From Bad to Amazing; an Experience Never to be Forgotten – Part 3

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. This morning when I woke, I immediately went to the river, my new daily ritual, to say thank you for such a beautiful day. As it happens it is also my son Lucas’ birthday, a day I have always treasured. Both our lives were threatened the morning of his birth, a year ago he fought to keep his life when he returned from Routan with severe illness. I sit here this morning so happy to see the day, to know he is doing well and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. There is yet another reason to celebrate this fine day, one for the country of Ecuador, who have once again proven that unity can accomplish great things. The indigenous people of Ecuador have succeeded in their efforts and will return the country to normal over the next week. I think you would have to agree with me; this is amazing…… to everyone back home I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, may you all enjoy your celebration with family and friends – have some extra stuffing and gravy for me please:).

To continue with my story from last week, it all seems strange now that there is an answer to the problem which led me to leave Cotacachi one week ago. When I woke on the second morning, staying with Jenny and her family, I imagined the strike going on for a much longer period of time. I think everyone did. One of my first thoughts that Wednesday morning as I lay there, was that I really didn’t want to leave, I would miss this family a great deal. But, as things often happen to help us on our way, it turned out to be a rather unsettled day in some ways.

Jenny had woke up feeling unwell, the extent of what was wrong something she did not wish to share with me, preferring I believe she was fine. But she had walked to Cotacachi that morning with Carla to visit the hospital hoping to have some tests. Her way was blocked, they would not let her enter the hospital and so she had to walk back home with no answers. I was worried about her.

Alone with Marina, her mother and Vincente, her father, we had a light breakfast, mostly in silence, and then Marina invited me for a walk. She wanted to show me her property, something she had a great deal of pride for, and I felt honored this was something she wished to share with me.

It was a lovely warm morning, and so nice to have a walk with this gracious woman. I was imagining these fields in a years time full of greenery, the corn at last reaching maturity. I explained how short our growing season was by comparison, having maybe 4 good months from planting to harvest; and that’s a good year. Having your food grow year round, it must be difficult to imagine, how we live in the great white north.

On her property is another house where her son Carlos, his wife Anita, and son Carlos Jr. live. It is a lovely home, bright and cheerful – lots of color, just the way I like it.

We wondered back to the house, Jenny had returned by this time and I was happy to see her. Strange to realize that in only 2 days, you can miss terribly the company of someone you just met. Her smile and happy nature though were something to look forward to. While she ate her breakfast, I sat in the small living room, entertained by Tigre, their cat who had become quite attached to me over the last few days. She was on my lap drifting in and out of sleep, attracted to the movement of the white tip on Mali’s tail. I did take a short video of the playful Tigre but it won’t imbed on this site, so a photo will have to be enough for your imagination…..

I took advantage of the time when Jenny left to do something else and began to wash the dishes, something she did not want me to do, I was a guest. When Marina came into the kitchen and saw me, she came over to hug me and thank me. I had tears in my eyes. For me, washing the dishes for them was such a small gesture, but it was obviously appreciated. Then because today was a day to make bread as we had finished the last of it the previous night at tea time, I joined them in the cookhouse to watch the procedure, and then took over for Marina, so she could attend to other things. Marina had bought some bread from the local store, for our breakfast this morning, a flatbread of sorts, but she was not impressed with it, and so Mali was the lucky winner, receiving generous donations from her. Their traditional bread is not like ours, and I am sorry I did not take pictures of the process, but it was nice to participate.

After lunch I was invited to watch the news with them. Of course I could not understand what was being said, but I watched in any case attempting to understand the complexity of the situation. I found myself alone in the room watching the tv, everyone gone to do other things. I watched for a bit longer, then decided I would rather not hear anymore. I sat in the living room watching through the window the goings on and began to think. Seeing the passionate people on the news program, I started to wonder how anything I had to say would be of value. Suddenly the impact of how small my voice is, hit me and I thought perhaps once more, I had nothing to contribute. As these thoughts circled in my mind, I looked up to see Sapphire flying towards me. I had only seen him once since leaving Apuela one week ago, and that was the day before I left Cotacachi. On that afternoon, I had been thinking about how I could leave, what I would have to do in order to be free of Kayanna and Louis. In those moments, Sapphire flew over me circled around me once and was gone – I knew something was about to happen, but when……To see him again today as these thoughts popped into my head, I understood this was not the way for me to think, I must be strong in my convictions, as these people have shown me they are. I decided I wanted to be outside with everyone else. There was a potential fight happening between 2 men, their dispute unknown to me, but they had been drinking and as it is everywhere in the world, this can often lead to such disagreements. Their argument held everyone’s attention, broken up by some concerned bystanders or perhaps they were relatives.

About an hour after Sapphire flew into my day, while we were captivated by this display of emotions, a truck pulled up in front of the blockade and some people got out. They were going to Intag, Apuela, but would they be allowed to pass? No one had been allowed to pass while I had been staying there, so it seemed not. While I could not understand the conversation from so far away Marina did. She knew they would be allowed to pass and after a few minutes she decided to go down to the street and see if they would take me. I ran down to my bedroom to pack my things and change just in case they said yes. As I was doing this members of the family came rushing in to help me pack because, yes they would take me, we must be quick, they wanted to leave.

As I walked out onto the street everyone was watching with smiles on their faces as I made my way to the truck. They were also laughing at Carlos, Jenny’s brother because he had grabbed my backpack and was pretending to be leaving as well, waving and saying his good-byes. They made it a small celebration, my exit, The distraction making it easier for me. Mali got lost in the crowd and it took a moment to get her back to me, but there were many in the crowd calling her for me, helping me. The driver of the truck said “No dogs” and walked away, but as he turned his back, everyone helped me get her into the truck, their understanding of her value to me not a question in their minds.

Although it was a gift to be going home, I was also so sad because Jenny was not there for me to say good-bye to, nor did I have a chance to say a proper thank you and good-bye to the rest of the family, it happened so quickly. The truck made a very jerky start and I had trouble keeping on my feet, but everyone helped, passing my belongings from one to the other until Mali and I were settled at the front of the truck bed where there was another gringo sitting with his partner.

We made many stops along the way, each time there were negotiations to be made for our ability to pass. This truck was filled with people who had been at the protests in Quito, and I am sure this is why they had been allowed through. It was getting dark as we made our way through the mountains, so I looked up to watch the clouds and then to my delight saw the moon and the stars. It was so beautiful, this journey so amazing start to finish. As I sat there I felt once more as though I was sitting beside myself, the sensation of being in a dream. I was reminded of those times I spent with my father as we talked through my Dreamtime, and I was sure I could feel him beside me, hear him whispering in my ear. The beauty of this experience will never be forgotten, the reality of being part of this special time, such a gift.

I began to understand, in order for me to truly appreciate my own story, first I must experience such a journey, which in some ways was similar to what my father had seen in his time. I felt a strength grow in me as I realized, no one would ever be allowed to treat me as Louis and Kayanna had, ever again. I would no longer be that frightened small girl who believed she did not deserve kindness or love in her life. In this way, whether I have cause to go further with my story or not, I have reached the top of a very difficult mountain, I have attained a most important goal – self respect!!

By the end of the journey home, everyone had wanted to know Mali’s name, they were, I think, impressed with this dog who travelled with me, who had such good manners, and obviously loved her master. My love for her apparent as well as we sat quietly travelling through the mountains. I was dropped off at the gate to the hacienda, 3 very happy dogs waiting to see me. I wonder, had they believed I had abandoned them and would not return? Scrappy first chased the truck which dropped me off before greeting me properly. Chiripa waited patiently outside my door, sitting there just watching for a signal it was ok to enter. Scott did not wait, but sat in front of me and when I stopped to look at him he pressed his head against my leg and whimpered. I crouched down to give him the time he needed. Chiripa then came in, and finally Scrappy.

There was a comfort in seeing my room, knowing I had a safe journey, and at last being able to communicate with those who were left wondering what happened. As I looked at my phone, there it was – a message from Jenny, sad she had missed seeing me off, explaining I was welcome in their home anytime. I missed the beauty of where I live here in the Intag Valley while away; I will miss the beauty of the family that rescued me, embraced me and accepted the stranger and her companion in their home.

Yes I am truly blessed………