What Ecuador Means to Me ~ Love

It’s been a while since my last post. My original plan to stay in South America until May changed when my son Cody surprised me by moving his wedding date up to March 7. After attending his beautiful wedding in Kansas, I decided to escape the remainder of this cold winter by hanging out in Florida & Jamaica (more about that later). The warm sunshine, serene atmosphere and sound of the surf was the perfect time for me to reflect on my adventures in Ecuador and the ways that travel has changed me.

At some point I’ll be posting some practical travel tips, but for this post I just want to share a little about what the journey meant to me. I have always heard that travel changes a person, but had no idea at the start of this journey how profound these changes would be.

It all started with the planning process and the letting go of “things” almost an entire year before setting out for Ecuador. I had no idea what freedom would come with the simplicity of having only a few material possessions. It’s hard to believe I was recently able to fit all my worldly possessions into one vehicle, but more about that later.

Once I had made the move to free up my belongings, the next step of my journey was learning to be brave and confident in myself. Other than a near panic attack as I left Miami for Quito, Ecuador, I became excited bout the adventures ahead. I’m so grateful that I was able to overcame my fears and be brave enough to take this incredible journey ~ it was so worth it!

Ecuador recap:

8 flights, 1 cruise, 4 bus rides, 4 canoe trips, and 2,560 miles on a 25 day road trip

What I learned:

To memorize my passport number (and to have plenty of copies on hand)

To slow down & not ever be in a hurry (If David said it would take two hours, it inevitably took four

Take extra soaps and shampoos with you from places you stay – the next place you stay may not have any.

Take fewer clothes & “things” – you will get tired of lugging it up 3 flights of stairs or feel extremely guilty at the older gentleman graciously carrying it up for you.

Dress in layers – it’s possible to experience 4 seasons in one day.

Try to always have change – for the nice gentlemen who just lugged your suitcase, for snacks & souvenirs, and even for the baños.

Go to the bathroom when one is available – you never know how long it might be until you get another chance. And in addition to change, you might want to have some toilet paper or Kleenex handy.

Smile and enjoy the world around you – the people, the landscape, the wildlife – whew – just breathe it all in!!!

I really can survive without internet – well at least for a couple of days at a time!

How to wash clothes in the sink – ring out water very well, lay flat on a towel, roll up and stomp extra water out, if a hairdryer is available try using that as well, hang overnight and if you’re very lucky and they are lightweight traveling clothes, not cotton, they might be dry in the morning. If not, choose your least dirty options and head out.

How to ask for (and understand) directions – There are a lot of changes in the road system and very few signs so stopping someone on the street for help is common – an experience in itself involving lots of hand motions and discussion. A group of 3 people will give you 3 different versions so you just go with the best possibility and stop someone a little further down the road if it didn’t work out.  Fortunately everyone is more than willing to help.

Things I had to get used to:

no hairdryer (or straightener & hair products,); no phone; walking uphill; high altitude; putting used toilet paper in trash; hanging clothes (including undies) on the line to dry; not eating salads;  little to no hot water for showers; carrying luggage up 2-3 flights of stairs every night;

Typical foods of Ecuador:

hot tea; instant coffee or a little bit of strong coffee with lots of warm leche (milk); delicious fresh fruits; rice (nearly every meal); soup at lunch with popcorn or corn nuts as a topping; bananas and plantains; coca tea to alleviate altitude sickness; sugar; guinea pig (actually couldn’t bring myself to try it), roasted pig; breakfast of eggs, a hard roll with cheese, and fresh jugo (juice); potatoes; chicken; trout; beef; always having desert at dinner; yummy ice cream

What I’ll miss the most (at least until I am able to return to Ecuador next year)

The warm & friendly people hooking arms as they walk & talk,  always taking time to acknowledge each other & strangers with a ~ buenos dias (good morning), buen provecho (Spanish for bon appetit/enjoy your meal)

The awesome fruit & juices – especially the mango & avocado

Strong coffee with warm milk

Soup before the main entrée at lunch (topped with either corn nuts or popcorn)

The mountains, valleys, & beautiful landscapes

The mix of old culture with new technology (cell phones while herding cattle from horses or even bikes).

The diversity of the nature and the culture

Slower pace

Laughter – I seemed to hear it everywhere – from the kitchens where cooking was going on; the cleaning staff at places we stay; on the streets; in the restaurants; everywhere.

People I met – Chris (England); Mariana & her family; Isabel & George (Colorado); friends on the trip to the Galapagos; group from Poland; French guys who had driving their van the entire Pan Am Highway; girls from Austria & New Zealand; my Jungle Friends; Madre Tierra friends – so many amazing people, I hope to cross paths with again someday.

Some wonderful images I kept in my mind because I didn’t want to invade their privacy by pulling out my camera.

small children in layers of sweaters with rosy cheeks – strapped to mama’s back or standing in fields of sunshine.

Smiling, happy faces on so many women – actually often laughing (or giggling) like school girls giving  an even more beautiful glow to their smooth skinned faces.

neat, clean school uniforms

Indigenous women in beautifully embroidered skirts & blouses wearing their hats on a daily basis

Men & women walking up hills and mountains, backs loaded with goods for sale, firewood, or supplies

The beautiful old woman in the fruit market selling her homemade bread. Her pastel clothing, handmade baskets of bread and soft smile are so intriguing. If I had more Spanish I’d keep visiting and getting to know her. Maybe I could make some beautiful portraits for her to share with her family in exchange for the privilege of photographing her.

How I would have loved to sit and chat with them, to hear their stories, and capture images of their everyday lives. Maybe when I return I’ll have more chances to spend time talking with them – I’ve got to keep practicing my Spanish!

In some ways my time in Ecuador already seems a distant memory as I try to absorb all that happened during my wonderful 41 days I spent in this magical country. First of all, it went by way to quickly. I could have spent so much more time there, and look forward to returning again next year. It was my first adventure traveling on my own, and it was amazing. I feel I have only just begun on this wonderful chapter in my life. I have grown, I’ve seen more of my true self, I am more content, relaxed and happy than I have been in years. Travel changed me more than I could have imagined.

I made so many new friends along the way, but just two days before leaving Ecuador I met someone (from Michigan) who has become very special to me. We spent a lot of time together the past few weeks (that’s where Florida & Jamaica come into the story) and discovered we not only love traveling together, but so much more. Our first date lasted 33 days and we’re currently working to beat that record on our second date. So…my future posts will not be about solo female travel, but traveling with an awesome companion. Next up for May & June – Yoga & hiking in Switzerland followed by a road trip through Ireland. More posts coming soon!

metanoia (meh-tah-NOY-ah) – the journey of changing one’s mind, heart, self, or way of life