Like this:

VID00008

►

It was a wonderful weekend here in Olon, Ecuador for my family and me.  Beside it being Valentine’s Day, followed quickly by my birthday (thank you to all the Happy B-day wishers!) it is also “Carnival” time here. Our comparable  holiday in the U.S. would probably be 4th of July.  Although it has no national historical significance like the birth of our independance day does, it signals the beginning of a 40 day run-up to Easter.

It’s the kick-off to summer, too, as people from Guayaquil (the largest and closest big city ) flee the concrete jungle and make a bee-line for the beach.  Now instead of 40 people per square mile of sand, there’s 500.  Still pretty easy numbers to deal with when compared to the French Riviera, Cabo in Winter or Tahoe in July.

Montanita, nearby is a different matter.  Montanita is to Olon what South Lake Tahoe is to North Lake Tahoe.   Wall-to-wall people partying non-stop for 4 days.  Sitting in one of the open air restaurants watching the passers-by, you feel a little like you’re might be in an Indiana Jones movie crowd scene.  Quite a mixed crew of characters.  It’s a show in itself.  Plus the food is generally pretty good and the prices are very reasonable.

Still, we prefer the peace and quiet of Olon.  Pronounced like O – Lone, the name really fits.  Most of the time, that’s why people come here- to relax and get away.  It also adds to the charm and hospitality that we feel here.  Incline Village is much like that, too.  People come there to escape the traffic and stress of the Bay area.  They’re there to relax and have a good time -  and my job, with that funny shaped piece of wood I often carry around, just try to assist them with that.

Ok, back to Olon.  In our little 3 house compound, we had . . . let’s see . . . .21 people this weekend.  That’s in 6 bedrooms total.  So even in our quiet little fishing village, it was a bit “festive” into the early hours of the the following day(s).  It was a wonderful famiily time with our new neighbors and friends.  After we enjoyed our amigo, Raul’s wonderful sushi feast, I played a bit of American music for our guests.  As always, my guitar has served as a vehicle to bring people together and form new relationships.  Every week has brought us new visitors and new friends who share their experiences and wisdom with us. 

We’re learning so much just by accident that there has been little need to study (although Bailey is diligently pecking away at her computer and Sawyer will start next week).  Several folks back home conceded that the best education we can give our children is to travel with them.  So far, I would have to agree . . . . 

Happy Valentines Day!

Advertisement