Camp Saman

Yesterday Luis and I visited one of the two camps sheltering families near by Canoa. One of the camps is run by the government and the one we went to is run by a group of volunteers who live in Cuenca but are from all over the world. They are truly amazing and what they have created is just fantastic. Currently there are 35 families in their camp but they expect more to come.  The atmosphere here is up beat and optimistic.  Everyone in the camp has a job on site to keep the place running smoothly, they are growing food and learning about composting their waste.  They all have their own small kithen beside their tents but also a big communal area where they have activites and big meals at times.  Every week each person is given 8 points and they spend this at their shop on site (funded by donations and has pretty much everything).   We went for the day to give some toys and clothes we had brought and join in their bingo game (I was very disappointed not to have won a prize).

 Camp Entrance

 One of the wonderful volunteers and camp founder, Deana

 The tents

Children choosing toys

 My non winning bingo card

 Luis giving a prize to someone who had a winning board!

Lola tried to play but decided bingo was a bit boring for her.

The place has such amazing spirit and for some people it is a better situation than before the earth quake.  There is zero tolerence for domestic violence which is common in the area.  The camp offers counciling if it is an issue, but there are no second chances.  There is no alcohol permitted, which has also had a dramatic impact in dropping the violence.  They make the rules together and come together to meet and discuss when there is a problem.  Many of the women cannot read or write and this is something else that they are trying to help with.  
I had such a great day and was so happy to see the people optimisitic and building towards a new bright future. 

Canoa three months later

Yesterday we arrived back to Canoa, today marks three months from the earth quake. These are my thoughts and observations so far.
We drove from Quito and hit the coast at Perenales, one of the towns/small city worst affected by the earthquake. You would never know you are in the same place as you were just over three months ago. It use to be full of tall buildings a bustling place of business and now it is a small town with very few buildings at all. We then travelled South down the coast to Canoa. The road is still being fixed and you can see the immense damage the earthquake caused all along the route. There are many camps set up and tents in place of destroyed homes.
We then arrived in Canoa, what use to be a small town is now half its size. Finding our hostel was tricky for a minute as all our usual land marks were gone. The restaurant that Dominica was trapped under is a distant memory with a few bricks still remaining in its place. A whole street of restaurants and houses has just disappeared and in its place empty lots. But the rubble is cleared and if you did not know what happened it may even look normal to you.
We checked in and then realised we needed to send something to Peru (Thai visa stuff) so we headed to Bahia, 14km's away, the nearest 'city'. From a distance it does not look bad, loads of tall buildings still stand. But once you get there, you see the total devastation. Most buildings are just waiting to come down. When looking for a post office or delivery service people just laughed at us and said there is noting left here. Eventually a cab driver said we could follow him in our car and took us to a small room in a broken building that now operates as a marriage place/license place/post office and probably a million other functions. Here you could see just how devastating the earthquake was and still is.
But the thing that has struck me the most is how incredible the human spirit is. In that small office young couples were getting married, getting their drivers license and people were laughing and chatting and celebrating, life has gone on. Back in Canoa the beach bars still had people at night, playing music together and singing, children are still playing football everywhere, shops have been made out of bamboo, there is even a spa outside of our hostel in a tent. The tourism has changed, the remaining hostels and hotels have some guests, they are the doctors, vets, volunteers, that are here to help. We had long chats to the owners of our hostel, now friends for life, the experience having bonded us. The volunteers are helping the industry but of course they need more tourism to come back. And people should.
Besides the obvious structural changes in Canoa nothing else has changed. The beach is still beautiful, the food being served in restaurants is fantastic and the people are more beautiful than ever. It is a place not to be missed out on travels.
I will miss this place loads when we leave Ecuador and for now will enjoy our small honeymoon here trying to help a bit where we can.

More Pictures..

Since losing 90 percent of my blog pictures I am now saving photos in about one hundred locations.  And as I am spending the morning in an internet cafe, I thought I would post a few more that have been shared with me before I lose them again!

 These are taking a long long time to download and I am late for an Endara family lunch! Prepared to be bored to tears another day with photos!

Back to Hubbie

After a lovely relaxing ten days in Barbados (on my own) it was time to return to my husband and see what married life is all about.  So far so good, returning to beautiful flowers and a spotless home.  Today we are running around like crazy trying to sort Thai Visa before heading to the Coast at the end of the week.
I definitely left Barbados with a heavy heart though, knowing it will be some time till we get there, UK (hopefully here sooner as much easier to get too) or Canada to see my fabulous family. I had a great time though having dinner with friends and family, chilling at the beach and walking loads.

 Dinner with Vicki and Nat for all their wedding help

 Day at the beach with the kiddies

 A mexican meal prepared by yours truly before departing the next day.  Full of fun and laughs.  Now back in Quito, and as I always say thrilled to be back with my two L´s.

Jodi and Quiz

I have been having a lovely few days.  I have been relaxing, beaching, reading walking (upcoming blog on this), and spending time with friends and family.  On Tuesday night me and my beautiful God Daughter Jodi spent some quality time out for dinner.  She is such a lovely girl and it was great to hear about her first year in secondary school and the fact there is no boy friend on the scene...yet.

And last night was very exciting, in fact a big highlight of the year.  Our small team of four, originally meant to be a family team (but most cousins wimped out), won the Cruising Club pub quiz by one point.  And there were nine teams no small feat!  And even more amazingly, I got lots of questions and even the 8 point question that secured the win at the end.

This is our small victorious team. I am still relishing in our win!

Family Time

Well the last guests have left and I have so many fabulous memories of the last two weeks to take away with me.  Now I have just under a week to spend with my wonderful family who I feel like I have not seen at all.  So bring on a week of relaxing at the beach during the day and calm dinners at night.

 I started the family time on Sunday when Robert and Rosette took me to a friends party.  To be fair this did not end up being too calm, but hey ho we did have a great time.

Last night after all had departed me and Aunty Andy went to dinner together.  As per usual we had a lovely time chatting and catching up.  Then I went home for the longest sleep I have had in ages! It was definitely needed.

Basel BBQ July 2nd

Today the Basel peeps had us over for a BBQ.  All my guests found great places to stay and this place was no exception.  It is beautiful, great location and even better price.  I cannot believe they ever left it, I would have been tempted to stay at the property the entire time.  I was very glad they shared it with us and now have loads of properties that I can recommend to visitors.

 It really has been great to spend some quality time with them.  I wish I had had more time to do that with everyone at the wedding.  I guess all will have to come to Phuket!