It's been a week since I arrived home from Ecuador, tired after a long day of travel but feeling totally exhilarated. Below are just a few thoughts that have occurred to me over the past week as I've had some time to reflect on my trip from both a personal and a professional basis. Some are lessons learned, others are just observations.
1. Canada can be an isolating place. We are much less likely to speak to a stranger (or even a neighbour.) I miss living life with people - the colleagues who became friends, the fellow travelers on journeys of their own, and all of the wonderful Ecuadorian people we met along the way.
2. Be bold. Put yourself out there. Try something new. Take chances. Live out loud. You won't regret it.
3. We make our lives way too complicated in Canada. Just enjoy and embrace simplicity.
4. The solutions to "stupid" poverty do not always have to be difficult or expensive.
5. The poor are not below us and they are not waiting for a handout. They are simply fellow human beings trying to get by, just like you and me.
6. Silence, and the silence of nature is an amazing thing. My life in Canada is way too loud.
7. Satan controls institutional religion and keeps people living in darkness and fear. More Jesus, less religions tradition.
8. "They" are poor in material things. "We" are poor in freedom and joy.
9. Spiritual forces are far closer to the surface outside of North America. We just don't pay attention here.
10. When you see what a difference a little help makes, how can you not give more?
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
I Have A Dream
Forty-seven years ago today, Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech in Washington D.C. It remains today one of the most significant speeches of all-time and continues to inspire me every time I hear it. The full text of the speech is copied below but I suggest you watch the video at the bottom to get the full power of MLK's words from the man himself.
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.
But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. And so we've come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.
In a sense we've come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the "unalienable Rights" of "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note, insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds."
But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we've come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.
We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.
It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
But there is something that I must say to my people, who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice: In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom.
We cannot walk alone.
And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead.
We cannot turn back.
There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."¹
I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest -- quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.
Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends.
And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today!
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."2
This is our hope, and this is the faith that I go back to the South with.
With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
And this will be the day -- this will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with new meaning:
My country 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the Pilgrim's pride,
From every mountainside, let freedom ring!
And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true.
And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.
Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.
Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.
Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.
Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.
But not only that:
Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.
Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.
Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.
From every mountainside, let freedom ring.
And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:
Free at last! Free at last!
Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Finally Home
After 24 hours of travel I arrived home Sunday morning close to 3:00 AM. I crawled into bed and slept until 10:45 which is the most sleep I've had in one night since leaving almost two weeks ago. The flights went mostly okay, except for two delays in Miami and my luggage getting stranded in Bogota. It's been found and should arrive at my door sometime later this week.
Thanks for coming along on this journey, both the incredible days with World Vision visiting communities in rural Equador as well as the adventures afterwards. Both weeks have changed me in so many ways that I'm finding it difficult to articulate right now. Come back again
in a few days when I've had a chance to do some reflecting for an update on just what kind of an impact this journey has had. I hope it's impacted you as well and welcome your comments either on the blog or via email. I look forward to hearing from you and connecting again soon.
Have I got a story to tell you...
Thanks for coming along on this journey, both the incredible days with World Vision visiting communities in rural Equador as well as the adventures afterwards. Both weeks have changed me in so many ways that I'm finding it difficult to articulate right now. Come back again
in a few days when I've had a chance to do some reflecting for an update on just what kind of an impact this journey has had. I hope it's impacted you as well and welcome your comments either on the blog or via email. I look forward to hearing from you and connecting again soon. Have I got a story to tell you...
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Chau Quito!
So, I'm up ridiculously early after less than three hours of sleep. Danny and I hung out in La Ronda one last time last night after having a McNifica at McDonald's just beside our hotel. I know, I know...but we just had to see what was different on the menu.
La Ronda was packed out tonight with everyone having a good time sipping their canazalo and listening to the live music pouring out of the little restaurants. We got a bit of the rock star treatment again (actually, Danny gets the rock star treatment; I get more of the rock star's manager treatment - think of him as Bono and me as Paul McGuiness) as a couple of blonde haired gringos in Ecuador and just generally soaked in the moment before leaving for the final time.
I'm off for the shuttle now for a flight from Quito to Bogota, another from Bogota to Fort Lauderdale, a bus to Miami, and finally a flight from Miami to Toronto. Assuming everything is on-time I should be home around 1:00 AM.
Catch ya' later!
For complete photos from the journey click here.
La Ronda was packed out tonight with everyone having a good time sipping their canazalo and listening to the live music pouring out of the little restaurants. We got a bit of the rock star treatment again (actually, Danny gets the rock star treatment; I get more of the rock star's manager treatment - think of him as Bono and me as Paul McGuiness) as a couple of blonde haired gringos in Ecuador and just generally soaked in the moment before leaving for the final time.
I'm off for the shuttle now for a flight from Quito to Bogota, another from Bogota to Fort Lauderdale, a bus to Miami, and finally a flight from Miami to Toronto. Assuming everything is on-time I should be home around 1:00 AM.
Catch ya' later!
For complete photos from the journey click here.
Friday, August 20, 2010
The Last Day...For Real This Time
I spent most of the day hanging out at the hotel today waiting to hear from Avianca about flight arrangements home. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning at 6:20 AM which means I have to be in the lobby at 4:00 AM for the shuttle to the airport. It's gonna be a loooooooong day.
I suppose most people would consider this a beautiful hotel but after what I've seen over the past couple of weeks I think my idea of beauty has been forever changed. I used to live for big, impressive hotels like this but right now I'd rather be in a little hostel in Mindo or playing with some kids in the dirty streets of a rural ADP community. That is real beauty. This is just a facade. I've been trying to live a simpler life over the past few years but after visiting here I'm longing for it in a deep, profound way. Perhaps I'll change my mind the next time an opportunity comes around, but as of right now, I can't imagine going on another resort/cruise vacation. Give me this simple life and let me live.
For complete photos from the journey click here.
I suppose most people would consider this a beautiful hotel but after what I've seen over the past couple of weeks I think my idea of beauty has been forever changed. I used to live for big, impressive hotels like this but right now I'd rather be in a little hostel in Mindo or playing with some kids in the dirty streets of a rural ADP community. That is real beauty. This is just a facade. I've been trying to live a simpler life over the past few years but after visiting here I'm longing for it in a deep, profound way. Perhaps I'll change my mind the next time an opportunity comes around, but as of right now, I can't imagine going on another resort/cruise vacation. Give me this simple life and let me live.
For complete photos from the journey click here.
NOT Heading Home Today
Well, well, well...some wishes do come true! Looks like I'm staying in Quito for another couple of days. The Avianca flight Michelle and I were on was cancelled tonight 30 minutes after we had already boarded the plane (mechanical issues of some kind.) Danny got bumped from his Delta flight as well, but Autumn managed to fly out.
The airline is putting us up in
the Hilton Colon hotel all expenses paid until we can be rescheduled. As Danny would put it, I "put myself out there" and sat with a couple of Ecuadorian folks (who now live in Toronto) for supper once we arrived back at the Hilton. It was great to share with them why I was in Ecuador and how much I loved their country. I was really touched when a kind gentleman named Mike thanked me for helping the children of Ecuador. As if I didn't already know it, comments like that remind me that I have the best job in the world.
Off to bed now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring...
For complete photos from the journey click here.
The airline is putting us up in
the Hilton Colon hotel all expenses paid until we can be rescheduled. As Danny would put it, I "put myself out there" and sat with a couple of Ecuadorian folks (who now live in Toronto) for supper once we arrived back at the Hilton. It was great to share with them why I was in Ecuador and how much I loved their country. I was really touched when a kind gentleman named Mike thanked me for helping the children of Ecuador. As if I didn't already know it, comments like that remind me that I have the best job in the world.Off to bed now. Who knows what tomorrow will bring...
For complete photos from the journey click here.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Heading Home Today
Today was a bit mellow as I think it was starting to sink in that we were not only leaving Ecuador, but also heading our own separate ways once we arrive in Canada. It has been a great two weeks shared with some incredible people who have been part of a life changing experience. I'm leaving Ecuador full of love and full of life. Everyone I've been traveling with has played a part in making this trip better than I could have ever imagined. It will be hard to say goodbye tonight.
We went to the Quito market again to pick up a few last-minute souvenirs then over to La Ronda one last time to have lunch and hang out at the hostel
where the other half of the group was staying. The rain started pouring down as Autumn, Danny, and I ducked into a little cafe for hot chocolate and coffee, matching the sadness that I (and I suspect everyone else) was feeling.
It's a little difficult to process these emotions right now. I know my family is back home in Canada, and I miss them terribly, but at the same time, I have a new bond with these friends and will miss seeing them every morning...miss the laughter, the discussions, the adventures, the loud moments and the quiet times we've shared. I'll even miss Danny saying, "Hey Brad, take a picture for me!"
Another two hours until it's time to head out. If I have a chance I'll update again. If not, Toronto here I come...
For complete photos from the journey click here.
We went to the Quito market again to pick up a few last-minute souvenirs then over to La Ronda one last time to have lunch and hang out at the hostel
where the other half of the group was staying. The rain started pouring down as Autumn, Danny, and I ducked into a little cafe for hot chocolate and coffee, matching the sadness that I (and I suspect everyone else) was feeling. It's a little difficult to process these emotions right now. I know my family is back home in Canada, and I miss them terribly, but at the same time, I have a new bond with these friends and will miss seeing them every morning...miss the laughter, the discussions, the adventures, the loud moments and the quiet times we've shared. I'll even miss Danny saying, "Hey Brad, take a picture for me!"
Another two hours until it's time to head out. If I have a chance I'll update again. If not, Toronto here I come...
For complete photos from the journey click here.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Back To Quito
I woke up early this morning, showered and packed for the trip back into Quito. I was hoping for a nice quiet morning before heading back into the busy city and that's exactly what I got. I grabbed a 
coffee in the lodge, took a few more hummingbird photos, then just sat on the patio overlooking the mountains being quiet and reflecting on how thankful I was that God had allowed me to be part of World Vision, to visit this amazing country, be blessed by incredible people, and now enjoy being outdoors in one of the most beautiful parts of His creation.
When I look back on my journey over the past 5 or 6 years, even in my wildest dreams I never could have imagined being here surrounded by good friends soaking in the beauty around us, but also remembering all of the people we have met in the ADP communities who have touched us in so many ways. It was such a good morning.
On the way back to Quito we stopped at the Mitidad del Mundo ("Middle of the World") monument on the equator. It was more or less a "been-there-done-that" activity that didn't take more than an hour including a bite to eat, but really, if you are this close you might as
well stop to take a few snapshots. After that it was back to the hotel to relax for a bit before heading out to La Ronda for the night. We ate at a Mexican restaurant, explored a few shops, and then found a small club with an amazing live band playing. I don't know if we'll ever hear of them again but I absolutely loved their blend of traditional music with rock rhythms. They reminded me of an Ecuadorian version of Great Big Sea. It didn't take long before a conga line was snaking through the place with all of us gringos joining in! It was a great ending to our final full day in Ecuador.
For complete photos from the journey click here.
coffee in the lodge, took a few more hummingbird photos, then just sat on the patio overlooking the mountains being quiet and reflecting on how thankful I was that God had allowed me to be part of World Vision, to visit this amazing country, be blessed by incredible people, and now enjoy being outdoors in one of the most beautiful parts of His creation. When I look back on my journey over the past 5 or 6 years, even in my wildest dreams I never could have imagined being here surrounded by good friends soaking in the beauty around us, but also remembering all of the people we have met in the ADP communities who have touched us in so many ways. It was such a good morning.
On the way back to Quito we stopped at the Mitidad del Mundo ("Middle of the World") monument on the equator. It was more or less a "been-there-done-that" activity that didn't take more than an hour including a bite to eat, but really, if you are this close you might as
well stop to take a few snapshots. After that it was back to the hotel to relax for a bit before heading out to La Ronda for the night. We ate at a Mexican restaurant, explored a few shops, and then found a small club with an amazing live band playing. I don't know if we'll ever hear of them again but I absolutely loved their blend of traditional music with rock rhythms. They reminded me of an Ecuadorian version of Great Big Sea. It didn't take long before a conga line was snaking through the place with all of us gringos joining in! It was a great ending to our final full day in Ecuador.For complete photos from the journey click here.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Another Amazing Day To Be Alive...Part 2
After playing soccer we headed back to Bird of Paradise to decide on our last activity before dinner. It had already been a pretty full day so we opted for a coffee tour. Without going into all of the details, we managed to catch the end of the chocolate tour at El Quetzal - the best part as it turned out - with samples of fresh cocoa that was being made into chocolate products. Have you ever tasted 100% cocoa? Not good. But just add some sugar and you can't get enough of it. Our host Joe also let us try some chili chocolate...yep, it is just what it sounds like. I wouldn't rush out to buy any, but it certainly wasn't the worst thing I've eaten.
It turns out the coffee farmer wasn't available so Joe gave us a mini lecture on coffee production and the elements to making a good cup of coffee. I can't remember if I've mentioned it earlier, but I've been drinking a lot of black coffee down here which is something I would never do at home. According to Joe it has a lot to do with the freshness of the coffee, the roasting method, and the water used. A few tips for you coffee lovers...
1. Never buy ground coffee, only
beans that are properly sealed.
2. Only grind enough coffee for what you are going to consume right away.
3. Storing ground coffee in the freezer is a waste of time.
4. If you can find unroasted beans in your area, buy them then roast them yourself either in a home roaster or even in a cast-iron frying pan (look up how to do it online first!)
5. Use fresh, reverse-osmosis filtered water for brewing to remove all impurities.
After the lecture, Joe took a couple of us to see his garden where he had not only coffee trees but also papaya and banana trees. Joe has an interesting story - he was born in Ecuador but has lived in the U.S. for decades. He spends 6 months in Michigan and 6 months in Ecuador every year and hopes to move back someday. Having visited the Mindo area where he lives I understand him wanting to live there permanently.
After the tour we met back on the main street in Mindo and bumped into William and his sister Gisella. It was so good to get to know them a bit outside of the context of tourist recommendations - both of them were just great people. Autumn handed out stickers to
Gisella's daughter and a couple of other kids who were still out. It was fun watching them smile and laugh from such a simple gift!
William then suggested we go to CasKaffeSu for dinner, a little hostal/restaurant just up one of the side streets. We had a great dinner, met some interesting people who were staying there, and talked to Sue the owner for a bit. At only $15/night (including breakfast) you can't go wrong.
After dinner it was back to Sachamatia for another quick soak in the hot tub then to sleep after another amazing day.
For complete photos from the journey click here.
It turns out the coffee farmer wasn't available so Joe gave us a mini lecture on coffee production and the elements to making a good cup of coffee. I can't remember if I've mentioned it earlier, but I've been drinking a lot of black coffee down here which is something I would never do at home. According to Joe it has a lot to do with the freshness of the coffee, the roasting method, and the water used. A few tips for you coffee lovers...
1. Never buy ground coffee, only
beans that are properly sealed.2. Only grind enough coffee for what you are going to consume right away.
3. Storing ground coffee in the freezer is a waste of time.
4. If you can find unroasted beans in your area, buy them then roast them yourself either in a home roaster or even in a cast-iron frying pan (look up how to do it online first!)
5. Use fresh, reverse-osmosis filtered water for brewing to remove all impurities.
After the lecture, Joe took a couple of us to see his garden where he had not only coffee trees but also papaya and banana trees. Joe has an interesting story - he was born in Ecuador but has lived in the U.S. for decades. He spends 6 months in Michigan and 6 months in Ecuador every year and hopes to move back someday. Having visited the Mindo area where he lives I understand him wanting to live there permanently.
After the tour we met back on the main street in Mindo and bumped into William and his sister Gisella. It was so good to get to know them a bit outside of the context of tourist recommendations - both of them were just great people. Autumn handed out stickers to
Gisella's daughter and a couple of other kids who were still out. It was fun watching them smile and laugh from such a simple gift! William then suggested we go to CasKaffeSu for dinner, a little hostal/restaurant just up one of the side streets. We had a great dinner, met some interesting people who were staying there, and talked to Sue the owner for a bit. At only $15/night (including breakfast) you can't go wrong.
After dinner it was back to Sachamatia for another quick soak in the hot tub then to sleep after another amazing day.
For complete photos from the journey click here.
Another Amazing Day To Be Alive...Part 1
We knew this was our only full day in Mindo so we packed it with as many activities as we could squeeze in. I got up early and shot some more photos of the hummingbirds and then did a video tour of the Sachamatia grounds before gathering for a quick breakfast then a cab into Mindo.
We all decided to do a gondola ride over the rainforest followed by a fifty minute hike through to a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail. We splashed through
the pool up to our knees at the base of the waterfall then I couldn't resist going right under. It was one of the best moments of my life! Total abandon and total freedom and total victory all rolled into one. After that, we hiked back out to a smaller waterfall for a quick look but had to get going again to catch our cab. A couple of us took our time just so we could stop and listen to the silence of nature - it was a really special moment.
Once we arrived back in town we went our separate ways for the afternoon. Doug and Michelle did some shopping, Autumn and I went horseriding, and Danny went in search of a local who would loan him a dirt bike for an hour. As Danny drove by a few minutes later, our helpful tourist guy William laughed his head off!
Autumn and I headed out on our ride just as the biggest downpour since we arrived let loose. By now we were all used to getting wet so we just kept on going until our guide stopped at a deserted campground for a break. Good move! Just as the sun broke through the clouds we were able to walk down to a gorgeous river, check out some beautiful tropical flowers, and discover a cool outdoor shower that someone had rigged up. After the break we headed back into town to drop off our horses and walk back to our meeting spot. Along the way I had one of the most thrilling experiences of my entire life.
We popped our heads through a cement doorway to see the local soccer pitch. A few guys were kicking the ball
around and, I can`t say for sure, but I think it may have been the local team out for a practice. We sat down to watch and take a couple of photos but before long they invited me out on the field to play with them. It was one of those "I can`t believe this is happening" moments that I will treasure forever. Who ever expects to play on a soccer pitch in a tiny town in the middle of Ecuador? I certainly didn`t. The day was only half over and I`d already had the time of my life...
For complete photos from the journey click here.
We all decided to do a gondola ride over the rainforest followed by a fifty minute hike through to a beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail. We splashed through
the pool up to our knees at the base of the waterfall then I couldn't resist going right under. It was one of the best moments of my life! Total abandon and total freedom and total victory all rolled into one. After that, we hiked back out to a smaller waterfall for a quick look but had to get going again to catch our cab. A couple of us took our time just so we could stop and listen to the silence of nature - it was a really special moment. Once we arrived back in town we went our separate ways for the afternoon. Doug and Michelle did some shopping, Autumn and I went horseriding, and Danny went in search of a local who would loan him a dirt bike for an hour. As Danny drove by a few minutes later, our helpful tourist guy William laughed his head off!
Autumn and I headed out on our ride just as the biggest downpour since we arrived let loose. By now we were all used to getting wet so we just kept on going until our guide stopped at a deserted campground for a break. Good move! Just as the sun broke through the clouds we were able to walk down to a gorgeous river, check out some beautiful tropical flowers, and discover a cool outdoor shower that someone had rigged up. After the break we headed back into town to drop off our horses and walk back to our meeting spot. Along the way I had one of the most thrilling experiences of my entire life.
We popped our heads through a cement doorway to see the local soccer pitch. A few guys were kicking the ball
around and, I can`t say for sure, but I think it may have been the local team out for a practice. We sat down to watch and take a couple of photos but before long they invited me out on the field to play with them. It was one of those "I can`t believe this is happening" moments that I will treasure forever. Who ever expects to play on a soccer pitch in a tiny town in the middle of Ecuador? I certainly didn`t. The day was only half over and I`d already had the time of my life...For complete photos from the journey click here.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Off To Mindo
We were up early today to get a taxi to the Ofelia bus terminal in Quito then caught a bus for the two hour drive to Mindo, a small town west of Quito. At 8:25, we crossed the equator into the northern hemisphere, then crossed back over again an hour later in the mountians on the way to our final destination. The scenery on this drive is absolutely gorgeous with mountain peaks and volcanoes passing by on each side but my heart was missing the people we met in the community ADP's last week.
Once we arrived at Sachamatia, our lodge just outside Mindo, we went to our rooms, unpacked, and headed for Mindo in a taxi. Well, a taxi of sorts. A cab out here is actually the back of a pick-up truck - some covered, some not. It was a lot of fun bumping along the rural roads into Mindo but not nearly as much fun as riding open-top, standing up on the way home. Somewhere on YouTube I think some video will show up that I'll link to later.
In Mindo we had some great help from William at the Bird of Paradise tourist shop. He would prove to be a continous source of good information and was incredibly patient as we had loads of questions. If you ever make it this way, be sure to give him your business. You won't be sorry.
Since it was now getting on in the afternoon we only had time to do one activity - ziplining across the canopy of the rain forest. I'd never done it before but had an amazing time flying up to 700 feet above the forest floor. It was amazing! Especially doing the superman - flying face forward across the sky. Amazing.
On the last ride I got to do the butterfly - flying upside down, spread-eagled to the end of the line. I hadn't realized it, but I had cut my forehead with my camera
when I passed it off to Danny before getting latched on. When I arrived on the other side the staff were freaking out a bit. Apparently one side of my forehead was covered in blood as I came flying in. They came running with cotton balls and alcohol and I think were quite worried about me but I was feeling totally exhilerated and wasn't at all concerned with the loss of a little blood. I got cleaned up and waited for the rest of the group who had a blast as well.
From there, we decided to walk back into Mindo instead of taking a cab. Such a great decision! It was a beautiful walk down a narrow road through dense forest, past rivers and old cabins. We had some good discussion, photo taking, and just tried to soak everything in. It's really hard to believe we are in such a beautiful place. It just doesn't seem real.
Back in Mindo we caught the open-top cab back to the hotel for dinner and then a soak in the hot tub. What a fantastic day!
For complete photos from the journey click here.
Once we arrived at Sachamatia, our lodge just outside Mindo, we went to our rooms, unpacked, and headed for Mindo in a taxi. Well, a taxi of sorts. A cab out here is actually the back of a pick-up truck - some covered, some not. It was a lot of fun bumping along the rural roads into Mindo but not nearly as much fun as riding open-top, standing up on the way home. Somewhere on YouTube I think some video will show up that I'll link to later.
In Mindo we had some great help from William at the Bird of Paradise tourist shop. He would prove to be a continous source of good information and was incredibly patient as we had loads of questions. If you ever make it this way, be sure to give him your business. You won't be sorry.
Since it was now getting on in the afternoon we only had time to do one activity - ziplining across the canopy of the rain forest. I'd never done it before but had an amazing time flying up to 700 feet above the forest floor. It was amazing! Especially doing the superman - flying face forward across the sky. Amazing.
On the last ride I got to do the butterfly - flying upside down, spread-eagled to the end of the line. I hadn't realized it, but I had cut my forehead with my camera
when I passed it off to Danny before getting latched on. When I arrived on the other side the staff were freaking out a bit. Apparently one side of my forehead was covered in blood as I came flying in. They came running with cotton balls and alcohol and I think were quite worried about me but I was feeling totally exhilerated and wasn't at all concerned with the loss of a little blood. I got cleaned up and waited for the rest of the group who had a blast as well.From there, we decided to walk back into Mindo instead of taking a cab. Such a great decision! It was a beautiful walk down a narrow road through dense forest, past rivers and old cabins. We had some good discussion, photo taking, and just tried to soak everything in. It's really hard to believe we are in such a beautiful place. It just doesn't seem real.
Back in Mindo we caught the open-top cab back to the hotel for dinner and then a soak in the hot tub. What a fantastic day!
For complete photos from the journey click here.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Strange Day
This has been one roller coaster of a day. It started off great with Danny and I having deep spiritual discussion and then I had a really powerful encounter with God a bit later in the shower (go figure.) Afterwards, we went down to grab some breakfast and then walked to the lavanderia (laundry mat) with Autumn to get some clothes washed. From that point things started going downhill...
We took a couple of cabs with the rest of the gang to visit the old town area again. After a bit of a wander we met up for lunch in Plaza San Francisco where Autumn's backback was almost pick-pocketed were it not for Danny's quick response. It was a very smooth attempt but our D-Mac managed to scare them off. The rest of our time in old town went off without any problems and we headed back to the hotel later this afternoon.
Danny and I had the cab driver drop us off at the lavanderia (Autumn was running a bit behind in a different taxi.) It wasn't quite ready yet so we decided to just walk down a couple of blocks to kill 30 minutes. Dumb move. We had a bit of an unnerving incident and got back to the lavendaria ASAP to just sit inside and wait. Autumn came just a couple of minutes later. We got our stuff and booted it back to the hotel. Frankly, I think we just got a little overconfident but thankfully God was watching over us so everything worked out fine. As Danny said later, "I can't believe we risked our lives for ironed socks!"
Tonight we went to the La Ronda section of old town to have some dinner at the Restaurante Negro Mala. It was a really quaint little place and was a nice relaxing way to end a rather disturbing day. From the moment we left the hotel this morning I had the sense that there was evil in the air. I really believe we dealt with a bit of spiritual warfare today - it wasn't the first time on this trip. I'm glad to be back where it is safe so we can begin our adventures in Mindo tomorrow.
We took a couple of cabs with the rest of the gang to visit the old town area again. After a bit of a wander we met up for lunch in Plaza San Francisco where Autumn's backback was almost pick-pocketed were it not for Danny's quick response. It was a very smooth attempt but our D-Mac managed to scare them off. The rest of our time in old town went off without any problems and we headed back to the hotel later this afternoon.
Danny and I had the cab driver drop us off at the lavanderia (Autumn was running a bit behind in a different taxi.) It wasn't quite ready yet so we decided to just walk down a couple of blocks to kill 30 minutes. Dumb move. We had a bit of an unnerving incident and got back to the lavendaria ASAP to just sit inside and wait. Autumn came just a couple of minutes later. We got our stuff and booted it back to the hotel. Frankly, I think we just got a little overconfident but thankfully God was watching over us so everything worked out fine. As Danny said later, "I can't believe we risked our lives for ironed socks!"
Tonight we went to the La Ronda section of old town to have some dinner at the Restaurante Negro Mala. It was a really quaint little place and was a nice relaxing way to end a rather disturbing day. From the moment we left the hotel this morning I had the sense that there was evil in the air. I really believe we dealt with a bit of spiritual warfare today - it wasn't the first time on this trip. I'm glad to be back where it is safe so we can begin our adventures in Mindo tomorrow.
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