Still Off The Grid And Loving Life
July has been a difficult time for our world. Just because we live in a little piece of heaven does not mean we are not connected with the state of affairs all over the world. I watched the Dallas events unfolding live on my sling box as well as the other events happening in our world. Funny how informed the Ecuadorian are with all the pending elections in the United States. Our Canadian friends watch what is going on as a source of entertainment. It is kind of like watching reality TV. Yes, I even watched the RNC and DNC and have registered to vote out of the county. So time will tell how that works out.
The earthquake really affected the coast and is terrible as well as the economy in Ecuador. The Andes did not have damage but it has affected the economy even here. Now is a great to visit Andres especially if you are looking to rent or buy. I encourage you to explore Ecuador. Bill and I are exploring the export business to help the artisans of Ecuador as well as to share their great products. However, more on that later.
What real cheddar cheese in Ecuador!
Another traveling adventure via the Trans-Rabbit Tour with Milton to the Lacteous Yaznan Cheese Factory in Cayambe where we met Greg Perkins.
http://blog.cheesemaking.com/greg-perkins-ecuador/
Turns out Greg Perkins is from Chicago and has been making real cheddar cheese for years and partnered up with this little Ecuadorian cheese factory. He helped them bring their production up to Ecuadorian standards and introduced them to the art of making cheddar cheese. The cheese was difficult to age because all the employees loved it and easily consumed the production. So when we buy the cheese it is suggested that it age in the refrigerator during the daytime and take out at night for about a month. However, it is good without the aging but we really enjoy a sharp cheese! He is such an incredible person and certainly left his footprint in Ecuador by teaching the owner how to produce this wonderful cheese. I always said if anyone ever learned how to produce real cheddar they could make a fortune. What is even nicer is that you can send in an email order and they deliver to a central location in Cotacachi.
Healing Hot Springs
Well, Billy Boy has been suffering from back pain after lifting all those heavy bags from our return trip from Texas. So doctor’s orders are to swim and our favorite taxi driver took us to Chachimbiro Hot Springs. I learned that Chachimbiro means strength in the native Quechua language. Some of the healing minerals contain iodine, iron, and copper to name a few, and are considered some of the most beneficial therapeutic waters in the county.
Our taxi driver showed us a smaller spring and much more private. All three of us had a good soak and swim in the warm water and then gradually stepped into the soothing therapeutic very hot pool. Of course, the water looked murky but then so do Texas lakes. Later, we had nearly had our fill of this wonderful spring when suddenly a bus load of children started arriving from Tucan near the Columbia border. Turns out this was their end-of-year school party. The teachers were very respectful and would not let the children join us in the pool even though we were saying it was fine. They directed their students to go to a different pool. We decided to get out of the pool and then the children gradually began to get into the pool. I have learned that no matter where you are children will be children. One of the teachers was so interactive with his students in the pool. They played a game of tag after one of the students pulled off the teacher’s swim hat and tossed it around to each other. The teenage girls strolled around in their swimming suits holding hands and not daring to get their hair wet. All and all it was a beautiful day enjoyed by all. I only wished I had my camera on that trip. We have been back several times and the pools are indeed healing.
La Mirage Cooking Class
Inti Raymi
How time flies! It is hard to believe we are now experiencing our 4th Inti Raymi! Our first experience was simply an exploratory quest of Ecuador. A friend living in Cotacachi advised us to cancel our trip since it was so dangerous. Well, we did not cancel our trip even though I was anxious. Upon arrival at our hotel Land of the Sun, we learned we had nothing to fear. Think of New Orleans at Mardi gras.
Inti Raymi is a kichwa word that translated refers to the beginning of the summer solstice and is the most important celebration of the year. It is one giant party with dancing and drinking to the extreme. The hills were certainly alive with music, fireworks, and barking dogs. There is a time-old tradition of bathing at midnight in a river or waterfall to wash off the old negative energies. It really is a family affair starting with a children’s parade, men’s and later woman’s parade. Turns out little Cotacachi is the heart of the celebration as all of the tribes come down from the mountains to capture the town square and is a sight to behold. We always stay on the sidelines to watch safe out of harm’s way.
La Mirage Summerfest
The even of the season is La Mirage Summerfest which included shopping and tasting wonderful products of Ecuador. Then we had a wonderful La Mirage Dinner!
DID SOMEONE SAY PARTY?????
This month there are just too many parties to write about individually so I think pictures or better than words. We went to two 4th of July parties. Yes, we celebrate the 4th here. Plus celebrated two birthdays mine and a neighbor’s. Dian and Bob also had the party of the year. So, yes we have been soooooo busy and having fun living off the grid!
Still off the grid and loving life!
