Nets, Fishing Nets Made in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador #AtoZChallenge
As you walk around Puerto Lopez, you will likely find someone working on a fishing net. One of the steps in creating a new net is to string rope between two posts and attach the net. As one long section is completed, the rope is moved along and retied, finished portion on the ground.
The fish market I wrote about recently (see it here) is behind the guys in the first photo. In the second, they are working along a river walk 5 minutes from the fish market.
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A look back
Last year, I wrote Nurturing Owl Parents.
Emily Bloomquist
I am a US Expat in Ecuador. I grew up on a Minnesota farm, worked in IT in California's Silicon Valley, then moved to a coastal Ecuador fishing village. My goal is to share Ecuador with you, one snippet at a time. Topics include attractions, compassion, ecotourism, Ecuador products, everyday Ecuador, and flora and fauna. Please let me know what you would like to read more about!
18 Comments
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – what fun to see … and love the idea of being so near where they're fishing … glad they repair them -cheers Hilary
Emily Bloomquist
Hi Hilary, It is great that they make and repair them so close to where they are used. Thanks so much for your continued support!
Arti Jain
I'm getting very inspired by your photos Emily. They're making me take notice of what's around me a bit more carefully:)
In souqs and near boats here in Doha, you'll find men working on nets, too.
Perhaps, I'll stop by and take a picture next time.
N is for No to News
Emily Bloomquist
That is such a kind thing to say, Arti! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Yes, take notice of the things you pass by often and hardly see. It happens to all of us – we get so caught up in our lives that we fail to notice what is right in front of us. I walk past these net builders all the time and only this year began photographing them. Enjoy!
Keith's Ramblings
I'd never given any thought to how fishing nets came to be before reading this! Another great snippet of life Equador.
My Friend Rosey – N is for Nude!
Emily Bloomquist
Nets are just things that exist, right? Until I moved here, the making of them never crossed my mind either, Keith. Thank you!
Nilanjana Bose
Great that they keep the handmade traditions alive. I always love watching artisans at work – a different high.
Emily Bloomquist
I agree – it is great seeing handmade traditions stay alive. You do such a great job describing artisan work – I would love to read your words after you watch them for an hour. Thanks so much, Nila!
Donna B. McNicol
Fascinating…loving the photos you're sharing.
Donna B. McNicol|Author and Traveler
A to Z Flash Fiction Stories | A to Z of Goldendoodles
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you Donna!
Heather Erickson
That looks like a difficult and tedious job! Interesting, though. It's amazing how many different jobs there are in the world. Are these men selling the nets or using them in their own fishing business?
Heather Erickson Facing Cancer with Grace
Emily Bloomquist
You are right, Heather – it is difficult and tedious yet they make it look easy and fluid. The majority are commissioned to make nets for fishing businesses, often owned by relatives of those making them. Thanks so much for visiting and commenting!
Marcy
There must be so many behind the scenes jobs that people do all over the world that others don't recognize or just take for granted. Thanks for helping to open our eyes, if just a little bit. Any productive work is good!
Emily Bloomquist
Absolutely, there must be, Marcy! So many that we just never think of. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Arlee Bird
I don't recall seeing any fishermen, but I don't think we were at any of the places where they'd be found. Close, but not quite there.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Emily Bloomquist
While Guayaquil is in the coastal region, the water there is actually several rivers that flow into the ocean just west of Guayaquil. If you don't have time to come all of the way to Puerto Lopez, you can travel under an hour west to Playas and you will see fishermen. There I have also seen net repair and building on the streets.
Thanks for stopping by, commenting, and especially for creating the A to Z Challenge, Arlee!
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
Interesting!
Ronel from Ronel the Mythmaker A-Z road-tripping with Everything Writerly: N is for Notebooks
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks for A-Z road-tripping, Ronel!