"On the Trail"

The Journals from the Road

Tuesday, November 7, 2000: Meeting ¨Mandala¨ Ramon and the search for ¨La Reina¨ -- Arrenillas, Ecuador (63 kms)

Tad here,

Ramon from Spain (on the right) More Photos

Frank had breakfast with a friend, Mari, and I went back and had breakfast with Merci, Magali, and her family. Came back and practiced typing messages on an old type writer with Luisanna. She typed out a beautiful note of encouragement for me which I will keep in my on-bike photo album.

We had hoped to get out of town yesterday but it ended up getting to late in the day. So we are, for sure, heading out today.

After about 17 kms out of Machala, Frank noticed that his rain cover was missing. He hopped on a bus to retrace the 17 kms and I did biky-sitter duty and read How to Find Inner Peace by the Peace Pilgrim. Very simple, and very instructive. I think I just found inner geese and am still looking for inner peace. A few more steps...

As I was about to enter a state of total traquility I was slightly started by a guy on a bike, a loaded bike. Wow, what a terrific surprise! Ramon, has biked through Africa, Asia, Europe, and most of South America. He makes wire mandalas and sells them to pay for his trip. Meeting another long-distance cyclist is like a reunion with a best friend. You understand each other with very little explanations. Frank showed up with no luck finding the rain cover. Bummer.

The three of us talked about places to ride in South America, big experiences, and lifted each others bikes and laughed at how heavy the PeaceBikers´ were in comparison to his. We are now considering a garage-bike-sale or giveaway to lighten our loads. Took a pic of the three of us and headed south and Ramon headed north. Wind to your back, Ramon!

For lunch I bought some vegis and made a sandwich and passionately slurped the seeds out of 3 passion fruits?? (maraculla). Frank went for the local seafood which was about the only restaurant option.

We made a wrong turn but got headed south again and headed, smooth and flat, to the town or Arrenillas. It just so happened that Arrenillas was having its annual Riena de la Comunidad (Queen of the Community) party. And was it ever a party! The whole town was there (some 3000 people) and we enjoyed a sort of local beauty pageant/dance show/people watching event. We were both waiting for the big dance after the pageant but I finally got tired and went back to the hotel at 11:00. Frank came a bit later. I guess the party wound down at 4:00 am, on a Tuesday night too!

Sleep now, dance soon,

TAD

back to top