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Cotacachi Character... and master weaver

Cotacachi indeed has local color and it also has it's share of characters. On our adventure in March we met one such fellow. And instantly added him to our new friends list in Cotacachi.

Jose Manuel Conejo is a master weaver with a small weaving studio just off the main town square.  And if you're up early enough to find him at home... you are in for a treat. He is a vibrant soul and tells his story with animated gestures and friendly smiles. 

We listened in awe as he explained a day in the life of a master weaver.

His family weaves in Peguche and his son also retails their products in Washington state. 

A few of our friends who joined us on that early morning visit were thrilled to hear his story and some even were fortunate enough to buy a few his exquisite pieces.

I have posted a few photos that portray this fine gentleman at home with his craft...  and loves to share his story with visitors to Cotacachi.

 

 

 

Jose Manuel Conejo - Master Weaver - Cotacachi Ecuador

"In Times Of Change...

The Learners will inherit the earth... while the Learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists" - Eric Hoffer 

Just think for a moment of all the people you know that have either made a commitment to move to Ecuador (or another country) from the United States or Canada.  And many more have have already planned trips to the land of the sun...

Change is the only constant in our lives and when we embrace the exhilarating feelings of learning how to thrive in somewhat chaoic world... and let the past fall away... we realize that Eric Hoffer was right on in his comment about understanding change.  He made that comment decades ago. 

And how long ago was it that Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary and countless musicians were singing, "The Times They Are Achangin"?   Wasn't that back in the sixties?  They must have been on to something... don't you think?  What's changed?  Everything!

If you love music... which I think we ALL do... you'll really get into the toe tappin sounds in this video from www.PlayingForChange.com. 

These arrangements of familiar sounds have been made possible by the contributions from street musicians from around the globe... and warm the heart and speak to the soul, about life and change.

I simply love music and the emotions it stirs inside and love to let it carry me with the lyrics and rhythm the artists soulfully portray with their compositions.

So enjoy the sights and sounds from around the world for a few minutes and just let yourself go.  Oh, and don't you think Grampa Elliot rocks!... ?   - Dennis

Looking For Luna Llama... one man's quest

This post was inspired one of our new friends we met recently in Cotacachi.  And I must admit... I'm just doing it to mess with his marvelous mind.  I mean... really now... when was the last time actually you knew someone who FIRED his boss?  A common occurrence in our current economic state?  I don't think so nana!  Not only did Chris fire his boss... he headed south with no real agenda other than to experience a more complete state of being.. by simply living in the present moment each day and reveling in the adventure it brought, what ever that may be.  (Major applause required here!!!) 

Bags packed, Chris escapes from Hooterville USA to trek south.

So with no schedule other than to resonate more with the nudges from the Universe... Chris brought his dream into focus and it began to appear.  But... I won't steal his thunder here because he has just started blogging and he plans to relate his adventures on a regular basis as his dream unfolds... and it will.   All I can say is that it involves Llamas, South America and nothing corporate in the least.

Watch for The Adventures of The Luna Llama - website coming soon.

In the meantime if you want to explore more of Ecuador and in particular, Cotacachi... head on over to the social network site we put up today for fellow travelers.  Our intent was to build a community where all of you that have visited Cotacachi or plan to travel there or even live there... would have a place to hang out with like minded adventurers.

You can add a post or photos or start a discussion in the Forum and set up your own profile. Check it out and have some fun with us there.

JOIN NOW AT:  http://Cotacachi.ning.com

 

"Life is an adventure or it is nothing at all" - Helen Keller

Ecuador Colors & Textures... speak to us

Last week Nicki and I returned from almost a month in the Land of the Sun... Ecuador.  I usually take a few photos at each place we visit and set up some slide shows to tell the story. And most of the time I'm pretty happy with my results.  This time I was starting to feel a little disappointed by what I was seeing.

I  discovered that didn't have as many great scenic photos as I'd wanted...  and I was sort of crying in my pretzels this afternoon... when my perspective did a quick 180. As I looked closely  at the deleted files... I  found these.   And they were just small stories that jumped out at me from larger pictures... they speak for themselves in their color, vibrancy and simplicity.

A clay gourd hangin' out at Peguche...

The beginnining of a shawl on the loom of weaver Jose Manuel in Cotacachi.

Vibrant colors and multi-textured rubble in transformation.

Tightly cropped entry garden at Santorini condo in Manta.

Mah.. my ole hound dog buddy... at el Meson de las Flores hotel in Cotacachi.

Bright tiled roofline in San Miguel community.

Larry the lounge lizard out for a stroll on the beach at Manta.

Serious dude from a few centuries ago... hasn't moved for some time now.

Organic garden project in Cotacachi.

Vivid bougainvillea at Jim's place  in San Clemente.

Ceramic imagery...

Through the breezeway at Palmazul Hotel in San Clemente

Same pool... different lighting... creates the mood.

Brilliant Reds speak loudly to anyone who'll listen... I was.

The worn top of a Ecuadorian Bandolina

Soulful Andean Graphics tell the story.

Adobe building bricks piled everywhere...

Enjoying the late afternoon sun at Hotel Palmazul... another day in paradise.

So, there you have it.  When you're at a loss for words and are short of scenic photos... take a close look at your deleted file... and focus in on a piece of a picture until it speaks to you...  

Then compose & crop it...  and flog it on your blog to show your friends.  Cool eh?  - Dennis

El Meson de las Flores... a mystical evening

We just returned from a few weeks in the mountains of Ecuador.  The first day back in Canada always seems like a time warp to me.  And as I was reflecting on a previous visit to that small country... I basked in the memories of one of our favourite adventures.

The mysticism of the Andes has always fascinated me since my first adventure here a few years ago. Was it really mystical or do I just see it thorough fantasy filters on my glasses? Or does it really matter?  Our perception is our reality and we do get to choose how we perceive all of our great adventures in life. 

I simply choose to adopt a "believe it and I'll see it" attitude about everything... and this is one of those moments that I enjoy believing there is something magic in the mountains.. so there is.

And on that evening, inside the hotel... the warmth of the fire in the Chiminea room sets the scene for a ceremony about to begin for spiritual cleansing. I had no idea what that was about...

Shaman Don Carlos had responded to Gary's request to hold this sacred event for the hotel's guests to experience... and it was definitely an exhilarating couple of hours. Attending a Shamanic ceremony can be a life-changing experience for some people.

Our time on this planet is not that long... and there is a rumor goin round that says there's more to life that turning a switch on and adjusting the volume. Just in case that's true... we gave our TV away a few years ago and haven't missed a bit.  In fact... we have more time and energy to really enjoy life and help other do the same. Funny how that happens... traded our TV for Ecuador... talk about fair trade.

I've posted a short slide show of several Shamanic ceremonies Nicolette and I have attended in recent years that you can see below.  Enjoy the photos.

Click on the photo below to see the slide show.

Remember... it's not trespassing to step outside your own boundaries... it's exploring life.  And I'm sure you will find it worthy of your time.  We did and we'll be back... often as we can.  Love the high Andes... the people... the energy ... the difference in culture and the opportunity to expand to a higher consciousness, both socially and personally. It could change your life. It changed ours.

So... step into your next adventure by attending the next Shamanic Mingo Tour.  You might even get as fired up about Ecuador as we are. 

Click on the photo below to find out how.

Cotacachi... One Enchanted Evening

El Meson de las Flores Hotel in Cotacachi radiates a charm that warms the soul, stimulates the imagination and welcomes you to embrace this friendly town and its people.  And the visitors often add a flair of their own to make memories of our stay here... simply unforgettable. 

This evening in March at el Meson was one of that you wish could go on forever...

We crowded into el Meson's  Chiminea room to let the rest of the world go by for a couple of hours and reveled in the warmth of the fire... and the soulful sounds of folk songs, fun songs and a few ballads from Cindy and Dan.  Most of us had never met before this visit... yet we bonded with the music and the new found friendships that make life so interesting. Gotta love that feeling eh?

We were all in Cotacachi... from different countries around the globe...  Spain,  Canada and the United States... and several others in between... to attend several seminars by Gary Scott.

This evening of music was only one of the many extras that we always are fortunate enough to experience when we join Gary and Merri at any of their events in Ecuador.  And of course the hospitality and professional service of the el Meson staff always make any visit at this historic hotel a memory to treasure for a lifetime.  Add a visit to el Meson de las Flores to your "Bucket List".

Ecuador's Coast worthy of a visit...

  More to follow on San Clemente....

Cotacachi Gardens

Cotacachi Gardens really do have 40 shades of green... and not in Ireland... but in a vibrant village high in the Andes in Ecuador.  Read more about these organic gardens on Nicki's blog: Garden with Passion.

Ecuador Dog Rescue

Who let the dogs out? 

Better yet... who took the dogs in? 

You know... the ones that are left to fend for themselves...  sometimes with serious injuries.  Rescuing dogs in need is a daily habit in the lives of Peggy and Lee Carper here in Cotacachi. Their compassion shows to everyone who visits the town. And to the residents... who have really noticed this helpful attitude of contribution... to the treatment and well being of this town's canine population.

This puppy was rescued....

And really wants a home... 

Who could say  NO to this little guy?

Peggy and Lee Carper have already made a significant difference in Cotacachi... just ask any dog.

Note the comments from a resident below... well stated. 

Feel free to add comments below any of these posts.  We welcome your feedback.

It's real easy... simply click on "comments" and enter text in the window that opens.

  - Dennis

Sam's Surprise...

We love Ecuador for many reasons... and we just added another one to our ever expanding list.  Our time with Micky Enright was one of the highlights of our recent visit to Cotacachi. Micky is the creator of Sam's Surprise.

This photo really portrays the elegance of a truly great spirit that is simply...  Micky.  It was taken at a recent book signing event at El Meson de las Flores hotel in Cotacachi.

Martha Enright, known by her family and friends as "Micky" spent the early years of her life in Chicago raising a family of five and an adopted young boy of Hispanic background.

Micky worked with Headstart program in the Chicago suburbs and served as president of the local chapter.

In 1979 Micky and her family moved to Florida where she currently resides and is a grandmother of 14 children.

Writing has always been Micky's hobby and it has inspired her to write children's stories based on her experience in raising a large family.  The Little Red Farm House was their Chicago home for many years and is the basis for future stories.

Here's what Micky says about her book....

WHY I CREATED SAM’S SURPRISE – By Micky Enright

As the mother of 6 children I became accustomed to surprises in all areas of raising a large family.  Four boys and two girls kept each day filled with humor (it was easier to laugh then cry) drama (the hamster died), intrigue (where is your little brother?) and you did WHAT?

Time passes and I am the grandmother of 12 children and 2 great grandchildren.  Looking back on life experiences, I was inspired in a flash to create a children’s story.  Sam’s Surprise to our family just happened without warning!  This story will help young children develop recognition of numbers and colors along with the humor of a busy home.

I am writing a second children’s book under the “Little Red Farm House” series and plan to continue writing these short, colorful stories.

I was raised in the suburbs of Chicago and moved to Florida over 30 years ago.  I have one sister also living in Florida.  Writing has always intrigued me and my first major attempt was at age 17.  I entered a national essay contest advertised on our black and white television and won over 15,000 entries.  The reward was a visit to New York and Washington DC for the Christmas Holidays.  Eisenhower was President and I was honored to attend the lighting of the White House Christmas tree and privileged to meet many dignitaries.  I was escorted by my parents, sister and a school teacher for this exciting tour of Washington DC and invited to many special events.

Book Price is $6.99 plus postage. 

I have white T-shirts in size 2 and 4. The cat Sam is on the front outlined in black.  The combination is $12.99 plus postage.

Please contact me:  mickyreal@comcast.net

PS:  After our visit with Micky... we just had to have a signed copy of her new book for our granddaughters back in Canada.  It has become their favorite book and we all look forward to more stories from Micky. 

Please feel free to forward this link to others you know that enjoy great childrens' books: http://Micky.e-quator.net