The rain just keeps coming, day after day, sometimes all through the night. I continue my morning visits to the river upon waking each day, to hear the river speak. To ignore the power of nature seems to be our biggest downfall as a race, because as we are learning, Mother Nature will have the last word. As I watch the river rage, the color changed from crystal clear to brown, the waves lapping over once exposed giant rocks, I feel there is a voice from the water. It seems it is speaking from every corner of the world, letting us know of it’s displeasure for our carelessness.
Of course this is the rainy season, something which occurs a few times a year here, so you may be laughing at me for my beliefs, but when you live in a way that depends on nature for your survival as so many do here, connected to the earth with their hands and feet, you know what I’m saying has merit. We are all being warned as each disaster follows another – we must change, we must respect that which gives us our lives or we all lose. In the end Mother Nature will win back her right to restore order and balance, as our numbers diminish.
I look forward to my morning ritual, breathing in the fresh morning air, watching the river as it moves, each morning different from the last. Last week there were 3 or 4 big trees which had either been cut or were uprooted from a landslide. The broken tops landing in the river before the rapids grew large enough to wash them away. I was shocked to see what had happened through the night, so much of the river now covered in the foliage of the trees. The landscape had changed.
Covering almost half the river with it’s branches…. 
The cause of this, not visible from where I stood 
This past Sunday while I was trying to fall asleep, I could hear the rapids moving rocks in the river. I had been to the river as darkness was settling in, the trees still lining the bank half in the water. I could not have imagined they would be gone the following morning. It is quite amazing to listen to the sound of such large rocks being moved by water. I was heading to Otavalo the next morning on the early bus, but made my daily visit to the river before leaving. To discover, that at least some of the noise from the night before was actually the big trees being swept down the river was quite a surprise. They were nowhere in sight and I was sorry I did not see such an amazing thing happen. The river had risen enough to carry them over the rocks. The one boulder which reminds me at times of a whales nose, was under the dark water on this morning. That the water had risen enough to flow over it was quite amazing to me.
Branches in the water – one of the trees which was caught on the rock before the water rose enough to carry it over 
rocks visible in front of where Malis drinking is where she would normally be standing to get her drink. The water came right to the top of the bank at one point…. 
Their giant rock was submerged under the rapids last night when I checked the river 
This morning this amazing boulder is once again exposed, the river has receded some. You can also see across to the bank on the opposite side now where someone has stacked firewood from the fallen trees. This stack is not large enough to indicate all trees previously there were cut. However perhaps someone did so in the dark the night before and removed the logs. But there were 2 trees in the middle of the river that must have been swept away….
Walking to town to catch the bus Monday morning I came to a halt as I had to ponder how I would get over the tree covering the road.
Yesterday, I walked to my friend David’s home for a visit which allowed me to see how the river had changed somewhere beyond my place. Mali’s two favorite swimming holes were not there, the water had hidden them. The last time I had passed this part of the road, was my birthday. I had thrown a stick in the river for Mali which at that time did not seem to have changed much. Unfortunately we cannot always see the rivers changes, and it had indeed become more dangerous than it appeared. In a flash, Mali was carried over the bank of rocks. She managed to grab onto one boulder with her front paws as the water turned her, but could not get footing on the slippery surface. Her eyes were as big as saucers, she was very afraid, as was I. Unsure if I could make it to her without being caught in the rapids myself, I hesitated before making my move. Up to my hips in the cold water, I slowly made my way, afraid of slipping myself. I was able to reach her, grab her collar and pull her to safety, much to our connected relief. Today as we walked by, her memory was stirred of that past event, I’m sure, as she only gave it a passing glance. Her regular enthusiasm for chasing a stick definitely not present.
In order to get to David’s property, you use cross the river in a tram car, something with ropes you use to pull yourself across. Pretty amazing actually. I had forgotten you get a free ride half way across the river before you must pull and had my hand on the rope when the car was released. I went flying into the door of the car hitting my shoulder and landing hard on my hip. Once the shock wore off, I of course felt like an idiot, but was grateful it had been my shoulder, not my head which hit the metal door (although perhaps it would have knocked some sense into me). I was reminded of my theory about tripping or falling as a signal my attitude needs some adjustment. This meant a big adjustment was due!!! I understood immediately what needed adjusting as will be part of another story later this week. Our afternoon conversation further highlighted the step of growth I have been standing on of late.
we are right above the river looking up….. 
Looking down the river…. 
Mali checking her very favorite swimming hole, which you can see is not there, our path to the bank covered water…. 
The view from the road as I waked home….. 
Zooming in, I was surprised at how wide the river had become….
The rain was more like mist on my return home, the air very humid and warm, so I took my time and enjoyed every second of my walk. As always, I am so grateful for being here, to walk these roads, be surrounded by such amazing beauty. I thought about my afternoon, the friendship and about a video recently watched regarding this subject. My friend Wally from Maple Creek is frequently sending me inspirational videos and sayings, always with impeccable timing. She has been my rock over the past year, reminding me I am not alone, and she has been my thread to a place I called home for many years. I have decided to share the video as it is so appropriate, relating to thoughts from the past weeks I have been having. I hope you get as much out of it as I did, and hopefully some understanding if you have been facing similar issues.
Thinking as I waked home, I appreciated the gift of talking to those who understand what you say, the value their ability to listen providing the most amazing benefits, like taking an elixir. This ability to listen, can change the way you think about yourself, or your problems, the chance to grow and heal coming from such compassion. Mental illness can be difficult for those who are afflicted by it and those who live with us. Listening is not always easy, finding the right thing to say can also be difficult as I well know. So I walked home with much gratitude in my heart for those friends who I consider my tree roots, they have been few and far between. I realized, I was calm, the anger felt from recent experiences had evaporated as if the rain had washed it away, but knowing it was friendship that changed my day.
The river seemed to be speaking to me, as if it’s anger reflected my own over the past few weeks, growing with each passing day. To find it settled this morning, the water receding, the darkness fading, seemed also to reflect my changes from the previous days adventure. If we listen to nature, we may just find we are hearing the echo of our own voice…..
“Hasta la victoria siempre” (Ever onward to victory) Che Guevara
This has become my new motto, something to repeat until the fears embedded fade from my present thoughts – one more step, one more day……Gabriel