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Christmas at the Orphanage in Olon, Ecuador, the Happiest Place on Earth
This blog has a guest writer today for the first time ever! Erwin Musper lives with his wife Danielle near the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador. He spends most of his days at the orphanage – teaching guitar and providing a positive male role model for the kids. When not at the orphanage, he is fundraising to benefit it. He is an internationally acclaimed music producer, mixer and engineer who worked with acts like Metallica, Elton John, Anouk, and Van Halen. See the full list here. Take it away, Erwin! ————————————————————- One two three FOUR! Just like the famous first Beatles album, the YOKO band counted off their annual concert for the…
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13 Postcard Photos From Ecuador 911 Surveillance Cameras
Taking an image, freezing a moment, reveals how rich reality truly is. –Ansel Adams You want great postcard-like photos of Ecuador but do not have time to travel the country to take the photos yourself? You can search blogs and social media or you can search Twitter for the hashtag #PostalECU911. Ecuador 911 is the national emergency response system. Their Twitter accounts are a great follow for anyone visiting or living in Ecuador. Several locations have Twitter feeds, often named after each province capital. They are a great source of information on road conditions, volcanic activity, and other emergencies around the country. The photos in this post are all from…
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Pig Road (Avenida Don Bosco), Cuenca, Ecuador
I have eyes like those of a dead pig. — Marlon Brando We lived around the corner from Pig Road in Cuenca, Ecuador. Actually we were around the corner from Avenida Don Bosco but it may as well have been named Pig Road. If you are looking for pork in Cuenca, this is the place to go. When asked where we lived, the conversation often went something like this: New friend: Where do you live? Us: Near Don Bosco and Francisco de Orellena. NF: Is that near Pig Road? Us: Yes, Don Bosco IS Pig Road! Restaurants on Pig Road A long section of Don Bosco is known for…
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Fundraiser Recap – Christmas Gifts for 70 at the Olon Orphanage
On December 24, Papa Noel will hand out Christmas gifts to 70 children and mamitas living at the Olon Orphanage. The gifts are purchased with money from fundraisers, primarily an October dinner and silent auction held in a nearby town. Fundraiser host – Arena Guadua Ecolodge Surfcamp Montanita is a surf and party destination town along the Ecuador coast, hosting international surf competitions and full moon parties throughout the year. Montanita’s Arena Guadua Ecolodge Surfcamp was kind enough to host 2017’s orphanage fundraiser. Located in the quiet north end of the beach with an open floor plan, Arena Guadua was a great spot for the event. Volunteers and silent auction…
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The Legend about El Panecillo in Quito, Ecuador
“Leer, es otra forma de vivir; en realidad, una hermosa forma de vivir muchas vidas en una.” “Reading is another way of living; actually, a beautiful way to live many lives in one.” — Édgar Allen García, Ecuadorian author who writes about this legend Hill shaped like Spanish bread This is a legend about El Panecillo, a famous hill in Quito, Ecuador. It apparently got its name because the shape reminded the Spanish conquistadors of the bread baked in Andalusia, Spain. El Panecillo from Old Town Quito, Ecuador El Panecillo in Inca times Before the conquistadors arrived, the hill was known as Yavirac. The Incas celebrated Inti Raymi,…
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Cotacachi, Ecuador Expats Give Back to Community #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Inderpreet Uppal, Sylvia Stein, Susan Scott, Andrea Michaels and Damyanti Biswas. Please visit their blogs for more positive stories. Ecuador Expats Giving Back to Community Introducing Micky Enright, an 81 year old long time Ecuador expat from the United States, who opened the doors to Lugar de Esperanza in Cotacachi, Ecuador three years ago. She and her volunteers provide breakfast, medical care, baths, and changes of clothing to senior citizens who have limited resources. Photo courtesy of El Comercio newspaper…
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Calle La Ronda in Quito’s Historic Old Town
“Before, tourist operators wouldn’t bring travelers into the Old Town and tourists wouldn’t come here on their own either.” — Andrea Swigilsky, general manager of the upscale boutique hotel Patio Andaluz, in a 2008 article in the New York Daily News. Calle La Ronda (La Ronda Street) is a quaint cobblestone street in Quito’s Historic Old Town, the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Take a stroll down La Ronda and see centuries-old houses, artisan shops and bohemian cafes. Calle La Ronda, Old Town Quito, Ecuador History Calle La Ronda’s history begins in the 1400s as an Inca trail. In the 1500s,…
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Ecuador Navy Armada Includes WWII Tugboat
“fate unknown” — Status of the subject of this post, according to this page Ecuador Navy ships periodically anchor in Puerto Lopez bay. Military men and women come to town and play fútbol and volleyball, eat at restaurants and generally enjoy some time on land. They are always polite and friendly. Even their casual tops and shorts are identical and well pressed. Ed, a Peace Corps worker in town, mentioned that the boat currently anchored offshore was previously a WWII tugboat for the USA. I began to research this ship and found it has a long history. BAE Chimborazo (RA-70) anchored off Puerto Lopez November 5, 2017 Ecuador’s Navy Armada…
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International Triathlon Excites Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
“Dirt roads, stray dogs & a community with passion for triathlon. Tomorrow’s event will most certainly be an experience” — Jarrod Evans, USA Triathlon Coach, in a tweet the day before the Puerto Lopez triathlon (see screen shot later in post for accompanying photos) A triathlon in a picturesque Ecuador coastal fishing village invites athletes to enjoy pleasant weather, warm ocean temperatures, and fresh fruits. Puerto Lopez hosted the CAMTRI Triathlon American Championship for the first time. Elite athletes from around the world descended on Puerto Lopez to compete. The week prior to the triathlon, the malecon (oceanfront road) was filled with bicyclists and runners, enjoying their pre-race workouts and learning…
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Dutch Band Donating Album Proceeds To Benefit Ecuador Orphanage #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath, Mary Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen, and Guilie Castillo for all you do! Please visit their blogs for more positive news. VANDERLINDE Live Trails Album Proceeds To Benefit Ecuador Orphanage This is the story of an incredibly generous gift to the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador by Dutch band VANDERLINDE. All band members, the producer, the recording and mixing engineers, and the studio are donating all proceeds from their latest album, Live Trails, to benefit…
