tel records), & now 22^nd May will join that chronology. This has lead Jeff & I to discuss naming the day…& its not as easy as you’d think. Naturally I am over thinking it, so when I tell you I considered National Simon Day, but thought it too long, so shortened it to NatSi Day, I don’t really need to explain why I had to go back to the drawing board! So Im throwing it open to the fan-base – answers on a postcard please, (that’s an in-joke to my mother), & until I pull a winner out of the bag, Im running with “Doble Dos Dias” – there’s any number of rationalizations for this, but I just like saying it in my best deep n throaty, Julio Iglesias 😉 ………..you are trying it yourself now  arent you & you like eet 😀

Ratatouille

In the run up to going live with our Exclusive group Retreats, I have been working with Roey on his Private retreats. Its given us a chance to see how we work together in practice, which fortunately is pretty good, or naturally symbiotic & organic if you prefer 😉 In terms of who does what, we both act as host & whilst Roey is giving lessons, I prepare sumptuous dining. I pick up fresh baked rolls, fruit & eggs on the way in & we are developing lunch & dinner recipes. In a baptism of fire, on the first day he leaves me to it &  he tells me “we have quinoa, make something with that”. Now Ive cooked before & Im pretty consistent in producing what I like & how I like it, but Id never heard of quinoa & certainly never used it before. A quick search & Id found something by the bbc health guide, so that’s good enough for me (like I know any different). Yes I had to make a stab at ingredient substitution for the things we cant get here, or at least not locally & that was interesting. I also found myself making my own chicken stock from scratch & guessing what temp the oven may be, so what affect they may have on cooking time. Im pleased to say Roey was equal parts surprised & relieved that he didn’t have to rustle up an emergency alternative. Confidence was high! So during the week Roey puts together a menu – he is trained in these things, tho we are still to document cooking instruction, we can get the ingredients & they all sound tasty.

So yesterday we were having a version of the classic spag-bol, but with only fresh toms, no puree & little in the way of “helpers”, the tomato just provides the sauce & the flavours are introduced as other ingredients. The spaghetti is from zucchini, another item I’m unfamiliar with, but all went according to my ‘made up as I went’ methodology. After skinning the zucchini, slicing out the seedy bits in the middle, I super-julienned them to create spaghetti. The sauce was delicious, so Im giving it the big ol Cheshire grin as the ‘spag’ simmered on the gas burner. When they got back from surfing, Roey comes over to see how its gone. After some back n forth between us, it turns out I had in fact made………….. cucumber spaghetti. All I can really say in my defense is that the cucumbers here do look more corgette than not, but amazingly they taste like Chinese noodles when boiled. 2nds were requested by everyone, so I say “Accidental Hero”  & if cucumber spaghetti isn’t actually a thing anywhere else yet, I’ll see y’all on Shark Tank 😉

Y Tu Mama Tambien (there was just no way I was going to use mamma mia!)

The big news this month of course was the Royal visit – my mum came to stay 🙂

She has kindly taken the time to write an account of her trip, so I will hand you over to the Mamma SuzieQ in her own words for this next section.

My time & overview of Ecuador

The journey

Flight, waiting time & journey from airport to Si’s place roughly twenty hours.

Driving from the airport (Si had met me at Guayaquil Airport)  I was immediately impressed that your car can be parked almost outside the entrance with just a small parking fee.

Our journey being around three hours I was prepared to relax & take everything in, oops no a piggy fallen on the road but a quick heave ho and back on the open truck ( why wouldn’t he escape sure he wasn’t going anywhere special)

I’m not the best car passenger it is to be said but the road users over here have no rules or etiquette Everyman for himself I’d say and No seat belts for rear passengers🙄so I’m now concentrating on how amazing and green everything is with rolling hills a background of mountains the wonderful floral vegetation yes it’s a beautiful country.

We pass several villages and I can’t quite get my head around that no building seems finished or in a state of neglect but indeed people live in these dwellings as is evident from the activity of people, children odd bits of furniture, hanging wires and all the rubbish that surrounds them not of course forgetting the dogs & cats. I’m glossing over this as Simon has repeatedly told me 😴their system is whenever they have funds buy a few breeze blocks tack onto another’s house and even if it’s just a room “it’s home, it’s theirs” when they have more money build a bit more, another room.

Having now looked in several of these homes you realise the walls are never plastered or any kind of decoration whatsoever and usually it’s the one room  but it cuts out homelessness & waiting lists if they have such a thing certainly not the giving welfare state we have in the UK.

Not everyone has electricity and I’d see women doing there washing in buckets or bowl outside their homes with not a washing machine in site.

We are now following the coast road which is a joy to see and shortly arrive at Simon’s home which is everything you see on the copious photos he & I have been sending, an idyllic spot, and everything he needs to sustain life.

The main benefit of course is having the wonderful view of the sea & whenever you feel like dipping toes it’s but a short distance away. The garden is very pretty I’ve yet to photo the humming bird they are too quick but so beautiful. (Now Got the little devil on video👍)

The food here is fairly healthy, fresh fruit aplenty, the “shop” around the corner you’d never know as it’s just an open door and someone’s house/room that just happens to sell a few provisions ( little extra cash) of course if you fancy chicken 🐓they’ll grab one kill and hand it to you oven ready still warm😝

Eating out, not that you have smart restaurants to the contrary they are basically a cafe at best with usually a little stove with nothing prepped so quite a wait but your not usually in a hurry & no good asking or deliberating on what fish as it’s whatever the catch of the day is, choices are Fish or Chicken even if the menus state otherwise.

The little bar to the right of Simons place was the best and so friendly they even deliver to us.

Fishermen go out in their precarious boats maybe for two nights, ( a lovely site seeing their bobbing lights on the sea’s horizon) so early morning they are hauling their catch which takes couple of hours with what seems most of the villagers coming to help as its darn hard work, but they earn a fish or two for their trouble.

Simons land

We went one day to see Simon’s land which is couple of miles inland armed with sun umbrella & chair as I intended to paint, it was so darn hot I thought I might actually pass out plus the dreaded mosquitos had a field day, trying to balance paints, pad, umbrella & swot flies didn’t make for a long stay ( Si had the idea he was going to scythe his ten foot tall undergrowth down even he had to give in, (mad dogs & Englishmen spring to mind) it is in a lovely location and I can’t wait to see his own designed “casa ” when it’s finished.

Business

The “Yoga Retreat” business started with Roiy an Israeli friend they already have bookings so it’s something they both enjoy and want to benefit from.

The Ecuadorian’s

I have met some lovely people the neighbour’s being very friendly & kind, there also two wonderful Canadians on a long stay next door, most people passing you locally will smile and say hola or even want to chat ( I say that in the loosest sense, on my part much arm waving whilst doing a Spanish accent)  however the towns people are not as accommodating in fact downright rude, i.e. If your queuing ( us Brits love a polite Q) for anything especially the loo be prepared to stand your ground or you’ll be left peeing your pants.

Apparently it’s not rude it’s their way, Rude.

The Bureaucracy

Spending just half a day with Simon trying to sort his paperwork, stamped, get authorised was a revelation to watch,  there is no system whatsoever not even a hint of any organisation you just go back and forth from one Notary’s office to the next in the street & when there was a glint of hope you might get something out of a long hot day “bang” no it’s closed for lunch come back in two hours, enough already I’m gone.

Bus journey back to Si’s place about hour an half was the usual as with all bus journeys the driver is hell bent on making your journey “interesting” you step on the bus he immediately puts his foot on full throttle sending you reeling, banging your legs, hitting everyone you pass with your bag as your trying to steady yourself, finding a seat not easy as they all have seats back as far as possible to sleep & of course close all the curtains making it difficult to see where your going as indeed I found out after getting off the wrong stop,  thank God for a passing taxi and with lots of arm waving, guttural sounds on my part & his sheer amusement I made it back to Si’s.

Simon decided to give me a treat & bit of luxury so leaving a day early we stayed the night in Guayaquil and the following day before flying home showed me the sights & highlights, they have a Mall with real shops albeit very expensive for Ecuadorian brands which according to my source is rubbish. I’ve never seen so many hawkers selling their wares & tares seeing who can scream & make the loudest noise which is deafening.

It was hard saying goodbye at the airport especially not knowing how long it will be before seeing him again.

Summary

My favourite time was the morning looking out to sea from the veranda.

The view, peace & sound of the sea I’ll always remember. **Now my screen saver**

My walks along the beach were a favourite daily ritual trying as best I might to photo those elusive 🦀 they are incredible to watch diving into their holes as they sense you from ten feet away, however the canny heron is a master at catching his breakfast one day I witnessed him catch three one after the other he can’t go wrong there are millions of them.

I think it’s a beautiful country & met some lovely people, hate the squalid conditions, hate you leave toilet paper in a basket, hate with a vengeance Mosquitos, missed having nice shops around didn’t see any even in the big towns, didn’t see any theatre’s or galleries but maybe a bit too much to expect.

The villagers life is simple but everyone seems so happy even without all the material possessions we have, so who’s to judge, I believe it’s also fairly safe in the village with a low crime rate.

It’s definitely a place for young people to enjoy the lifestyle of swimming, surfing, skydiving, yoga, meditation, I could go on😴

Backpackers swarm to a village called Montanita couple of villages from Simon & I can see why it’s a party town it’s always heaving with young people.

Simons village Curia is a much quieter & peaceful.

For me it’s not somewhere I would permanently retire to but long stays yes.

I’m still reeling from shock they don’t have a postal system here, (get real it is after all the 21st century) I’d forgotten to bring Simons precious bank card with me that he needs!! No matter I thought I’ll post! But no can do, Not even a DHL & they go everywhere.

Fortunately a friend is going to Ecuador so able to take Simon’s bank card.

Most of all I’m so pleased Simon is happy with his life in Ecuador ( why couldn’t it have been Cornwall or the Outer Hebrides ) as that’s what it’s all about finding peace and happiness, we have but the one life

So well done him for putting his dreams into practice a brave & courageous decision and I wish him well and thank him for showing & sharing his little piece of paradise.

Jaws

Yes there are quite a number of films called “Teeth” & thanks to ‘The Rock’, there are way too many called Tooth Fairy. There are even more about Dentists thanks to a long run in the 60’s by Bob Monkhouse & it is Dentists I want to talk about here. Using Jaws just seemed a little more dramatic, ok make that, melodramatic 😉

In an uncoordinated move that would put Insp. Clouseau to shame, I clonked my front teeth with my coffee cup – I felt things ‘move’, like they were suddenly too tight for my mouth. I closed my mouth in the hope they would realign & the left front crown crackled, snapped & then popped out onto the table. Oh thhhhiiiiit!

Id had the right hand one replaced a few years ago in UK at a rough cost of £900 & a bead of sweat broke on my forehead……what were my options here?! Naturally Id done the due diligence on healthcare – it is very good here & economical, far more so when compared to North America for example, but in the heat of the moment, my mind went blank. I walked to the mirror to survey the damage. My mind replayed the scene from Marathon Man, Its safe, please let it be safe….it wasn’t!

I needed to get this sorted as quickly as possible obviously, but I was expecting my mother to arrive in a couple of days & didn’t want to have to drag her around in search of oral sanctuary. A web search offered dental tourism, but only if I was outside of Ecuador & the few that are upscale enough to have websites, were plane rides away. As there seemed little option, I contacted one, sent him photos & he quickly came back with a can do attitude for $500, unfortunately it was fast approaching Easter, so his “can do” became “cant do for two weeks”. This was not looking good. I asked around & eventually someone said they’d heard there was someone who’d recommended someone in Salinas. Salinas is only 90mins away by bus, so now we are talking local 😉 I have a friend who has a friend who lives in Salinas & before long we had a whatsapp number for El Dentisto. A quick chat & sending of the photos & I was on the bus & on my way. A questionable exterior it has to be said & Ive seen the staircase in many a scary movie, a feeling not helped by the double bolted metal door into the surgery……

Once inside though it was a different story & I understood their need to protect the comfy leather sofas, the flat screen & all the shiny drills n such like. It took three visits in all, with him just gluing the cap back in initially to see me through the two days before he could take all the impressions, fit a plastic temp & then final fit. Neither he nor his nurse speak any English, but Im getting pretty good at getting my message across….& he was very patient & quick on the uptake. The whole experience was painless in every sense, well except the first walk up the stairs, & he did all this for $160. Check the photo, I wonder how many of you can tell which is the right one & which is the left 😀

Talking of photos, I’ve included a few randoms – a heron that’s taken a liking to my pillar, a turtle that didn’t make it (viewer discretion advised), Theres some shots of a mountain I went to see – 50 hectares for $150k, I mean its the whole mountain! Unfortunately I think youd have to spend that again at least just to get a road up there, & once up there, you. are. in. the. jungle. man! It seems my bike never fully recovered from its drowning & all the things that are supposed to turn & move, no longer do so, so I bought a new one 🙂  yes Im really working the fitness kick at the moment, which leads to the next set of shots – having lost the flab, Ive set about putting some muscle back on & adding some tone – its going well, narcissism rocks! 😉

Till next time

Si x