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Published: January 19th 2012
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Our plan for new year was always to return to Peru and spend a few days celebrating at the beach bungalows with our not very sane amigo Carlos. So, with this in mind we departed Banos by bus and after 8 hot and bumpy hours arrived in Guayaquil where we only had enough time for a meal, a beer and a sleep before getting up early to catch another bus that would take us to Peru (a ten hour journey).
I hope that my dear readers understand what trial this travelling lark is. It is not all about seeing ancient wonders, lazing on beaches, swimming with turtles, experiencing new cultures and cuisines, having daily adventures and meeting new and interesting people !!! Indeed not. Your correspondent – periodically – has to spend several hours on a comfortable bus (apart from in Bolivia) just to get to places to report back to you.
Our bus journey out of Ecuador took us back to Huaquillas, the scene of our hijacking. This time however, we were told that we did not have to get off the bus as it would go directly across the border with no need to change buses. A
fine plan we thought. All went well and we reached the immigration point. The passengers who were going across the frontier were told we had to get off and have our exit papers stamped. Just as we all got off (with our small rucksacks) the driver informed us that he was taking the rest of the passengers to the city and he would come back for us later and off he sped – with all our big rucksacks still on board !!
There was no small amount of consternation among those who were now stood on the side of a busy road. Had we again fallen victims to a another scam? Had we lost all our luggage? Were we going to be stranded in southern Ecuador? Was your correspondent going to be forced into a life of slavery in the banana plantations? The answer to all these worrying questions will be found in the next short paragraph.
No. The bus came back as promised with all our luggage still in the hold. Remainder of journey to Los Organos passed without any incident that required embellishment.
Arriving back at the bungalows ( the ones that overlook the sparkling
blue pacific and white sandy beaches, where it was about 30 degrees – just wanted to remind you all), we were met by a smiling Carlos, who immediately showed us improvements that he had made to the place and regaled us with stories of problems with his workers. Thankfully, he informed us, he now has the best and most reliable workers in town building his kitchen. Your correspondent would watch these reliable workers down tools and have a rest as soon as Carlos went in to town for supplies!! One day, they even started work for his next door neighbour while he was away for an hour!!! I am convinced that the roars of anger that Carlos emitted on his return would have been heard across the world.
Our main reason for returning was new year’s eve. This was to involve beer, rum, wearing yellow and homemade fireworks. Yes, dear readers, your correspondent was to get involved with incendiary devices. Those who know me will be shuddering at the mere thought of such an activity. To get hold of such items we relied on Carlos. He knew a man who made the fireworks and said he would take me
there on the back of his motorbike. Not only was I now involved in explosives, I was riding shotgun as we entered what can only be described as a nasty area of town.
Carlos took me to a shack where your correspondent was convinced he had been thrown in to a covert operation to overthrow the Peruvian government. Gunpowder, treason and plot filled the air – well, mainly gunpowder as the place was covered in it. I watched as the expert put the powder (copious amounts) into a roll of paper and moulded it into a ball. Then I watched in horror as he sealed the edges using a lighter!!!! I cannot tell what he did next as I was running as far away as possible as quickly as I could. The locals can only have been impressed by my display of Scottish fortitude.
Somehow we escaped without injury and I found myself pillion on the motorbike carrying a four foot high and five foot wide frame for loading the fireworks in my left paw, while holding in my right, enough explosives to wipe out most of the Pacific coast. Carlos, of course, took it all in his
stride and was so comfortable that he stopped on the way back to pick up a roasted chicken for dinner. I stayed outside looking furtive as everybody passing me would stop and stare.
The wearing of yellow is a new year tradition here. Mainly the wearing of yellow underwear. The local market was full of such items, although your correspondent refused to join in as there was no changing room to try on a smart yellow posing pouch that I had my eye on. The world has missed what would have been a fascinating sight.
After whiling away a few hours drinking and eating, the darkness of night arrived so the excitement of launching the fireworks was reaching breaking point. Although there was still half an hour to go, we agreed to test one of the fireworks. We had a dozen of two types. Rockets and “bombas”. In the interest of scientific research fuelled by rum and adrenalin one of each was selected.
A rocket was placed in the launching pad and under torchlight your correspondent bravely lit the one second fuse with a cigarette and threw himself on the ground – thankfully in situations like this
I always carry a small puppy or kitten as a suitable replacement thus avoided injury. The rocket soared up into the velvety darkness and exploded into myriad of colours with a resounding bang. Passing ships could have used it as a guide. It put the licensed fireworks in UK shops to shame.
Then, it was the turn of a “bomba”. This had a longer fuse, so it was easy to light and then scuttle away to a safe distance. It went higher than the rocket, it was brighter than the rocket and the noise was deafening. The whole of the bay reverberated with thunder and triggered a tsunami in the Southern Islands. Bloody hell. This was awesome.
The night was spent drinking more and setting off explosives into the wee small hours. Your correspondent perhaps got a bit brazen with his lighting techniques, but still has ten fingers to count with. There were many firework parties that we could see in the vicinity but ours made them pale into insignificance. Carlos had come up trumps.
The next episode of Herge’s Adventures of Wendy is called Adventures in the Amazon – stay tuned readers.
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Taffy
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The Big Bang
Once again it was worth waiting for but we are starved for more although the thought of gordon on a motorbike with that contraption AND lethal fireworks makes one shudder - and there is still the Amazon trip to come - get on with it! x Taffy