Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Ecuador is one of my favorite countries and certainly has some of the kindest, most endearing people on earth. We arrived today to the tiny fishing town of Puerto Lopez in the early morning, and as the National Geographic Endeavour nestled herself just inside the bay, we set out for either a natural history and birding excursion, or a cultural and archaeological outing. Meanwhile, we had a few visitors to the vessel.
The local authorities (some dressed to the nines) came out to clear us into their country with grace and honor. Our Purser Sandra, who lives in Ecuador but who is “off rotation” traveled to the coast for a visit with her friends and colleagues onboard. Proudly, she brought her extended family in tow. And we welcomed aboard the humble and inspirational Pablo Corral Vega, a local writer and photographer featured in the February 2001 issue of National Geographic. You should check out this issue if you don’t already have it on your shelves at home. It is a beautiful piece about the Andes Mountains and the people who live near them. Pablo begins in the south (Chile) and travels up the spine to the Caribbean (Panama) as we have. During his journey, Pablo encounters the people and relates to us through their stories much in the same way as we have on this voyage. His message is encouraging and inspirational:
“As I watched the sun set, I thought of the people who opened their homes to me along the cordillera and of the great lesson they taught me: Hospitality, friendship, the unconditional support of family, and the time we take to share all these things are the most valuable treasures of my people.”
These words ring true for me as I once again travel beside, along and through the Andes with our comfortable, nimble ship as our platform for exploration. The people we meet and the treasures we sail away with, albeit a trinket, a memory or a photograph, all somehow comfort me. I feel genuinely welcomed here in South America and at ease with her people. I know that I may have made a small yet important difference here with a simple “hola,” or perhaps with just a friendly smile to the school children who all come down to the shoreline to see this famous ship.
And perhaps, most importantly, I feel like coming back here soon…very soon.
Ecuador is one of my favorite countries and certainly has some of the kindest, most endearing people on earth. We arrived today to the tiny fishing town of Puerto Lopez in the early morning, and as the National Geographic Endeavour nestled herself just inside the bay, we set out for either a natural history and birding excursion, or a cultural and archaeological outing. Meanwhile, we had a few visitors to the vessel.
The local authorities (some dressed to the nines) came out to clear us into their country with grace and honor. Our Purser Sandra, who lives in Ecuador but who is “off rotation” traveled to the coast for a visit with her friends and colleagues onboard. Proudly, she brought her extended family in tow. And we welcomed aboard the humble and inspirational Pablo Corral Vega, a local writer and photographer featured in the February 2001 issue of National Geographic. You should check out this issue if you don’t already have it on your shelves at home. It is a beautiful piece about the Andes Mountains and the people who live near them. Pablo begins in the south (Chile) and travels up the spine to the Caribbean (Panama) as we have. During his journey, Pablo encounters the people and relates to us through their stories much in the same way as we have on this voyage. His message is encouraging and inspirational:
“As I watched the sun set, I thought of the people who opened their homes to me along the cordillera and of the great lesson they taught me: Hospitality, friendship, the unconditional support of family, and the time we take to share all these things are the most valuable treasures of my people.”
These words ring true for me as I once again travel beside, along and through the Andes with our comfortable, nimble ship as our platform for exploration. The people we meet and the treasures we sail away with, albeit a trinket, a memory or a photograph, all somehow comfort me. I feel genuinely welcomed here in South America and at ease with her people. I know that I may have made a small yet important difference here with a simple “hola,” or perhaps with just a friendly smile to the school children who all come down to the shoreline to see this famous ship.
And perhaps, most importantly, I feel like coming back here soon…very soon.
