from the coast to the mountains

Everything was visercal. Everything was felt deeply. The absurdity of the adventures we had during this whirlwind time of travelling and working and exploring and laughing together as we made our way from the coast of Ecuador to the mountains was insane. I was overjoyed and full of adrenaline, exhaustion, excitement, lust for more of this life, while at the same time, craving stillness, and routine, and home. I was lost and found all at the same time.

The waters of Isla de la Plata and the protected lands along the southern coast of Ecuador were stunning. Tropical blue water. White sand beaches. Endless sunshine. Incredible species. Amazing people. And so much to do, with so little time. Everything was fast-paced, and fun, and got my blood pumping and my fight/flight state activated wherever we went. I was living in the moment as best I could, and enjoying all of the sights, and sounds, and people, and oh so good food. Everything was so new. I was tired.

Cuenca stole my heart. From the cobblestone streets, to the old brick buildings, to the pastries and bundles of flowers and herbs in the bustling open-air markets, to the cozyness of being surrounded by the mountains. This city was a taste of what was to come when I finally made it to Peru. It felt more like home here, and I loved it. I would start my day early, leave our rented apartment, and walk down the street to the French patisserie to get a handful of delicious croissants for cheap, walk back to start my workday and head out again around lunchtime. For a week, I had routine again, and it made me so happy.

Banos was all adventure. Nighttime naturally-fed hot baths. A treehouse swing in the sky. Whitewater rafting down a fast moving river. Canyoneering over cliffs. Cycling old railways and waterfall hopping. I had my pixie hair and I was ready for anything.

Things began again and ended in the Amazon. For Easter long weekend, I shut my phone and my brain off and was the most present in nature that I had been in a long time. The Amazon begs you to leave it all behind and get wrapped up in its beauty and tranquility. Every morning we would rise early to join our tour guide on a private walk or river paddle to spot species. We’d head back for breakfast, break for a quick nap and read, eat another delicious meal, and then head out on the water or on land again to see more of what this incredible place keeps. We met people from all around the world travelling and visiting. It was a cocoon of presence and warmth and curiosity and familial energy amongst strangers turned friends I had never experienced, and it was beautiful.

After a long bus ride back, we collapsed back in Quito. He flew back to Canada a couple days later and I continued on. I was meeting a friend in Colombia in a couple weeks, and soon, Peru, but this time, on my own.

The pain in my body and my spirit was so visercal. I learned that all births begin first, with a painful death.

All for now,

All my love,

Onward.

-m

(Written 01/01/2024)