I'm sure the feeling will lessen as time goes on, but right now I don't want to be here. I want to be in Manta, Ecuador. Actually, I would love to be in the mountains of Otavalo, Ecuador, but Manta is where I will start out. November 1st is the target date.
After traveling throughout the country and visiting in the mountains, the big city, the beach, small towns, even the rain forest, I have found that I love this country for its amazing beauty, friendly people, unique way of life, not to mention the food. If you know me at all you know that the food would be a big draw. Sherry asked me towards the end of our trip if there was something I was craving from home. What I was actually craving was Ecuadorian food. We spent so much time looking for American food in Ecuador that I really didn't try as much of it as I would have liked. That will be part of my life in the new country.
There is a big rumor that other countries are dangerous. I had more fear in the LA airport and on the streets of Portland than I did in any town, city or village in Ecuador. When we walked out of the airport in Portland to get a taxi I was hit in the face with cigarette smoke. I had not realized that I hadn't smelled or seen anyone smoke in a month! Sherry and I walked the streets after dark in Otavalo with no fear. We rode on the bus with locals for short trips and long 5 hour trips without a care. The only time I felt sad was when a taxi driver looked at us with animosity and drove past us. I'm sure he had probably been treated badly by a Gringo and now didn't want anything to do with us. I fell in love with the indigenous mountain people. They are meek, gentle, industrious people who run the country. Isn't that a concept; a country run by the people. The president wants to change the law that says he can only be in power for so long because he's coming to the end of his term. Because he is good to the Quichua people and he does what they want he will probably get the law changed. All they want is to live life the way they have for centuries.
I will settle in Manta, a port town right on the beach, because that is where there is a great need for kingdom proclaimers. There is an English group there and they are affiliated with one of the Spanish Congregations. When I spoke with the Service Department at the Branch it was suggested that this would be the best fit for me. Part of the meeting is in Spanish so it will help me to learn the language. There is so much territory that needs to be covered that I will always be busy. I love the English speaking people there also. They were so welcoming and helpful. Lots of families with amazing stories of how they ended up in the country. I am looking forward to sharing those stories with you later.
So, decision made. I will keep you posted as to how it goes here with the selling of stuff and the visa process, which I hear is a nightmare, and still relating what happened during this visit because there is still so much. If you are still with me, thanks.
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