Blogs from Esmeraldas , North, Ecuador, South America

Buenas tardes everybody. It has been some time since my latest dispatch, and a lot has happened. I have also been sitting at this computer for about an hour and half now, writing emails. So I guess this is a warning to the reader...this blog might be sloppy. My last entry was from Otavalo, a popular market town a couple hours north of Quito, in the mountains. A notable event from there: I watched the Ecuador Chile eliminatorias game (a league game to determine who gets into the 2010 World Cup, this game did not determine if Chile or Ecuador made it, per say, but its nearing the end of the eliminatorias and was certainly important)...I watched this game in a packed theater with a bunch of Otavaleños. They served popcorn and soda, had stadium seating, ... read more

The bus station was full. I was the only gringo in there, and as I sat there clutching my bags and sensing peoples eyes examining me and my belongings I thought "This is what travelling alone must be like alot of the time". The sensation certainly wasn't lost at all as I sat in my bus seat and felt kids under my seat tugging on my bag, which I clutched with sufficient strength to deter the slightly simple youngsters. Otherwise the bus ride was great... Ohhh... Except for the fact that I had to take a piss after to hours, but wasn't comfortable leaving my bags unattended, so I held on for 10 hours, often having to lend some physical assistance to the hold. I believe the experience has atleast increased my bladder capacity! Finally I ... read more