08.02.2017
From Apuela to the Coast
Good bye beautiful mountains, open busses and kind people. I really loved the Intag river full of huge rocks and water that passes by with crazy speed. Me and Mario we built mojones on the river, the small towers of rocks. It was a relaxing, like meditation.
Then begun a new adventure, the ride to the coast. It started in the morning, fortunately not so early this time. If we all would have known what kind of road was waiting for us we would have gone to bed earlier - maybe...
The Trip started really nicely but then began the pain. The Road had huge bumps and holes full of mud. We were all jumping and hopping on the bus like being on a roller coaster. The Only difference was that a roller coster last only few minutes but our ride lasted hours. We drove up and down on the mountains, nature was changing with every moment. In one moment I felt like I was at home- the mountains looked like they look in South- Estonia, small and round. Tiny rivers, mountains, valleys- everything looked like a beautiful postcard. I didn't care about jumping up and down in the bus because the view was so breath taking. I noticed that on the bus was another person who didn't dare to sleep- Nadja. She was constantly taking pictures and saying how beautiful everything looks.
Our buss driver seemed to enjoy the road his own way. As the nature was changing he was changing music in the bus. It all started with selection of Ace of Base, then traditional Ecuadorian music to electro with afro elements. Some songs were too good for sitting, but hopping on the seat replaced the dance floor pretty well.
After nine (?) hours of humping and jumping we finally arrived at the coast. Despite of the darkness I felt salt in the air- the ocean! The Moon was reflecting on the water, far from us a thunderstorm gave it's finest show. It was time to put the toes in the warm water of the ocean.
Some days later we moved from our private hotel to the small surfers willage called Canoa. It looks like a fun mix of hippies, fishermen, surfers and gringo tourists. The small food court in the beach is full of seafood and fresh delicious juices. My favorite is creamy and fresh coconut icecream- yum!
Less than a year ago this area was shaken by a strong earth quake. Canoa is one of the places where people lost their homes and family members. It's sad to look at the empty lots where used to be house. But people don't complain, they do what they need to do- live their lives. Go fishing, sell products on the streets and try to restore they houses as much as they can. People here look a bit darker, the music sounds a bit more afro and dances are bit hotter too. Of course nobody can't beat our Colombian team members- they are the best dancers! Rrrrrr.... :)
The next post will be about our workshop in Bahia de Caraquez, stay tuned!
Kristiina