August 9, 2006
Pacific Grove, CaliforniaWe left Ecuador on August 9th at the crack of dawn. Thanks to the help of our friend, Bruce, s/v Fifth Element, who helped us shuffle eight duffel bags of "stuff" off the boat and to the dock. The Captain had asked his crew to remove what "stuff" we could to lighten the boat for future voyages. We then fully loaded up a three wheeled, bike taxi with all the bags for the trek to the bus terminal. Even the bike taxi driver found our bags weighty so instead of peddling, he pushed his bike along side us as we all strolled to the terminal. The bus depot was located about one- thousand steps from the dinghy dock. We paid a fifty-cent fee for the service of the bike taxi.
We boarded a Camino del Reina bus, to embark upon our six-hour bus journey through the countryside of the Pacific coast from Bahia de Caraquez to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Ecuadorian bus ticket fees are about $1.00/travel hour. A very economical means of traveling in this country. For these long rides, the 'executive' buses are comfortable, clean, large, and air-conditioned. All of our bags were stowed below as cargo. We were only allowed one purse or backpack with a computer, aboard the bus. Every carry-on bag was searched and we were all body searched. Years ago, "banditos" held up the buses throughout Ecuador, so now there are security regulations that have reduce the number of robbers thus nearly ending this threat to foreigners and locals, alike. Our ride was smooth, comfortable, non-eventful, and the roads were in good condition. We slept or watched out the window, as we passed miles of wild pastures, cultivated lands, and occasionally a small town or village.
With only two hours to spare, we arrived at the largest city in the country, Guayquil. From the Guayquil bus terminal, we then climbed into a truck with our eight duffel bags and drove two or three miles to the airport. Never in the USA would we be allowed to climb into the back of a mini- truck with sideboard seats and bounce our way to an International Airport. Under construction is a new major International bus terminal that will soon link the bus terminal with the airport. Good urban planning is happening all around the world.
Side note: Guayquil, a southern port city is a major port of call and metropolis in Ecuador. In fact, we will never forget that on Gaby's recent 7th grade school exam, after studying South America in her geography unit, she was ask this question: Which major port is located on the Atlantic coast of Ecuador? a) Quito, b) Guayquil, c) Riobambo. To Gaby's credit, she refused to answer the question, disputing the question. She defiantly stated, "This is an impossible question. Ecuador has no Atlantic coast." Change the question to, "Which major port is located on the Pacific coast of Ecuador?" and the answer is "Guayaquil".
We arrived in California from Ecuador on August 10th. The TACA airline connections were incredibly swift and went without a hitch. In fact, it went so smoothly that "pee breaks" were not possible and I "pee" fast. Ok, "sorry", that's more information than you needed. Anyway, we arrived at 1 AM, San Francisco International Airport, to the news to of the British foiling the terrorist plot in London. Luckily for us, we were not affected by the incident and additional security procedures had not been installed.
Our intention for coming on this journey to our "home" in Northern California was to join our friend, Ann, at her 60th birthday celebration. Ann could not travel to be with us in Ecuador and she wanted us to meet all of her extended family. For those who do not know this, Ann initially met John when they attended college in the 1970's. Their lives have intertwined for many years, like friendships do, helping each other through the worst of times and enjoying each other in the best of times. Ann has since become an essential member of the Amberchan circle of family and friends.
In 2001, she flew to Virginia to visit with us. She joined us on our land trip across the USA, as we drove through the southern bible states and onto historic Route 66. We dogged tropical storms, a tornado, and luckily, did not miss Winslow, Arizona or the Grand Canyon.
In 2005, she flew to Zihuatanejo to be with us for Easter weekend and Palm Sunday. And then three weeks later, she flew back down to Mexico, to meet us in Oaxaca where we visited Mayan sites and shopped through all the small artesian towns and ate some of the best of Mexican cuisine of the country. The five of us travel well together, which is a statement of truly tolerant friends and deep commitment to the friendship.
Now in 2006, Ann could not join us in Ecuador so instead, she brought us to the northern lands of the America to have what she calls, "face to face" time with "my cute family".