Well my last days in Ecuador were from mid June to mid July of 2021, after a 3 1/2 yr visit in Ecuador mostly living in a small American town called Vilcabamba, (pronounced Beelcabamba). I had some signals that it was time to leave Ecuador, firstly starting in February when I had an inflamed Siatic nerve which was very painful from the centre lower back going down both legs to the feet, secondly after I decided to go back home to Canada, my Apple MacBookPro was stolen from the bed while I went to use the bathroom downstairs and was only gone for about three minutes. This was also a sign to leave Vilcabamba and Ecuador, as the kids and grandchildren all wanted me to come back for a visit and heal myself in Canada. So before I head back home, I wanted to visit a few of the beaches on the coast, I picked Puerto Lopez to start at and work my way to the airport, then to Ayampe, Olon and Montanita then to Guayaquil /airport.

Dog on Beach at Puerto Lopez

Aperture: 10
Camera: Canon EOS 6D
Iso: 100
Orientation: 1

« ‹ of 770 › »

During my stay I visited Cotacachi, Otavalo, Quito, Tena, Banos, Cuenca, Loja, Malacatos, Vilcabamba, Yangana, Salinas and now for the last days of Ecuador they were spent on the coast visiting, Puerto Lopez, Ayampe, Olon and Montanita, unfortunately for me the coast or these beaches were all overcast as this time of the year is winter or wet season.

Puerto Lopezto start with the visit’s, I found a place a few blocks away from the beach as I rented a private room for $12. per night, which was too much as it was very noisy. The reason it was so noisy because the neighbours were celebrating Father’s Day for the entire weekend with loud music playing 24 hrs for a good two or 3 days, it seems many people love their father’s very much.

Along the beach side there were many, many restaurants to choose from, many souvenirs shops, and on the other side of the street, being on the beach itself were bamboo cabanas for your drinking establishments, and there were many all lined up in a row. At night it was very colourful with these cabanas as they were lit up with lighting, liken to Christmas lights.

This strip was well lighted at night and the street itself was not usually busy with cars, it was a very clean strip. I ate at a few restaurants, the menus had a wide variety of foods, and always a pizza restaurant, and the prices were reasonable for a tourist town, certainly much cheaper than Vilcabamba where one could pay $20. for a pizza, and $8. for a Ceasar salad, $8. for a vegetarian Sushi roll. Me being a so called Canadian I’m exchanging these numbers into Canadian dollars, $27., and $10.5, for me is expensive, I need to travel cheap, and I find these prices for Ecuador which has a reputation for being a cheap country to travel to and live, but I am finding with the US dollar that it is expensive in most situations of food prices, eating out, some hostels. I do believe Ecuador will become a first world country soon. The waves about .7-1 metre high (2-3ft), but again it was very overcast everyday so not so much beach activity, for my week stay.

Ayampe was the next stop for me, I stayed a week also which was long enough as it was the opposite of Puerto Lopez, as this was not really a tourist stop in my opinion. It had no paved roads, dirt or gravel, no big shops or stores, it was like going back in time 40 yrs ago. Very laid back, quiet and peaceful, freedom I suppose. There was a pizza restaurant, and a vegan eatery establishment, which I ate at a few times as the foods were so filling, delicious and healthy meals. I rented a private room for $8. a night, no hot water showers.

Olon was the next stop where I met a facebook friend who had a room for me to stay for $10. a night for the week. Though, I did not have hot water for showering, there was a nice kitchen with a kitchen table. Olon was the best place for me out of the 4 places I wanted to visit on the coast. the beach had many people out boarding the waves, which were close to a meter high (3ft). The first day of arriving here in Olon the sun was shining and I had a wonderful time in the beach water having being knocked over by a wave, I remember it put a smile and laughter on this face as it felt so good.

I photographed and video’d many of these boarders riding the waves.  Many cabanas cooking up meals to eat right on the sandy beach beside the sidewalk, on the other side are many restaurants and hotels/hostles. There is a South Indian restaurant that I ate at a few times, located right beside the Pink Flamingo Hostel/restaurant where I stayed. 

Montanitais the last beach stop for me before I head to Guayaquil to fly out to Vancouver, Canada. This beach tourist attraction is about a 5 minute bus ride from Olon. So, it was not necessary to find a place to stay. Olon and Montanita are as close as neihbours living side by side. So a few bus trips back and forth was no big deal.

Now Montanita is totally different from the past three beaches as here it was more like a big drinking establishment, bars, restaurants, hostels everywhere and all side by side, with rows one way and the other way. Think of a small-town with all the roads going south to north and west to east with houses on these streets criss crossing, but here in Montanita, its bars, restaurants, and hostels, many of them up and down the streets. This place attracts a younger generation that wants to party here. Where as in Ayampe…no. Perhaps in Puerto Lopez also attracts a so called younger generation to party, as well.

As I was with my FB friend ‘Pinky’ from the Pink Flamingo in Olon, she had driven me to many different spots to view. We ended up at Montanita’s beach one night for the purpose of capturing the sunset. Pinky was a great hostess/tour guide. One day we travelled from Olon to the other side of Salinas, right to the very tip or point were waters surround three sides of where we were standing.

Vilcabamba is the most interesting and funniest place I have lived for a long period of time while travelling from country to country, as I stayed here for a 3 1/2 year period, from December 2017 through July of 2021.

This very small American town/village sits in a valley surrounded by mountains full of hiking trails everywhere, (about 65 trails mapped and GPS) and influenced by the American culture and dollar, no need to learn the Spanish language with so many English speaking settlers.

Thus easily one can come by some interesting American characters, one comes to mind that I was led to believe to be a trustworthy individual and a friend and with these so called social butterflies, many people like them as friends because they are not quiet and keeping to themselves, were as with people who do not know anything about individuals that are not social butterflies keeping to themselves and being quiet for the most part, people tend to make their own opinion of such an individual based upon no evidence at all, usually a negative opinion as compared to a so called social butterfly, to me the social butterfly can get away with more things than an individual minding his own business. I am led to believe this is so because the social butterfly individual is usually well known, well liked, trusted and having many friends, thus people will not believe that this type of individual is capable of harming another, stealing from another and so on. Whereas with the individual that is quiet, keeping to himself, minding his own business and people no very little of such an individual, is sometimes unfairly and unjustly blamed for such things just because people do not know of the individual.

It appears from what I have observed and believe to know of what I think happened, is this American girl named Laura Markwardt a so called social butterfly and I thought she was a friend to me, walked by the bedroom I was using, noticed I was not in the room as the bedroom door was opened having full view of the Apple MacBook Pro laptop just sitting on the bed, and therefore I believe she thought it was a perfect opportunity for her to quickly grab this laptop while I was in the bathroom for a very short 3 minute period. As I came out of the bathroom I saw Laura leaving out the front door of the house, I went upstairs and right away noticed the computer gone, went back downstairs and out the door only to find Laura was gone immediately and thought to myself she stoled my computer as she was the only one upstairs walking the hallway.

Of course she denies stealing the computer but I do believe it was her based upon the preponderance of evidence before me, again she was the only one walking the upstairs hallway and I had only left the computer alone for about 3 minutes only, and Laura knew I was in the bathroom and I heard her go upstairs walk down the hallway and back again as she made her way out of the house with the computer to quickly disappear from the front street.

Now why would she do such a thing, well I do believe firstly she has that social butterfly thing working for her as when I was in town talking about having the computer stolen, people already telling me: “No it cannot be her.” Secondly, she believes she paid her rent for one month twice, therefore, I am guessing this was the opportunity to get even, get revenged for the over paying of rent she believed she paid, thus now getting even. Thirdly, she did/does have this type of revengeful attitude I believe as she paid for another month’s rent without staying or living there in the room, in fact the last 2 or 3 weeks all of her stuff was moved out, the room was empty, cleaned out to be ready for new guests to occupy. Laura had no reason to come back, in fact she could have said I am moved out and living elsewhere, here are the keys, feel free to rent the room out as many other guests say & do when they make new plans, but no not with Laura, her attitude was she paid a full month’s rent and therefore even though the room was empty, cleaned and ready for new guests to occupy she was not allowing it, until the end of the rent date was up. The day the computer was stolen Laura just came by to check to make sure the room was empty and not occupied, as another guest in the house wanted to change rooms and she asked Laura if she can move into her empty room, Laura said no I have this room for a few more days still, so Laura was only in the house for about 5 minutes total, the computer again, I had left alone only for 3 minutes while I quickly went to the bathroom and Laura was the only one left alone upstairs to take it, thus getting back revenge or her attitude shows she was the type to do this.

With most travellers when they no there is no refunds and they make other plans, they just give the keys and allow the room to be rented again, there are some though, feel like the caretaker/owner is going to make a profit and therefore don’t want that to happen, which I do not understand, if you have an opportunity to help another out why not, but some do not want to help others out at all or have another benefit from them, so it goes to show Laura had that attitude of not wanting to help out another individual in this matter/case at all.

More on her attitude, she believed I was accusing her of theft of the computer, yet not denying or asking what evidence I had of such, she decided to discredit me, slander me publicly and personally, by attacking my so called character, make me out to be some individual of mental disorder in need of mental help, as she stated publicly that I am an individual that is harmful to society. In fact let’s quote her postings from Facebook.

“It is clear to me (Laura Markwardt) that there need to be protections taken to protect the public and that you should be in a care facility.”

“Perhaps it is time that the community reached out to the Canadian Embassy and authorities so that they step in and help you be placed in a appropriate care facility in Canada.”

“The current clear and present danger to the community, your current ravings, your lunatic behaviour, all of this is why something thoughtful needs to be done.”

“Personally I am led to believe the only one that needs any mental help is Laura Markwardt for making these unfounded claims without any evidence to support her rantings or evidence of whatsoever.”

This woman I believe cannot be trusted at all, will not go out of her way to help out another so he or she can benefit from her and lastly if she stole once she will steal again if the opportunity arises. Therefore the community of Vilcabamba should be aware and conscious of this young woman named Laura Markwardt.

As I was surprised by this information that she posted on Facebook and thinking to myself BUSTED!, as this is information that she could have only gotten from the computer and she posted links on facebook to discredit, slander me and attack the character. So why discredit me? Why make me out to be some mentally disturbed individual that is harmful to society instead of simply, I know nothing about your computer being stolen. To me, as I am led to believe these are actions of someone doing such by stealing another computer, I believe she stole the computer and therefore she believed she had to discredit me so that no one would believe me and therefore being the social butterfly everyone would believe her that I have a mental disorder and is harmful to society. Great plan, but I do think it backfired upon her big time, because what I went through over 10 years ago with the courts was simply me staying in truth and honour by not claiming ownership to something that I could not prove that I own, and that was simply claiming ownership to a legal name that I believed belonged to the state/crown already, so why would I put a claim of ownership to such, thus creating a controversy? Thus the judge playing the game and/or punishing me by sending me for a psyche evaluation, its just a game with them, because if you ask the judge what’s his name he will not answer either, so why does the judge not join me with the psyche evaluation also?

Also reading the articles that Laura posted to discredit me, I have done nothing wrong but stand up and defend myself and so called rights, if there is such a thing, many look at this as someone doing good not bad, so Laura read the articles and understood them as something negative and if you think I am in need of mental care, are you practicing medicine without a license Laura?

Once again, this woman I believe cannot be trusted at all, will not go out of her way to help out another so he or she can benefit from her if such a thing is possible, and lastly if she stole once she will steal again if the opportunity arises. Therefore the community of Vilcabamba should be aware and conscious of this young woman named Laura Markwardt and not befriend her at all, just my personal opinion whatever it is worth and again based upon the preponderance of evidence before me.

Three years here in Vilcabamba (pronounced: Beelcabamba) Ecuador. What I have personally learned and observed being firsthand testimony from the perspective of observation, thus this is what I know of Vilcabamba and Ecuador in general. This is a so called report or an account of personal observations. Obviously some may agree and disagree with these writings which of course is normal as everyone has their own opinions, perspective’s  and personal observations, and ideas of Vilcabamba and Ecuador. Which doesn’t mean I am right, just means I am describing what I have witnessed personally, so it is the truth for me to express to the readers.

This small town or village according to ‘International Living’ has about 4000 inhabitants within the village, with many American ex-pats making this home along with many others being British settlers, as well as French, Germans, Canadians, Russians and Australians. I find the majority being being Americans by far, also known as to the local people being called ‘gringos’. With so many Americans living here, one does not need to learn the local language of Spanish, because enough people here speak English, which is a shame since we are living in a Spanish speaking country, I feel we should learn the native language, but this small village or town is liken to an American town, not like a authentic Spanish speaking community, again such a shame in my opinion.

This is the first place and time for me that I have lived amongst so many Americans in this life, and it has certainly opened my eyes to a very different culture and attitude exposing me to some crazy ass American characters and others, being so called ‘foreigners’, in this American-style village. 

During the time I have stayed in Vilcabamba, there was a young Irishman that was known to harm a young woman with cuts on her arm from a knife he used. Some would consider him to be a dangerous man and/or violent individual, but the ex-pat community ignored his actions for the most part and tolerated and/or accepted him, until one day he ended up murdering a young Argentina man I believe. At this point he was removed from the community and jailed. But it appears there are other characters in the community that seems to be tolerated and accepted although not having a very good reputation or being of a bad character.

For instance a New Zealand man that I call ‘Andre the rat’, as he rats out on people for not having a valid visa and not having a valid business license for the business he or she is operating, he talks to people like a social butterfly extracting information given to him and then using it against them to inform the police of wrong doings he or she is supposedly engaging in. He is a police informant and a no good rat, by not minding his own business which is a fault and simply harming people in this community from 5 years of age to 85. The community again ignores such a rat and accepts and tolerates his disgraceful actions, instead of having him move to a different community.

Just as with a Italian pizza maker that I have had face to face conversation with about the subject of pedophilia, we did not see eye-to-eye on the subject, it appears he did not agree with me about me condemning the practice and/or actions of such men having sexual interactions with children, from the face to face conversation with him I was led to believe he supported such and I was against it. I called Poalo a pedophile and walked away, based upon the preponderance of evidence in front of me, to not speak with him again and to ignore him if I saw him on the streets, but he seems to be liked, tolerated and accepted in the community as such, so who am I to judge one, if a pedophile is accepted in this community so be it.

As far as Americans go, I was being taught by an American Spanish teacher and she and another student both insisted that when one makes a claim/statement that the onus is not upon the defendant to prove such a claim being made, but the onus is upon the one making the claim to prove such, always has been. I know this is totally backwards all over the world, but these two women insisted so. Therefore, if I were to say to these two American women that think such, that I feel that they are both crazy dumb ass Americans, that I would not have to prove this statement at all, in fact it would be both of them having to prove that they are not crazy dumb ass Americans and good luck with that, meaning the statement I made is true and stands true according to their believes. Many would think they are idiots. Yes there are characters in this village that I just shake the head and roll the eyes in discontent and with much surprise, who am I to argue with what they think or other people’s beliefs, the bottom line is what these dumb ass Americans can prove. 

One other fellow in town has a restaurant in which it appears he has his group of loyal customers that hang out there, but it appears to me more like a mob that threatens to harm others that do not believe what Charlie believes in, or others in the group believe, in other words if someone outside this restaurant group has a different opinion, people of this restaurant group will make threatening remarks to break bones or beat one up, which to me I understand somewhat as Americans appear to like war, and it appears they like to think they are number one throughout the world, so to me it appears Americans are usually somewhat violent-type of people, along with being self-centred, egotistic, and selfish, not all, but many of the Americans from personal observations I have noticed are liken to this stereotype. 

Now the local people being the Spanish speaking inhabitants living here all of their lives, they too have some bad characters amongst them. Mostly the business owners as some like to take advantage of the so called gringo’s or so called foreigners, by over-charging, one fellow that sells steel and has a welding shop, charges up to six times more for steel than what one can buy in Loja, six times more for cost of steel compared to a short trip to Loja, unbelievable. I had a taxi driver drop off guests and their luggage to this house and amongst the brief chaos of introductions, paying the driver and having all of the luggage unloaded, the taxi driver unloaded two small bags of his own household garbage, what an unscrupulous driver. Best that I see it ends up in a garbage truck instead of thrown into the river, many South Americans like to throw bags of garbage into the river, I just don’t understand why pollute a fresh water drinking system, to the point of being undrinkable, again I just don’t understand why it is done so much in South America, Peru was really bad for this, polluting rivers and oceans.

Both with the gringos and local Spanish people that have dogs, all or mostly all leave the shit on the streets or sidewalks that their dogs excrement, no one seems to want to clean it up, ergo leaving dog shit all over the village streets and sidewalks, where people are walking sometimes in bare feet. Many dogs walk around freely without an owner nearby. This is not a good thing being not responsible responsible for ones own dog, especially when people have to always watch out for stepping in dog shit all over town. If its not dog shit then its horse shit or donkey shit, so much shit on the streets and sidewalks of this small American town.

Vilcabamba is an expensive village for me and for many backpackers that I chat with. Here there are many pizza shops, selling pizza’s as much as $20., to me that equals about $27.00 CAD for a pizza in Ecuador and I find that very expensive. As in Canada I think it would be hard to find a pizza selling for that much, as I find many things much cheaper in Canada than here in Ecuador and/or Vilcabamba. Shiitake mushrooms sell for $13.lb/$17. CAD. Coconut oil I do not understand, as coconuts are grown here, yet I can buy coconut oil cheaper in Canada getting it shipped from the US, than I can buy here, again where the coconuts are grown. Blueberries sell for $5.lb/$6.50 CAD, in Canada I think they sell for $2.00 lb or less. Pies sell here for up to $80.CAD., in Canada probably buy a whole pie for $20. I have a list of foods that are much higher in price than in Canada. Cell phones, computers, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, weights, and more, all more expensive here than in Canada. For Canadians living here they already have to pay 30% more on top of the already high prices, so again Canadians are paying a premium price to live here, no wonder many things in Canada are much cheaper than here in Vilcabamba and/or Ecuador.

I have posted how expensive Vilcabamba is on Facebook community pages, only to get defensive responses that other places in Ecuador are much higher than Vilcabamba, which to me means Ecuador is an expensive country, compared to what many people are being led to believe as to thinking it is a cheap country to live in.

Also on these community pages via Facebook, new ex-pats posted they are coming to Ecuador to live from the USA, and were wanting to know what to bring as far as food items that are not available to purchase in Ecuador, boy the list was extremely long, everything from A-Z to bring, as Ecuador does not have the right item or hard to find items. It was as if nothing was available here and to bring your favourite, mustard, jam, peanut butter, coffee, teas, toothpaste, medications, vitamins/supplements, oils, frypans, sheets, towels, clothing, shoes, boots, dog food, the list just went on and on. One needs to ask, why would one want to re-locate here if so many items are not available that the Americans are missing out on and how expensive the food items and other things cost.

Recently, (July of 2020) the government closed all of its post offices which means no more mail to send out or receive, to me its like the country just went back fifty years in time, (Ecuador rating for ease of business 133/190) but then again getting something delivered here was just about impossible as I attempted to have a few things sent here to me, only to be sent back or possible kept by customs for the employees benefit. So many complaints that I have heard with not receiving mail or packages that it is just about impossible to receive a delivery, too many rules, regulations, policies and red tape to do, to get a package received in one’s hands. Now the only way to send or receive something, is to pay the expensive shipping couriers, such as DHL (which I do not trust as they took the shipping payment from me and did not ship the package and never returned the money to me, thus I see them as a rip off fraudulent business), or FedEx and so on. To get a package delivered here to Vilcabamba there are private companies charging from $6.50 lb + to deliver your packages, which can add up and be very expensive if the package is heavy. Again, the word expensive keeps popping up in this writing.

Let’s wrap up this writing with some good things about this small community. This is a place that is at about 1500m or 5000ft altitude which means it has the perfect climate that most people like where it is not too hot and not too cold, a consistent temperature where most enjoy and there is no need for air conditioning or central heating. This also means that one can grow food all year long. Also the reason why so many ‘foreigners’ call or make Vilcabamba home.

The drinking water is known to be fresh and healthy having gold and silver ions in the bottled drinking water. The air for the most part is clean and fresh, a few years ago it has been reported that the skies above are chemtrail free, but there have been some sightings of chemtrail spraying up above unfortunately.

The local people appear to be happy for the most part, as I believe its due to the access to more money with the gringos living here paying much more for everything than what the locals pay, thus helping out the business owners greatly with making a higher income for them. The local Spanish business owners are always friendly and helpful with smiles and greetings. Just know that the prices here are going to be much more expensive whether they are taking advantage of you or not.

There are many good workers to help with house cleaning, garden work painting, plumbing and other trades that one needs help with at very reasonable prices compared to North America, as they work for a fraction being from $20.- $30 a day. But as far as showing up, or on time, do not expect such, many do not show up when scheduled, some may never show up at all, one is lucky if help shows up two hours late. People just say, they are on Ecuadorian time. I have ordered coconut oil to be delivered to the address I use, with the supplier stating it will arrive Monday morning, then I send an email wondering where it is, then the reply is it will arrive Tuesday morning, then again and again until it arrives Thursday or Friday morning, or next Monday again, it is what is, no guarantees on their word for deliveries or for commencement of work.

I have offered local Spanish speaking people to learn English for free or for a very low price, lots and lots of interest, but no one shows to learn, it appears they want to learn, but again lacking much initiative, or self-motivation to attend classes. If someone offered me free Spanish lessons I would take them up on the offer, as I’d be all over it like hair on a bar of soap, a dog chasing a cat or a kid in an ice cream shop.

Be careful of some of the women, if they find a nice man, they will ask to borrow money with promising to pay back,they have many reasons for needing the money, taking advantage of ones caring and generosity, but the women will never pay back the money and always keep asking for more. I have met too many women like this, they are a dime a dozen, an endless supply of women asking to borrow money and never intending to pay back, so be aware and call it a gift or a donation, as you will not see the money paid back, also communicating with these women by text, as in FB messenger they write so kindly, but once you stop sending money to help them out, the text communication stops also.

Here in the valley, many, many hiking trails all mapped out, not only for avid hikers but for the cyclists that enjoy biking the trails.

From what I have heard from the tourists visiting Vilcabamba and getting stuck here during the COVID/pandemic lockdown, many were quite happy and content being here, saying if it had to happen this seems like the perfect place to be confined or stuck. As it is/was a quite place without hassle as to wearing a mask or not, half the people wore a mask and the other half didn’t. People went about their business, after the initial 3 months of having closures of businesses and restaurants, the ones that never re-opened, new businesses moved in and opened up, which seems to be normal in this village, businesses are always opening, closing and re-locating to a better cheaper spot. 

Lastly, I have travelled to other parts of Ecuador like Tena, Pano Napo, Baños, Quito, Cuenca, Otavalo, Cotacachi, Loja, Salinas, Santa Elena, La Liberated and Yangana. The experience for me at all of these places has been wonderful and I enjoyed the visits, but what is so much different from all of these places compared to Vilca, is that these places were not so inundated with Americans, which means the prices were cheaper and with me living in Vilca being surrounded with so many Americans it is quite different, not only with cheaper prices but you need to know the Spanish language indeed to communicate.

I watched a YouTube video with Andy the Hobo traveller that visited Vilca and described Vilcabamba and the Americans as … “Vilcabamba is full of Americans … consider it a bunch of very, very angry at the United States Americans, and they’re all congregating together, they’re definitely what I would call 1960’s hippies that basically never grew up … it’s a place for anybody in the 1960’s still wants to be an activist never growing up, still wearing a ponytail and hates the United States … full of lost souls … too populated with foreigners. Ecuador is 30 – 40% higher than Peru. Ecuador is overpriced and one of the worst places on the planet.”

I would have travelled to more areas but the lockdown has put a damper on travelling for me, but it has been easing up over the past few months and now that the new year is arriving (2021) perhaps its a good time for me to explore more beaches here in Ecuador such as … Montanita, Olón, Ayampe, and Puerto Lopez.

Ciao por ahora mi amigos

Today is Monday March 23rd 2020 and I find it necessary to report some news as to what is happening here in Vilcabamba, Ecuador during this time of the so called pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease called Coronavirus. We have been lockdown (martial law) for one week now, started March 17th and under a stupid useless night time curfew, which serves no purpose at all. It appears after just one week tension is escalating, people are now getting stressed. From what I am observing and hearing all of this is to keep the public living under stress and fear, and it seems to be working. Again from what I have observed and heard it appears this so called epidemic has shown the stupidity of people, yes I am aware of how stupid people are, but this situation that is occurring is bringing out more stupidity of people and bringing out the stupid people that were hiding in the closets. 

What I am witnessing by way of reading peoples comments on Facebook or listening to people talk, it is incredibly stupid, surprisingly and amazing that these people can even think for themselves as many want to bring harm and death to another, but not to themselves of course only to others, not knowing what happens to others will happen to themselves or they want to protect themselves but not others, or it is only their own logic and opinions that count and no one else’s logic and opinions matter. Reminds me of 5000 gods or so that people believe in and worship, but my God is the only true God. How ignorant and arrogant can people be, but stupidity is all around us boys and girls.

Let’s start with this nighttime curfew that we have here in Vilcabamaba with a population of 4000 inhabitants and about 1/2 being gringos (Americans), now the curfew is in effect from 7pm-5am. I have posted the question “What is the purpose of this curfew?” of course expecting intelligent sensible responses. Unfortunately no, people have simply been answering the curfew is for the virus, so that it does not spread. Ok so here at night with 5 people roaming the streets at midnight that are supposedly doubling the virus if they had it every 24 hrs, so at the end of the week, these 5 people would have infected 320 other people, again if they had the virus. Now at noon when there is no curfew and you have 200 people walking around, again if they had the virus and spreading it and every 24hrs it doubles, so at the end of the week, 12,800 now potentially infected. Again, what is the purpose of this nighttime curfew when most of the people are at home already and in their beds sleeping, compared to no daytime curfew when most people are awake out and about to get food, water, medications and so on, to potentially infecting all of the inhabitants and more here in Vilcabamba instead of only a small portion having the curfew at night, does not make sense to me, but the nighttime curfew is one that the people foolishly accept here without questioning it, yes stupidity. People just do not understand, even when I explain the math, for some reason people think this nighttime curfew still makes sense and thus no need switching from a night curfew to a daytime curfew, I’m serious, how idiotic, I do believe in the saying I have heard, ….”You can’t fix stupid”. I cannot convince people that the night time curfew makes no sense at all, but we have a night time curfew here to make sure everyone is at home sleeping, during the day time no curfews people are allowed to go out and mingle making sure to spread the virus and/or disease.

Now again what I am observing especially on Facebook the so many statements that people are making which are lies, misinformation and disinformation, because I simply asked again “What evidence do you have of such?” and this is where it all fails, not one individually can back up their statement that they have posted thus no more than lies that they are posting, why all of these lies, misinformation and disinformation that people are posting deliberately and/or out of stupidity I suppose, I cannot answer that, but I am led to believe with the preponderance of evidence before me it is done out of fear, ignorance & arrogance (stupidity). Many people believe in finding a vaccine to cure people and end this epidemic/pandemic and suggesting over the social media to take, if or when it comes available, not knowing it takes about 2 yrs after testing and getting a new vaccine to market to treat this SARS CoV-2, which will be long over with before a vaccine comes to eliminate this disease called Coronavirus. If they do come up with a vaccine right away it will lead me to believe this manmade virus already had its vaccine to take care of this epidemic that is happening, again we are being manipulated in this game that is being played, but that’s another story.  Now do these same people know of the supposedly  harmful  and poisonous ingredients that are suppose to be in vaccines and know of the dangers of taking vaccines as in death, or long term disability injures as a result of vaccine injections, probably not, that is why so many ignorant & arrogant (stupid) people post shit like this, again it is only their own personal believe and/or opinion that counts as a result of the programming and conditioning that each has received during society indoctrination, only my opinion counts, no one else’s believe or opinion counts, more stupidity.

The information that is going around in this very small town via the social media such as Facebook, VilcaList (a paid subscription local news feed) or just the daily gossip from people on the streets. The inhabitants here seem to be in favour of martial law and curfew, the people here are acting and behaving like very good obedient, compliant slaves, and are against those that are not being obedient and compliant slaves, and therefore believe that those that are not following such rules should be heavily fined like $5000. and /or spend 6 months in jail, for simply not wearing a mask, a mask that many believe will not protect one at all from the virus thus no benefit at all, how stupid is this. Yes people support this shit, it is unbelievably true. In Canada if one wears a mask, police will arrest one for concealing one’s identity, especially if one enters a bank with a mask on, probably be shot dead before one is arrested for concealing one’s identity. Now here its the opposite if one is not wearing a mask 6 months in jail, it is unbelievable. People have no love and compassion in their hearts and are not willing to help out a brother or a sister but instead have them suffer, have them die, I ask why the hatred in so many people at a time like this when we all are in the same boat and should all be united instead of supporting separation, only to look out for oneself and screw everyone else, I just don’t get it. I have posted on Facebook with people acting as good obedient, compliant slaves to this curfew and whatever other BS rule the authorities want to impose, with a comment replied back such as…”don’t be a horses ass! We are really all wanting to get through this alive & unscathed. If the cops don’t grab your ass & quarantine you in some horrid place, the locals may decide to beat you half to death. So just shut & go go meditate for God’s sake! This is not the first time I have received a response from the community members wanting to beat me to death, or break my bones, because of what I posted. I think I understand, firstly what I write offends people, it is something that has truth to it and people just don’t want to face that truth so being offended and having it bother them, people lash out in anger, strong protest or in defence. It appears being offended by what others say or write is a commenting nowadays, instead of simply ignoring and allowing one to express his or her personal opinions, views and personal perspectives, this is the way I do it, in fact I tell people, “Go ahead and offend me”, why would I get upset, I don’t give a shit what others think of me or tell me its simply none of my business. I have been told I speak from the heart and I think what this means is that I speak and/or tell the truth, even if it is only the truth to me, but from what I have learned over the years people are not prepared and ready for the so called truth, it is the lies that they want to be continued to be supported because if the lies are not supported, then people must change their perceived programming and conditioning thoughts and ideas, this becomes a conflict in the mind which has been labelled as cognitive dissonance, and therefore continue believing lies before accepting the truth is the only way to go for most. I have been told I am a man way ahead of these times and I think outside the box opening the mind to allow new and different information to be accepted. So of course people want to label me and threaten me, but I do not allow it to bother me, again I see more of the truth, more people acting and behaving ignorant and arrogant (stupid).

Lets get back on point here, todays local gossip is that because there are so many American ex-pats living here here, it appears many are going outside to do shopping or whatever, but not obeying the so called rules of wearing a mask and gloves, so the local people being the Spanish speaking Ecuadorians object to this and feel the so called ‘foreigners’ (American ex-pats) (again more separation instead of being united, all together as one in the same boat,) feel that the foreigners should be wearing gloves and masks outside even though there is no reason and/or benefit in doing so, but some of the ex-pats are posting that they should start as not to upset the local people and cause a civil war between the local and gringo’s, (again more fear being injected into the community, more hatred, instead of love and compassion, fear instead of love and compassion, people are falling for this fear, hatred, separation, harming others, why, why why.) Why not simply unite as one, stand strong together with love and compassion helping each other out, but no let’s separate and look out for ourselves only, screw everyone else, have others get stupid unnecessary fines and jail time for not wearing a useless, non beneficial mask, as it is their problem, not mine. And that kind of thinking is what is wrong in this community. But because of stupidity people do not realise that what happens to others will happen to them. So above, so below, as within, so without.  This is about interconnection, unity as one, there is no separation, why are people believing in separation, fear and wanting to see harm to others, because if this is what  the people of Vilcabamba truly want and believe, then it will happen to them also, they too will be heavily fined and/or jailed for smoking outside in the public, or mother and daughter playing together in the park minding their own business fined and jailed, people walking their dogs in the streets and not cleaning up after the dog shits, again fined and jailed, you tell people this they say it won’t happen here, even though it is happening right now before their blind eyes, people think only others can suffer, not me, other people deserve to be punished for not committing a crime or not hurting another, but not me, its always I am above the law attitude, everyone else is bad, not me I’m good, how ignorant and again how foolish because we are all in the same boat together and if people think its ok for a brother to be jailed for not harming another I guarantee they to will also be fined and jailed for not harming anyone, because if it is happening now it will surely happen to those that think they are immune to all of this, no one is immune, we are all one in the same boat, we all have only one home.

I am going to wrap this up, but the point here is that I wanted to get across is that I am very surprised by such a small community to be so ignorant and arrogant and show their stupidity by obeying and complying like good slaves by allowing and accepting curfews, martial law, and separating themselves from each other out of fear, and hatred towards another and wanting harm to come to others, showing their stupidity among so many and not having any love or compassion for one another in their hearts, this so called epidemic/pandemic has shown me so much negativity in a community which I thought was much smarter, understanding and with much more love and compassion in their hearts, but I have been fooled and proven wrong which has surprised me to a great degree, I don’t know why anyone would want to live here, let alone visit this place, because from what I am hearing and observing being firsthand evidence, this is a shameful and disgusting place to live, too much stupidity and unnecessary fear here, leading to the community to separate and wanting such harm to come to others. On this subject of harm, we have a New Zealand individual who believes in being a good citizen, it is his duty to rat out on people who do not have a business licence to operate a business, and to rat out on those that do not have a proper legal up to date Visa’s for staying/living here, and who knows what else he objects too, but I am led to believe not only is he a no good rat, for not minding his own business, as under the so called ‘law’ meddling is a fault, but it is funny how the people in this community accept this and allow this harmful BS from this no good rat to be tolerated, I don’t understand why this community would accept and tolerate a no good rat, but it appears from a notice sent out via VilcaList that the locals are ratting out on the foreigners that are not complying with the self quarantine, not wearing masks, and taking photos of these individuals to send to authorities to have them fined or arrested, so in this community, lacks much love, compassion and honour, this community is not a respected and honourable community at all, wanting to see harm done to so many. Just as with this community having a ‘Catholic House of Pedophiles’ which is very well supported, what I am seeing the harm to others is tolerated and accepted, but being penalised and subjected to harm for not wearing a useless, non beneficial mask, this is a very backwards message here in Vilcabamba being sent out, yes come to Vilcabamba where you are encourage to rat out on people for allegedly doing wrong, we ignore the term ‘meddling is a fault’, we support pedophilia here, by hurting the children also hurting the elderly that have very little money and cannot afford a business licence, yes come to Vilcabamba, where we heavily fine and send people to jail for simply minding their own business and not hurting anyone, Vilcabamba people support these BS backward  ideas, so please come for a visit and stay to observe the insane stupidity here, no where else will you see a man or the community ratting out his brother, or where pedophilia is supported and seeing the elderly suffer, come one come all, hopefully during your visit here, you will have a chance to see an individual jailed for simply doing no harm just minding his own business, seriously, the people here support this insane BS, but remember your visit, is your own risk!   

Summary

The inhabitants of Vilcabamba, Ecuador are very gullible listening to the BS reports and falling for the lies of what is going on here with the SARS-CoV-2 (Virus) and the disease (Coronavirus) that is supposedly spreading. This is causing unnecessary fear and because of this fictional fear, it has brought out the ugly truth in the inhabitants living here. Such as how much hatred is in their hearts to the degree of not wanting to unite and help each other, instead wanting brothers and sisters to be heavily fined and jailed. Not caring if the disease is spreading but helping it to spread if the virus was here and wanting to beat brothers and sisters to near death. Unfortunately this crisis has shown this community lacks love and compassion and instead will rat you out to the so called authorities, for not complying, instead of minding their own business and knowing meddling is a fault, being at fault with this overrides any truth and honour in this small community, shows much shame towards one another and why one would anyone like to come here to live and/or visit Vilcabamba I cannot answer this, as I just found out this ugly truth being exposed to me because of this so called crisis happening now.

I wanted to get away again to explore more of Ecuador. This time after visiting the coast back in May to Salinas beach and areas, I decided to head North pass Quito to Cotacachi and Otavalo. From the time I left Vilcabamba and finally arriving in Cotacachi the entire trip mostly by bus had taken me 16 hrs, the cost was $34.50 with the last portion of the trip from Otavalo to Cotacachi being a $5. taxi fare. It is a long haul overnight especially when I do not sleep well on the overnight buses, so I am very tired. But I am also at a Couchsurfing host place and FB friend.

Day 2 here and I am on my way to Otavalo, which is a $5.00 taxi ride, I’m sure by bus .50 cents. I started off at the Municipal Park with the big white Municipal Building in front of the park.  Much traffic at one intersection being bumper to bumper and many people doing their business or just relaxing on the park benches. Many dogs too running around, the friend I was with decided that we have a drink in a coffee shop and afterwards we walked up and down a few streets where a saw a small infants outfit which I bought for the little grandbaby that is expecting in a few months, I could not resist it was cute and colourful. I walked around the largest outdoor market in all of South America as I am told, it is called ‘Plaza de Ponchos’, also known as the Hundred Year Old Market. It is truly ah artisan’s market selling ponchos, hats, belts, scarves, wood carvings, jewellery, t-shirts you name it, all different styles and colourful design’s. And then we ate a vegetarian burrito at this very comfortable restaurant that had a relaxing cozy atmosphere and decor, called the ‘Deli Restauranti’ which they had many vegetarian meals on the menu, good for them, yes a bit pricy but the decor style and atmosphere goes a long way.

We then went to a nearby waterfall which was a $2. taxi fare from central Otavalo, so very nearby, 2.5km. It was all very picturesque I took many photos. This waterfall is called ’Peguche Waterfalls’, there are two but the second waterfall is not that easy get to. About 5 minutes further but climbing stairs and then bending over and very low through a short narrow dark cave, you’ll feel like Indiana Jones, then sliding into the water walking over slippery rocks around the corner seeing the second waterfall.

Day 3 in Cotacachi and today I went to a hot springs outdoor pool about 1 hour’s drive away to ‘Chachimbiro Hot Springs’ http://www.pro-ecuador.com/chachimbiro.html#sthash.6ehhjU5c.dpbs The hot volcanic mineral water was so relaxing and some very nice views of the mountains and/or valley. I ate a salad there, it was not on the menu had to ask to make me one. On the menu was fried trout with fries, rice and salad for $8.50US, and the portion of salad was like three fork full, but a 1/2 of trout, lots of ties and rice, no wonder the Ecuadorian health is obese and diabetic, talking to a couple of Ecuadorians from Cotacachi, the problem is that they’re diet consists of inexpensive foods and lack of education I believe. As I was told rice, potatoes, corn, chicken, ice-cream and coca cola (Coke) are all inexpensive  and they like sugar, fat and salt, as far as vegetables and fruit too expensive, not part of their diet and to grow such, no time, it is an inconvenience and much easier buying fresh vegetables from the market. So you get young children being fat and of course by the time their adults many are obese, with very serious health problems coming their way. Worldwide it appears diabetes type 2 is becoming an epidemic. One just needs to realise diabetes type 2 is a dietary disease thus can be changed and controlled with diet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyiH2xcebpU

I also participated in a Yoga class with Mindy who has about 45 years of Yoga practice and is a certified Yoga instructor, I enjoyed the stretching very much, she knows what she is doing.

Day 4 in Cotacachi I was taken to some high mountainous ares to get an overview of Cota and at the same time seeing Mount Cotacochi with snow on top looked very nice, I was told in Ecuador there are 87 active volcanoes. After and overview of Cota, I was driven to a beautiful lake with an island and this was called, ‘Cotacachi Cayapas’. 

Then it was to Otavalo for an overall view of that city. Once I got back to Cota I went waking around, many, many shops specialise in leather, selling leather belts, shoes, boots, jackets, purses, hats, wallets and more. Cotacachi is considered the “Leather Capital of Ecuador”. With over 50 separate artisanal leather shops in the city, many of the leather goods sold in other parts of Ecuador are produced in Cotacachi.  Otavalo is considered an artisan city, with all of its textiles and handicrafts, but here too in Cota,  there is lots of traditional indigenous art and clothing to purchase. 

The shoes I am wearing a very difficult to put on, so I got leather boot strap added on to pull over heels. I t was very professional work looking as if Dayton had added the boot straps themselves and it was only a $3.00 charge. I think the leather goods are a very reasonable, I don’t think one can get these leather good prices anywhere else, as I looked at a leather cowboy hat for $17.

Many restaurants line the streets and I had a meal at a Venezuela restaurant and it was a vegan special for $7. a large meal with soup and juice included, I could not finish the meal too much food, thus a very good value I thought and a Vegan meal.

Between Otavalo and Cotacachi many indigenous people walking around in their traditional clothing wear, hats, dresses, layers of clothing big necklaces, beautiful people with the loveliest smiles, and there are some beggars on the streets I saw two very elderly ladies no shoes sitting on the sidewalks and curbs, each of them very small, petite looking as if they were 100 years old, my heart went out to them I gave them pocket change and captured a smile from one of them. 

Day 5 in Quito, it was a two hour bus ride costing $2.80 from Cota to Otavalo and the from Otavalo to Quito. This was another Facebook fried that stayed with me a few months ago as I hosted him as a Couchsurfer, this was great experience using this service as I saved money, met new friends, I was fed, had private rooms, it was just a great enjoyable experience. 

I was picked up at the North Quito Bus Terminal by my friend’s parent which drove me to their house. I was well liked by the entire family.  We started off to a mountain to get a overview looking down at the city. I quickly realised this city is far too big and spread out to get all of the city, even if I had a wide angle lens.This area and/or the tourist lookout point atop which stands a 150 foot (45m) high statue of Mary, the Mother of God, the only one in the world that features the Madonna with angel wings, not to mention a crown of stars.It is called ‘Panecillo Hill’  (Small Piece of Bread) for its round shape, also known as ‘Mirador Viewpoint Panecillo’  Anyways it was the first opportunity to take photos of where this hill marks the division between the Centre area and the South area of the city of Quito. At this viewpoint this large statue called the “Virgin of El Panecillo” which can be seen from many parts of the city down below, even from the historic part of Quito called the ‘San Francisco’ area, where I took photos of a church called “Iglesias y Convento de San Francisco” in front of the Plaza de San Francisco, its a 16th-century complex in Quito, and being a World Heritage Site.

Day 2 in North Quito I went with another FB friend to visit “Ciudad Mitad del Mundo” which means Middle of the World. It highlights the exact location of the Equator. I suggest visiting during the week as the entrance lines will not be as long as they are on the weekends. It is a nice view from the top of the monument, plenty of souvenir shops, and small buildings with history and artifacts. After this we headed to the North Quito outdoor market, this was a large market, selling all the fruits and vegetables one could imagine, many of which I have not tasted.

After this we were on our way to the Teleferico/TeleféricQo Cruz Loma, is a gondola lift, running from the edge of the city centre up the east side of Pichincha Volcano to lookout Cruz Loma. It is one of the highest aerial lifts in the world, rising from 3,117 m to 3,945 m. I think the cost for gondola lift  was $6.50 was worth seeing the views.

Day 3 in Quito, and the last day for me here, as I have a bus ticket for this evening to go back to Vilcabamba for a 12hr bus ride. Well me and my friends family took me to The Basilica del Voto Nacional is a large neo-Gothic building in Ecuador whose construction started in the 18hundreds and was finished late last century. It can be considered as the last of the historical churches in old town Quito. We went to Plaza Grande for a bite to eat, and during this short stay here, I have seen a few plazas, Plaza de la Independencia, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza Santo Domingo, and again Plaza Grande, it was a busy three days in Quito, and last night the family had a party as they do every month to celebrate birthdays, and they got me up dancing that was a good time, seems as if the family is going to miss me.

Well now that I have been here in Vilcabamba Ecuador for 14 months, I decided to take short travels around Ecuador to explore more and write about within this travel blog. I have much more information to pass along to you readers. Starting off with the very recent visit to Cuenca being Ecuador’s third largest city with a population of under 400,000. It was just a 4 day get away for me, but I liked the visit a seen much. Firstly I stayed at a hostal called Hostel Restaurant La Cigale one of the reasons being is because I took a shuttle bus that leaves Hostel Izhcayluma Vilcabamba right to the front door of La Cigale and back again to Vilcabamba, a good set up between the two hostals charging $16.US each way for the 5hr/200km ride. 

Now if you plan a visit at Hostal La Cigale which appears to be very popular as the play music and/or have live music there, supposedly until 11pm, but there were two nights the loud music and patrons were going until midnight one night and 1 am the other, so if your looking foe a quiet night sleep and you are in bed early this may not be the place for you, but breakfast is included and one does get 4 choices of what to eat with coffee and fresh juice.

Being in the old historic downtown of Cuenca with its colonial architecture buildings, was beautiful as I walked everywhere seeing many hostals, bakeries, restaurants specialising in Indian, Thai, pizza, local foods and coffee shops, I even found a vegan/vegetarian joint that served good portion bowls of salads for $1.50. I really liked the vegan/vegetarian restaurant so I will put their website here, its called the El Funky Sauce https://el-funky-sauce-vegetarian-restaurant.business.site Many, many shops and stores selling dress shirts, shoes, clothing, eye wear, hats, health stores, belts, boots, you name it, stores and shops everywhere. Then there’s the city double decker bus tours, I took the tour to the Turk outlook view point, to take overall photos of the city from above, the scenic tour was $8.00 for a 1 hr and 40 min. tour, hop on and off with your ticket, which allowed me to take daylight photo of the city and wait for another bus to come to allow me to take the night time photos as well.

Within Cuenca there is a area called Banos which has hot spring water pools to soak and relax, with mudding available to put all over your skin to dry and then cleanse off, I also went into the saunas. The cost of this was $8.00 and only about 15-20 min. from downtown historic area of Cuenca, by transit .25 cents there and back by taxi no more that $4.

There are so many churches in Cuenca and many of then are impressive in size, I also went to a photographic museum and saw many old photo collections on the walls with the old cameras on display. They do have a central market called Mercado 10 de Agosto where one can buy all the fresh fruits & vegetables one desires or fresh meat hanging in the open, which to me is an unpleasant smell of death, plus a few eateries serving very cheap local meals.

One night I went out to a free symphony by the high school students it was a very good performance as they played Beethoven & Mozart, it appears that Ecuador is promoting the symphony music and musicians of all ages with free performances which I must congratulate the so called government on for promoting such events.

Now here in Vilcabamba again I recently went on a mountain bike ride with Chino and his bike shop Chinos Bikes Vilcabamba, a group of us went by taxi with bikes uphill to Parque Nacional Podocarpus where we were dropped off at its highest peak to have a great view of both cities being Loja & Vilcabmaba, then we got to ride all the way down to Landangui which is just outside of Malacatos, what I enjoyed very much seeing was tiny villages with 2, 3 or 7 homes and usually a church coming down the mountain side of this ride, it seemed amazing people living in no man’s land so to speak. We had a few flat tires but Chino was successful at repairing them all so that we could keep on continuing the journey, he likes these tours to show off the beauty of nature and country, thus he knows many bike trails to take groups on for exercise and photo ops. I recommend going on a bike tour with Chino as he can supply bikes and helmets if one is interested in a mountain bike adventure, he is fluent in Spanish but Chino also speaks some English too. He likes to collect foreign bills from around the world, so if you have some foreign bills you’d like to donate to his collection I’m sure that would make his day.

Living the dream as a unemployed homeless traveller