The program of NILI (Nazarene International Language Institute) is designed to blend language study and immersion with ministry and cultural/travel opportunities. Following final presentations and papers, the program of 3 ½ months concludes with a four- day cruise/tour of the Galapagos Islands for all the students.
The Galapagos Islands are part of Ecuador, but lie some 600 miles west of the coast of South America in the Pacific. Of course, they were made famous by Charles Darwin’s research back in the 1800s that contributed greatly to his signature work, Origin of the Species. Many of the animals and birds found in the Galapagos are only found there. “Endemic” is the word our guide often used to describe this phenomenon. I was so proud that I could answer his query, “What does ‘endemic’ mean?”…I tried to appear nonchalant.
I found it amazing to be so close (as in right next to) to wild animals that seemed quite comfortable in our presence. They acted as though we belonged there, not fleeing nor being aggressive towards us. Thankfully, there are strict rules about respecting distance, not initiating touch or contact with them, staying on the trails, etc. One day a sea lion swaggered across the sandy beach and “whisker-kissed” my leg. That was within the rules because she initiated the contact. Another day, Darlene lied down on the beach next to (within 2-3’) of a mom and two sea lion pups. Again, that was okay, because she respected their space and did not touch them or try to bait them into contact. So there they were, 4 bathing beauties enjoying the tropical sun on a white sand beach.
We sailed aboard the Yolita II, a cruiser whose cabins sleep 16 passengers. To do the complete tour, it takes up to 7 or 8 days, so our tour concentrated only on the southern groupings of islands. We missed seeing the volcanic hotspot on the islands to the west and north, but seeing as much as we did was a real treat.
Our crew of eight was born and raised in the Galapagos, Their Spanish was very rapid, and I needed a bit more clarity in their enunciation to be able to catch their interchanges. Thankfully, our guide, Washington spoke English distinctly enough to make possible the learning of all the fascinating creatures, plants and the Galapagos’ history.
In short, we sailed, hiked (more like nature walks) and snorkeled for most of four days. The bird life featured frigate birds that have a red balloon-like sack on their chest that, when inflated, looks to be a balloon about to burst, the wave albatross with their animated love dance, and the famous blue -footed booby. By looking at their sky-blue webbed feet , it’s readily apparent how they got the first part of their name, but I haven’t a clue as to the last part. I also want to mention the iguanas: marine iguanas, land iguanas, red, green, black iguanas, iguanas that are unique to these Pacific isles. Oh, I’d be remiss if I did not acknowledge the 100+ year old giant Galapagos turtles, in whose honor the islands are named. We saw several mature adults that reminded me of the size of miniature Volkswagen Beetles.
The snorkeling was our favorite part, as it was as though we entered another world.
I can’t begin to describe the vast assortment of fish we encountered. Sometimes, it reminded us of scenes from “Finding Nemo” or “The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. “ The treat for us was to swim in very close proximity to sea lions, sea turtles, rays, and even a few sharks. You could get very close to the sea lions and sea turtles…..the rays and sharks were a bit more elusive. That brings me to a point of reflection.
On an early morning snorkel experience, our guide was hoping to take us to a point near some rocks called the Devil’s Crown for a chance to see eagle rays, golden rays, and white-tipped reef sharks. Swimming in the presence of sharks has never been on my personal “Bucket List”, in part because I’ve always figured I’d likely kick the bucket in such an encounter, never to complete the adventures on my list. Washington, though, was excited about the possibility of shark sightings. I had mixed feelings, but we were “in” for the adventure.
We took a dinghy out to the spot and jumped in. As the bubbles cleared, we found ourselves in what seemed to be a immense aquarium with thousands of fish of various species, of a myriad of shapes, colors and sizes. The variety of types and colors were extensive. Each time we’d jump out of the dinghy into a new area for the first time, I would have a few moments of uneasiness. I think Darlene did as well. We were quickly aware that this under -the -sea world is a very big, deep and blue world of its own, and I would feel pretty vulnerable. Even with wet suits, the water was a bit cool, reminding me of my limitations. What’s behind me? What’s beneath me, beyond the scope of my vision? But, our guide said it’s going to be great, so I’d try to relax and not worry about the things I could and could not yet see.
On the “day of the shark”, I found myself trying to stay pretty close to where Washington, our guide was, more so than ever before. I think the word “shark” was the reason for this motivation. For some reason, being close to the guide who had assured us of a great adventure with minimal risk was important to me. Earlier, we had a couple of students who encountered the sting of jellyfish, so we were all now wearing wetsuits for added protection. We had encountered “reality in sea-life”, and my wariness of jellyfish stings and now, the prospect of shark attacks (in my imagination) created a slight degree of hesitation and wariness in me.
Washington wore a weighted belt that allowed him to dive down 30-40’ below the surface. Suddenly, he dove, and we watched from the surface as he approached a rock ledge or shelf near the ocean floor. He started moving his arms and flippered feet around and soon out came 4 sharks that had been sleeping under the ledge, hidden from our view directly above. They looked to be between 4-5’ in length, big enough to be beyond the “cute little fellas” type of description.
For the next several minutes we watched in wonder (and with a bit of wariness) as the sharks swam around directly beneath us. We were sitting ducks, so to speak, or maybe “bobbing sea lion lookalikes” in our wetsuits would be a more appropriate word picture. At night, our guide said, these sharks feed and can be “aggressive”. I hoped they weren’t waking up on the wrong side of the bed given that their slumber had been abruptly cut short by our arrival. Nearby, Darlene would tap my shoulder and point toward sharks or rays that were in the neighborhood.
I started thinking about how I would have never been there to witness such beauty had I not trusted the knowledge, assurance and presence of our guide, Washington. I would have stayed in the boat, if one of our group members had said, “Follow me, I know where we can swim with sharks.” “No, thanks,” I would have replied, “I like having four limbs for their intended use.” But, this invitation for adventure did not come from one of us novices, but from a guide with 18 years experience. Our trusted guide delivered as promised. I felt free to explore, wander and wonder at what we were experiencing.
In those moments I began thinking about the Lord as our Guide. It was natural to think of how my life takes on more of a tone of “adventure” when I trust God to be my Guide. I find myself more willing and eager to “go places” in all aspects of life when I follow His lead, His leading, and take Him at His word. Seeking to stick close to Christ as our guide can lead us out into waters that are unknown, containing elements of both risk and adventure. He knows the environment that we enter, and how to guide us to make the most of the opportunities. I thought of how His Word, His Life directs, liberates, and also alerts us to potential dangers within and without. The promise of His Presence enlivens and emboldens us to “move a position” and explore, to go on adventures with and for Him.
There are, of course, times when the adventure leads into waters that are quite deep, with shadows of unknown origin or nature. But, life will bring such times to us all, whether we stay “in the boat”, or if we’ve chosen to “get out of the boat” and explore, embarking on an adventure. What lurks under the ledge, or in the deep blue of what lies in front of us? I’m hoping to have my trust in a loving Guide develop to where I can trust Him when I find myself in those waters that are deeper and that hold more “unknown” than I had bargained for. I want to live life with Him as an adventure. That’s one of my hopes and prayers.
So, that was my devotional thought from our “under the sea” experience that day.
Well, there is much more to write about, such as the lizard that can “eject” or release it’s tail when a bird swoops in, attempting to pick up some fast food. The bird then goes for the tail and the lizard, unattached, escapes to safety under a nearby rock. Fascinating. But this is enough for now. It was an honor and privilege to have the privilege to witness the genius of the Creator as evidenced in the Galapagos.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
I was "schooled"
When I was a boy, growing up in Indiana, the options for sports were baseball,football and basketball. Soccer was nowhere to be found on the youth sports horizon in the old days. I can only recall attempting to play soccer in the front yard of my childhood buddy, Ricky Wambach. We had no idea what we were doing, but it was fun kicking the ball around. That's about all I can say about my soccer career.
During my years at SNU, I watched a lot of soccer, and began to gain an appreciation of the sport. It took years before I could understand why "off sides" is "off sides". Then, Kaylee played soccer at BHS for a couple of years, and watching the Lady Bronchos helped my understanding of the game.
This past Sunday, I entered a new world. I became a futbol player...at least for a day. After the a.m. church service, I was invited to play in the "game of the week" featuring teams from 2 churches. Remembering all of the "not so holy" moments in my church softball experience (others' "moments", not mine, of course) I hesitated as I pondered the passion with which Latin American players play the game. But, they insisted that I'd do okay, so I became goal keeper for the San Francisco (a barrio here in Quito) Church of the Nazarene. I wondered if my being placed at goal keeper was the equivalent of being placed in right field in baseball/softball as a kid. Time would tell, and it did.
The members of the other team seemed younger than my comrades. They all wore yellow jerseys, with "Pilsener" emblazoned on it. I don't believe that was the name of their church. They were thin and wiry. One of my teammates commented...."they look skinny, but they are tough." He was correct on both accounts.
I lasted at goal for awhile. I actually saved the first shot on goal that I faced. My teammates cheered. My dear wife smiled as she snapped a photo of her "man". Then, my fortunes changed. Before I knew it, two shots on goal had eluded my defense, and I was being moved out of my position and became a defender.
I actually did pretty well at defender, if I do say so myself. I thwarted several attempts to get around me. I actually kicked the ball with my left foot, and it went about 30 yards. Maybe it was more like 20-25 yards. At least I kicked it to a teammate!
Then, in the second half, I must have lost my concentration. Somehow, my guy got around me, and he scored....on two occasions. I'm not sure how it happened. I had him "marked" pretty well. The only problem was we had been tied with them, and those 2 goals put the game out of reach. None of my teammates mentioned anything to me about when the next game is scheduled. They did include me in the team photo at the conclusion of the contest. That was nice of them, allowing the gringo in the photo shoot.
So, I was "schooled", "taken to school" in futbol. It was humbling, but I"m hopeful, because I think they see potential in me. One of the seminary students told me he wanted to give me gift, a soccer jersey from his favorite team, Barcelona. I thought Barcelona was in Spain, because I visited a town by that name in 1998. Maybe they moved the city, because he tells me Barcelona is an Ecuadoran team. Well, I love the jersey, but haven't figured out when to wear it. In bold print on the front of the jersey it reads, "Pilsener", and above it, "Cerveza". Be that as it may, I think they believe I've "got game".
During my years at SNU, I watched a lot of soccer, and began to gain an appreciation of the sport. It took years before I could understand why "off sides" is "off sides". Then, Kaylee played soccer at BHS for a couple of years, and watching the Lady Bronchos helped my understanding of the game.
This past Sunday, I entered a new world. I became a futbol player...at least for a day. After the a.m. church service, I was invited to play in the "game of the week" featuring teams from 2 churches. Remembering all of the "not so holy" moments in my church softball experience (others' "moments", not mine, of course) I hesitated as I pondered the passion with which Latin American players play the game. But, they insisted that I'd do okay, so I became goal keeper for the San Francisco (a barrio here in Quito) Church of the Nazarene. I wondered if my being placed at goal keeper was the equivalent of being placed in right field in baseball/softball as a kid. Time would tell, and it did.
The members of the other team seemed younger than my comrades. They all wore yellow jerseys, with "Pilsener" emblazoned on it. I don't believe that was the name of their church. They were thin and wiry. One of my teammates commented...."they look skinny, but they are tough." He was correct on both accounts.
I lasted at goal for awhile. I actually saved the first shot on goal that I faced. My teammates cheered. My dear wife smiled as she snapped a photo of her "man". Then, my fortunes changed. Before I knew it, two shots on goal had eluded my defense, and I was being moved out of my position and became a defender.
I actually did pretty well at defender, if I do say so myself. I thwarted several attempts to get around me. I actually kicked the ball with my left foot, and it went about 30 yards. Maybe it was more like 20-25 yards. At least I kicked it to a teammate!
Then, in the second half, I must have lost my concentration. Somehow, my guy got around me, and he scored....on two occasions. I'm not sure how it happened. I had him "marked" pretty well. The only problem was we had been tied with them, and those 2 goals put the game out of reach. None of my teammates mentioned anything to me about when the next game is scheduled. They did include me in the team photo at the conclusion of the contest. That was nice of them, allowing the gringo in the photo shoot.
So, I was "schooled", "taken to school" in futbol. It was humbling, but I"m hopeful, because I think they see potential in me. One of the seminary students told me he wanted to give me gift, a soccer jersey from his favorite team, Barcelona. I thought Barcelona was in Spain, because I visited a town by that name in 1998. Maybe they moved the city, because he tells me Barcelona is an Ecuadoran team. Well, I love the jersey, but haven't figured out when to wear it. In bold print on the front of the jersey it reads, "Pilsener", and above it, "Cerveza". Be that as it may, I think they believe I've "got game".
Friday, 16 April 2010
Cheep, Cheep, Cheep
Most of the blog entries are lengthy, but this morning I want to note one thing. We are usually up and at 'em before 6 a.m....this a.m. after fixing coffee pot for students and staff, I walked down the "hill" to look at the wide variety of flowers here on the seminary grounds, and also to keep an eye out for any birds of interest. I know this may sound boring, but there is quite a variety of both flowers/plants and birds here.
Hummingbirds have a call or song that's more like a squeak....a "cheep cheep" sound, at least some we've seen here. As I was walking up the hill by the mission office, I heard that sound. I stopped and waited, because the little fellas or ladies, as the case may be are, at times, difficult to spot.
Above me, and just down the hillside sat a hummingbird on a branch. This was one of the varieties with 2 long tail feathers. I'd say the bird's body might be 2" in length, and the tail feathers are about 6" in length. We looked at each other for a good bit, then as he/she (identity issues, here) flew away the two long tail feathers spread out and had a 'bowlegged' arc to them. Quite a sight.
Before I jump back into working on a paper, I just wanted to make note of this 'sighting'. Cheep-cheep thrills in Ecuador.
Hummingbirds have a call or song that's more like a squeak....a "cheep cheep" sound, at least some we've seen here. As I was walking up the hill by the mission office, I heard that sound. I stopped and waited, because the little fellas or ladies, as the case may be are, at times, difficult to spot.
Above me, and just down the hillside sat a hummingbird on a branch. This was one of the varieties with 2 long tail feathers. I'd say the bird's body might be 2" in length, and the tail feathers are about 6" in length. We looked at each other for a good bit, then as he/she (identity issues, here) flew away the two long tail feathers spread out and had a 'bowlegged' arc to them. Quite a sight.
Before I jump back into working on a paper, I just wanted to make note of this 'sighting'. Cheep-cheep thrills in Ecuador.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Our "Not So Jolly" Trolley Ride
It really happened. Much like we had been told it might. I was the victim of a pick-pocket theft today. My wallet was lifted from my front pants pocket as we rode in a jam, slam packed street car/trolley downtown to the area known as Colonial Quito...buildings, churches from the spanish colonial era beginning in the 1500s to the early 1800s. Beautiful area. Such history.
Here's the scoop on the theft. We have been warned aplenty about the potential for theft at certain times, in certain areas. There are basically 4 methods of transport available to us.
1. Ride in the "Sprinter", a transport of the NILI program for official trips, etc.
2. Take a taxi.
3. Ride the bus.
4. Take a trolley. this means taking a taxi or bus to the trolley station, then changing.
All the NILI students headed to see sights outside of Quito this weekend. We opted to stay here and visit some Quito sights we wanted to see, or wanted to see again as the case may be. We've been traveling quite a bit and also studying quite a bit, so staying close and having a relaxing Saturday seemed good to us.
We opted to head for colonial Quito via a bus/trolley combo. We've never taken the trolley before. It's a bit quicker and is cheaper (25 cents) than other modes. We noticed as the trolley went along the crowds inside increased as we went deeper toward the downtown area.
We first wanted to stop at Parque Ejido, which is in/near the more modern part of Quito downtown....On Saturdays they have an artist's market there...it's a lovely, large park. We had a very enjoyable stroll through the park, and Darlene found some souvenir gifts to her liking. We went by a bank and got out some $, went back to the park. I gave a good portion of the $ to Dar.
Then we debated whether to just take a taxi the rest of the way to colonial quito (about a 10-15 minute ride) or get back on the trolley. We decided on the trolley, even though it seemed extremely crowded.
As we were waiting for the trolley, we met a young man from Quito who was wearing an OU Sooners cap. His name was Juan and he had studied as an exchange student in Mineral Wells, TX. I asked him about the cap, and he said that even though he'd been in Texas, there was a friend there from Oklahoma who gave him the cap. It was good to see another Texan see the light.
A trolley pulled up and it was packed to the brim. We squeezed in but had just made it inside the doorway when the doors squeezed shut behind us. We had ridden in crowded buses, but nothing like this....it was like a swarm of people, and a lot of pushing, squeezing, and burrowing whenever the doors opened. We could not move away from the door area, which was unfortunate, because that kept us in position where someone could make a quick escape upon stealing from us.
I had read an article in the paper a few weeks ago about theft problems on the trolley system. I always carry my billfold in my front pocket. I had a backpack today, but that would not have been a good place for my wallet...easy to hit and run. I thought I was prepared. We had not had even one threatening experience.
At the stop prior to the one near colonial Quito, there was an immense crush of people entering and exiting the trolley. People often just jam in, not waiting for people to exit. The result is pushing, burrowing, twisting. I was trying to make sure Darlene's hand didn't get pinched/smashed by the opening door. I was holding on to my backpack with one hand and a rail with another to try to brace myself as people pushed and twisted me around as they said their "con permisos", all the while plowing into us.
I suddenly felt a "vacancy" in my front pocket. As I turned to check, the last of the passengers exiting had left along with about 20 others. I felt my pants and knew that the wallet had been taken, as I had felt an absence that was noticeable.
The door was closing as I thought about whether to give chase...but which one to chase?
I had no idea, the sea of people ebbed and flowed together. I just told Darlene that I thought my wallet had been stolen.
Thankfully, I had given a good portion of our cash to Darlene. I think I lost about $40, plus my debit card. Also they had my Ecuadoran ID card, which is kind of an important document, so I'll need to revisit that process pronto, as I need that if I am stopped by police, as well as for when we go to the Galapagos. It could have been much worse, so we are thankful. But I was angry, feeling like a victim who had no recourse. If it had been $100, I'd have felt more sick, and also angry, and if it had been $5, I'd still have felt angry. It's the principle of the thing. For a moment, in my mind I looked at all the trolley riders and saw them all as though they were thieves (spanish: ladron)
Well, we got out of there before reaching our destination. We stopped to have some pizza and think things through. Then we headed for a phone/internet store where I made an international call to cancel our debit card. We then felt a little more relaxed, and toured some exquisitely designed churches with a lot of gold leaf overlay. It was relaxing to sit in the cathedrals/churches and reflect quietly. I wondered if the thief might show up for confession.
Then we made 2 police reports, as I know they are trying to track where most of the thefts have occurred.
We then met Kimberly Haddon, the assistant director of our program for dinner. We ate at an old restaurant that has rooftop dining, where you can see the lights of Quito on the surrounding hillsides, and the beautifully lit old churches and the Basilica. It was gorgeous. Then it began to rain. So, that plan was modified to a inside window seat with a view.
We had an interesting tour with a self-appointed historical guide, who agreed to a 30 minute tour ($1) of some neighborhoods we'd not seen before. One was La Rondo, which is the oldest neighborhood in Quito....some 500 years old. The streets are very narrow, flags hanging on the side of the buildings. Then we ended up at a church that is about 400 years old. He led us inside.....right into a wedding. He told us that we could take photos as though we'd been invited. As the wedding party departed, our "guide", Juan took us up to the front altar, where a family was having their baby baptized by the priest. It was almost as though we were part of the family, but our guide vouched for how appropriate it was us to be in there for these occasions. I felt like we were in a scene from Forest Gump....like we didn't quite fit. When the tour was over, he whined about the $1.50 I gave him, then whined when I gave him 2 dollars. He now wanted $5. I gave him 50 more cents. He wanted $3. When I showed him my empty pocket and told him of the experience with the thief earlier today, he wanted to know how much was stolen. I told him......for some reason, he just turned and left.
Well, that's enough for now. One of the policemen told me that I should put my money and ID cards in my sock. Other people we met, when told why we were downtown, warned us of thieves. It seemed to us that everywhere we turned that was the message: Watch out for thieves." I thought I had done just that. Oh, well.
Here's the scoop on the theft. We have been warned aplenty about the potential for theft at certain times, in certain areas. There are basically 4 methods of transport available to us.
1. Ride in the "Sprinter", a transport of the NILI program for official trips, etc.
2. Take a taxi.
3. Ride the bus.
4. Take a trolley. this means taking a taxi or bus to the trolley station, then changing.
All the NILI students headed to see sights outside of Quito this weekend. We opted to stay here and visit some Quito sights we wanted to see, or wanted to see again as the case may be. We've been traveling quite a bit and also studying quite a bit, so staying close and having a relaxing Saturday seemed good to us.
We opted to head for colonial Quito via a bus/trolley combo. We've never taken the trolley before. It's a bit quicker and is cheaper (25 cents) than other modes. We noticed as the trolley went along the crowds inside increased as we went deeper toward the downtown area.
We first wanted to stop at Parque Ejido, which is in/near the more modern part of Quito downtown....On Saturdays they have an artist's market there...it's a lovely, large park. We had a very enjoyable stroll through the park, and Darlene found some souvenir gifts to her liking. We went by a bank and got out some $, went back to the park. I gave a good portion of the $ to Dar.
Then we debated whether to just take a taxi the rest of the way to colonial quito (about a 10-15 minute ride) or get back on the trolley. We decided on the trolley, even though it seemed extremely crowded.
As we were waiting for the trolley, we met a young man from Quito who was wearing an OU Sooners cap. His name was Juan and he had studied as an exchange student in Mineral Wells, TX. I asked him about the cap, and he said that even though he'd been in Texas, there was a friend there from Oklahoma who gave him the cap. It was good to see another Texan see the light.
A trolley pulled up and it was packed to the brim. We squeezed in but had just made it inside the doorway when the doors squeezed shut behind us. We had ridden in crowded buses, but nothing like this....it was like a swarm of people, and a lot of pushing, squeezing, and burrowing whenever the doors opened. We could not move away from the door area, which was unfortunate, because that kept us in position where someone could make a quick escape upon stealing from us.
I had read an article in the paper a few weeks ago about theft problems on the trolley system. I always carry my billfold in my front pocket. I had a backpack today, but that would not have been a good place for my wallet...easy to hit and run. I thought I was prepared. We had not had even one threatening experience.
At the stop prior to the one near colonial Quito, there was an immense crush of people entering and exiting the trolley. People often just jam in, not waiting for people to exit. The result is pushing, burrowing, twisting. I was trying to make sure Darlene's hand didn't get pinched/smashed by the opening door. I was holding on to my backpack with one hand and a rail with another to try to brace myself as people pushed and twisted me around as they said their "con permisos", all the while plowing into us.
I suddenly felt a "vacancy" in my front pocket. As I turned to check, the last of the passengers exiting had left along with about 20 others. I felt my pants and knew that the wallet had been taken, as I had felt an absence that was noticeable.
The door was closing as I thought about whether to give chase...but which one to chase?
I had no idea, the sea of people ebbed and flowed together. I just told Darlene that I thought my wallet had been stolen.
Thankfully, I had given a good portion of our cash to Darlene. I think I lost about $40, plus my debit card. Also they had my Ecuadoran ID card, which is kind of an important document, so I'll need to revisit that process pronto, as I need that if I am stopped by police, as well as for when we go to the Galapagos. It could have been much worse, so we are thankful. But I was angry, feeling like a victim who had no recourse. If it had been $100, I'd have felt more sick, and also angry, and if it had been $5, I'd still have felt angry. It's the principle of the thing. For a moment, in my mind I looked at all the trolley riders and saw them all as though they were thieves (spanish: ladron)
Well, we got out of there before reaching our destination. We stopped to have some pizza and think things through. Then we headed for a phone/internet store where I made an international call to cancel our debit card. We then felt a little more relaxed, and toured some exquisitely designed churches with a lot of gold leaf overlay. It was relaxing to sit in the cathedrals/churches and reflect quietly. I wondered if the thief might show up for confession.
Then we made 2 police reports, as I know they are trying to track where most of the thefts have occurred.
We then met Kimberly Haddon, the assistant director of our program for dinner. We ate at an old restaurant that has rooftop dining, where you can see the lights of Quito on the surrounding hillsides, and the beautifully lit old churches and the Basilica. It was gorgeous. Then it began to rain. So, that plan was modified to a inside window seat with a view.
We had an interesting tour with a self-appointed historical guide, who agreed to a 30 minute tour ($1) of some neighborhoods we'd not seen before. One was La Rondo, which is the oldest neighborhood in Quito....some 500 years old. The streets are very narrow, flags hanging on the side of the buildings. Then we ended up at a church that is about 400 years old. He led us inside.....right into a wedding. He told us that we could take photos as though we'd been invited. As the wedding party departed, our "guide", Juan took us up to the front altar, where a family was having their baby baptized by the priest. It was almost as though we were part of the family, but our guide vouched for how appropriate it was us to be in there for these occasions. I felt like we were in a scene from Forest Gump....like we didn't quite fit. When the tour was over, he whined about the $1.50 I gave him, then whined when I gave him 2 dollars. He now wanted $5. I gave him 50 more cents. He wanted $3. When I showed him my empty pocket and told him of the experience with the thief earlier today, he wanted to know how much was stolen. I told him......for some reason, he just turned and left.
Well, that's enough for now. One of the policemen told me that I should put my money and ID cards in my sock. Other people we met, when told why we were downtown, warned us of thieves. It seemed to us that everywhere we turned that was the message: Watch out for thieves." I thought I had done just that. Oh, well.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Cloud Forest, the Sequel
Actually, before I write about our weekend trip to Mindo, Ecuador, I'd like to make a couple of notes about the Good Friday experiences I wrote about in the most recent entry concerning Holy Week here in Quito. The processional of the cucuruchos (penitents in purple robes with pointy head coverings)left me weary and a bit sad. I've been to Latin America 3-4 times now, and I'm still trying to figure something out. Why the extreme focus of the Roman Catholic church (at least here in Latin America) on the suffering and death of Christ to the neglect of His Resurrection? I can surmise a few things, such as possibly enhanced job security for some, or a high need to control, but overall, it still remains a mystery to me. Another thing I wonder about is how justification by faith, salvation by God's gift of grace seems so absent. "Works" seems to be the order of the day in this culture, when it comes to how many perceive right relationship with God. Of course, in our tradition we often talk about His grace, but often judge others and our own standing with God by a standard of works-righteousness. I know that I need to walk my talk (about salvation by His grace, not by my own merit) more freely and consistently. But, "theological things" seem different here. I've been influenced positively in the faith by writings of several Catholic writers, so I'm trying to figure out the difference here.
Okay, let me see here....oh, our trip to the western slope of the Andes. Mindo, Ecuador was our destination, about a 2-2 1/2 hour bus ride from Quito. To get there involves passing the Mitad del Mundo monument/park. That's the equator. A funny thing is that the climate in that area (only about 10-15 miles from where I sit in our apartment)seems unusual. It's almost high desert-like right around that point here in the Sierras...high and very dry. What's unusual is that soon afterward (as in mere minutes) one enters a cloud forest region of the Andean slopes with a lush forest/jungle like setting.
We went to Mindo, primarily because we'd heard and read that it is in one of those birding "hot spots". That's about all we knew about it, other than it was tauted to be beautiful. It is that, for sure. Our trip was a spur of the moment decision on Saturday. Two other NILI students (Kyle and Jessica) joined us. Because time was short and the bus didn't leave til late Sat afternoon, we opted to splurge a bit and take a taxi. We could leave sooner and get there quicker. This turned out to be a good idea, given the circumstances. $45 for a 2 hour ride for 4 people seemed quite reasonable. The return trip on the bus cost $2.50 per person.
Soon after passing the equator monument, we entered a mountain cloud forest. It began raining, which continued past midnight. We arrived in Mindo about 4 p.m., and checked into a hostel called Jardin de los Párajos (Garden of the Parrots/Birds). It was clean, had hot water (not all hostels who advertise hot H20 actually deliver the goods), offered a 2nd story veranda with hammock, was off the beaten path, had a pool, lots of colorful flowers and hummingbirds, plus a tasty breakfast...all for $13 per person. I bunked in an ample sized 2nd floor room with Kyle, and Darlene with Jessica next door.
We took to the streets (what few there are) of Mindo, to begin to explore what there was to do, and how to go about making arrangements for the next day's activities. We chose to do the following: zipline/rainforest canopy experience, check out a location of multiple variety of hummingbirds, butterflies,and orchids, and take an early morning self-guided exploration looking again for birds of various feather-types. We had a nice $5 steak or chicken dinner, then coffee at a place owned by an Oregonian. He also had a degree from Oregon State, so we had a bunch to talk about when we met. Then we settled in to listen the tropical downpour on our rooftop. Kyle and I, stellar students that we are, studied Spanish homework until falling asleep amid the pounding of heavy rain on the roof. I had trouble falling asleep. I think my former work life kicked in and I began wondering/planning how I could get our group out of this mountainside town, and back to Quito should there be a huge mudslide. Those happen here. Sometimes, I just can't seem to help myself. I came up with no great ideas other than to walk.
We were up at 5:30 (this time I didn't mistakenly wake everyone up at 4:30 as I did on our journey to the eastern slope/cloud forest)and set out for our "bird search" hike. Sunday dawned with clear skies. The hike at dawn was beautiful, complete with mountain and valley vistas. Again, we heard more exotic birds than we saw, but we were rewarded when Darlene spotted a small flock of green/red parrots headed our way. I was thrilled to see them clustered in a tree about 40 yards from us. That was the best of the bird sightings of the early morning, but we enjoyed the sounds of many more than we saw, plus the hike was well worth the early morning rising....a different kind of sunrise service.
Ahhhh, the zip line experience in the cloud forest canopy. The best $10 I've spent in many a day, as far as recreational experiences go. We had 12 separate zip line "flights" or runs/experiences, approaching a total of 2 miles of zip line. We went solo, and some segments were about 150 yds in length, others as much as 1/4 mile in length. Most were "way above" the treetops, though some were zipping along at tree line. We actually spotted a big Toucan (remember Fruit Loops?) about 20' in front of us in the forest. So colorful!! He was yellow around his face/beak area. We were able to opt to ride the zip line upside down, which was a blast. Darlene did that, too! A highlight for me was when, during one of the segments, I looked down in the forest/jungle and could see a waterfall and then my shadow on the canopy of the trees in the dense forest about 100' below me. A fun and reflective experience.
We then visited a spot where there were "scads" of hummingbirds. I've never seen so many varieties of hummingbirds. They say Ecuador is home to about 130 varieties of hummingbirds. We think we counted at least 10 different varieties. One of our favorites had white chest and underneath tail feathers that fanned out white, with blue neck and back. His head was black. Another had a royal purple look, while one of the smallest had a real skinny tail with "poofy" feather-balls and when he perched he looked like he had little white booties for feet. We also got to tour an area where there were a wide variety of butterflies (my father in law would enjoy this place) and orchids.
After trekking back to town, we enjoyed some pizza which was pretty good, then found our way to a business that grows cocoa beans and makes chocolate. There we met another Oregonian, who lived about 8 miles from where we did when we lived there.....so we've met a total of 4 Oregonians in our time here. We had a huge chocolate brownie, made from the beans grown nearby. I've now met several Oregonians, and I'm looking for a fellow Okie. I might have luck over in the oil region of the Amazon basin.
The bus ride home was crowded. Darlene and I were in the back row, while Kyle and Jessica's assigned seats (we bought the last 4 tickets for this trip) were in the very front of the bus. I tend to get claustrophobic, so we had the window open a bit, even though it was a bit chilly. It was again foggy and rainy as we made our way back up the western slope cloud forest of the Ecuadoran Andes, then over the pass and into Quito.....and to homework.
If you'd like to see photos from our experiences at the cucuruchos processional in Holy Week and also of our trip to Mindo, here's the link that you can copy and paste.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=157714&id=753486023
Okay, let me see here....oh, our trip to the western slope of the Andes. Mindo, Ecuador was our destination, about a 2-2 1/2 hour bus ride from Quito. To get there involves passing the Mitad del Mundo monument/park. That's the equator. A funny thing is that the climate in that area (only about 10-15 miles from where I sit in our apartment)seems unusual. It's almost high desert-like right around that point here in the Sierras...high and very dry. What's unusual is that soon afterward (as in mere minutes) one enters a cloud forest region of the Andean slopes with a lush forest/jungle like setting.
We went to Mindo, primarily because we'd heard and read that it is in one of those birding "hot spots". That's about all we knew about it, other than it was tauted to be beautiful. It is that, for sure. Our trip was a spur of the moment decision on Saturday. Two other NILI students (Kyle and Jessica) joined us. Because time was short and the bus didn't leave til late Sat afternoon, we opted to splurge a bit and take a taxi. We could leave sooner and get there quicker. This turned out to be a good idea, given the circumstances. $45 for a 2 hour ride for 4 people seemed quite reasonable. The return trip on the bus cost $2.50 per person.
Soon after passing the equator monument, we entered a mountain cloud forest. It began raining, which continued past midnight. We arrived in Mindo about 4 p.m., and checked into a hostel called Jardin de los Párajos (Garden of the Parrots/Birds). It was clean, had hot water (not all hostels who advertise hot H20 actually deliver the goods), offered a 2nd story veranda with hammock, was off the beaten path, had a pool, lots of colorful flowers and hummingbirds, plus a tasty breakfast...all for $13 per person. I bunked in an ample sized 2nd floor room with Kyle, and Darlene with Jessica next door.
We took to the streets (what few there are) of Mindo, to begin to explore what there was to do, and how to go about making arrangements for the next day's activities. We chose to do the following: zipline/rainforest canopy experience, check out a location of multiple variety of hummingbirds, butterflies,and orchids, and take an early morning self-guided exploration looking again for birds of various feather-types. We had a nice $5 steak or chicken dinner, then coffee at a place owned by an Oregonian. He also had a degree from Oregon State, so we had a bunch to talk about when we met. Then we settled in to listen the tropical downpour on our rooftop. Kyle and I, stellar students that we are, studied Spanish homework until falling asleep amid the pounding of heavy rain on the roof. I had trouble falling asleep. I think my former work life kicked in and I began wondering/planning how I could get our group out of this mountainside town, and back to Quito should there be a huge mudslide. Those happen here. Sometimes, I just can't seem to help myself. I came up with no great ideas other than to walk.
We were up at 5:30 (this time I didn't mistakenly wake everyone up at 4:30 as I did on our journey to the eastern slope/cloud forest)and set out for our "bird search" hike. Sunday dawned with clear skies. The hike at dawn was beautiful, complete with mountain and valley vistas. Again, we heard more exotic birds than we saw, but we were rewarded when Darlene spotted a small flock of green/red parrots headed our way. I was thrilled to see them clustered in a tree about 40 yards from us. That was the best of the bird sightings of the early morning, but we enjoyed the sounds of many more than we saw, plus the hike was well worth the early morning rising....a different kind of sunrise service.
Ahhhh, the zip line experience in the cloud forest canopy. The best $10 I've spent in many a day, as far as recreational experiences go. We had 12 separate zip line "flights" or runs/experiences, approaching a total of 2 miles of zip line. We went solo, and some segments were about 150 yds in length, others as much as 1/4 mile in length. Most were "way above" the treetops, though some were zipping along at tree line. We actually spotted a big Toucan (remember Fruit Loops?) about 20' in front of us in the forest. So colorful!! He was yellow around his face/beak area. We were able to opt to ride the zip line upside down, which was a blast. Darlene did that, too! A highlight for me was when, during one of the segments, I looked down in the forest/jungle and could see a waterfall and then my shadow on the canopy of the trees in the dense forest about 100' below me. A fun and reflective experience.
We then visited a spot where there were "scads" of hummingbirds. I've never seen so many varieties of hummingbirds. They say Ecuador is home to about 130 varieties of hummingbirds. We think we counted at least 10 different varieties. One of our favorites had white chest and underneath tail feathers that fanned out white, with blue neck and back. His head was black. Another had a royal purple look, while one of the smallest had a real skinny tail with "poofy" feather-balls and when he perched he looked like he had little white booties for feet. We also got to tour an area where there were a wide variety of butterflies (my father in law would enjoy this place) and orchids.
After trekking back to town, we enjoyed some pizza which was pretty good, then found our way to a business that grows cocoa beans and makes chocolate. There we met another Oregonian, who lived about 8 miles from where we did when we lived there.....so we've met a total of 4 Oregonians in our time here. We had a huge chocolate brownie, made from the beans grown nearby. I've now met several Oregonians, and I'm looking for a fellow Okie. I might have luck over in the oil region of the Amazon basin.
The bus ride home was crowded. Darlene and I were in the back row, while Kyle and Jessica's assigned seats (we bought the last 4 tickets for this trip) were in the very front of the bus. I tend to get claustrophobic, so we had the window open a bit, even though it was a bit chilly. It was again foggy and rainy as we made our way back up the western slope cloud forest of the Ecuadoran Andes, then over the pass and into Quito.....and to homework.
If you'd like to see photos from our experiences at the cucuruchos processional in Holy Week and also of our trip to Mindo, here's the link that you can copy and paste.
http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=157714&id=753486023
Friday, 2 April 2010
Holy Week in Quito
Just about every week we have an academic or cultural outing where we get to experience and learn various aspects of the culture and history of Ecuador. These are generally very interesting. The last two days certainly have been.
Holy Week or Semana Santa in Ecuador is filled with ceremonies and customs that are new to us. Yesterday, the group spent a couple of hours making a special soup that is traditional Santa Semana cuisine. It's called fanesca. Fanesca is advertised at many restaurants this time of year. It is a soup that features 12 different grains....mostly different beans. The number 12 is significant in that the different grains represent the 12 disciples. (Judas is represented by lentils, Peter by a huge and thick lima looking bean about the size of a quarter that's called "habas". Jesus is represented in the recipe by the presence of fish, which, in the case of our soup, was albacore tuna. It's a pretty rich or dense (as Darlene says) soup. We had fun making it for about 16 people....pretty labor intensive as you have to shell most everything. We roasted peanuts, then took the skin off and blended them with milk...peanut milk to go in the mix.
Now, today is Good Friday...featuring several processionals through different parts of the city. The most famous is the procession of the "cucuruchos", not to be confused with "cucarachas"(cockroaches). There are about 500 people (mostly men) selected to be cucuruchos from many more who apply. It basically is an honor to be chosen to participate in this Catholic tradition on Good Friday. Those chosen go through some educational training throughout much of the year. They are basically doing penance for their sins, and also many of them are seeking a miracle for themselves or for others.
They wear purple robes and pointed hoods that cover their faces....much like the KKK, though thankfully nothing of that sort, in terms of what they represent. Many go without footwear, and the pavement really heats up for them. Here's a sample of what we saw today in "old" colonial Quito, built some 450-500 years ago....
1. Groupings of 25 penitents (so about 20 such groups) accompanied by a Jesus in each group carrying a heavy cross, often trudging along with Roman soldiers. One of the Jesus characters wore a crown of thorns made of actual barbed wire. While other Jesus characters had fake blood, we noticed that his was real.
2. We saw some penitents wearing the head coverings but shirtless, flogging themselves on the back with a shrub/branch of some kind.
3. Every now and then a marcher would have a length of chain dragging behind him, chained to his ankles.
4. There was a penitent who was crawling the entire length of the parade/processional. He wore cardboard sign hanging from his neck that called for people to care for the poor and hungry.
5. There were a good number of children in the processional, most dressed in their own purple or pink robe with pointed hood and face covering. A few were decorated as Roman soldiers....and a couple of 8 year old Jesus characters were outfitted with a size-appropriate cross of their own.
6. Many walked barefooted on hot asphalt. When the parade would stop, many had friends or family who'd run out in the street and slip some paper under the marchers' feet to give them a break from the heat. Some marchers walked the white line in the middle of the street to keep their feet a little cooler.
7. Some of our group (Aaron, Stephanie, Alicia, Kyle, Darlene and I) voted for our choice of Penitent of the Day. We called him Cactus Jack. He was wearing the hood, but his purple shirt was pulled up in the back and strapped directly to his back was a cross about 3' in length with crossbeam of about the same length.....made completely of cactus, with the long needles/spines of both crossbeam and vertical piece embedded in his back.
8. Between the groupings of marching penitents were small marching bands. That's about all I have to say about the marching bands.
9. There were throngs of people lined 3 deep along the narrow streets of Colonial Quito in the equatorial sun at mid day when the processional began at the Church of San Franciso.
10. It was a intensely sunny day here at the equator at 9300 feet. Street vendors were having a big day selling plaid umbrellas. If you only looked at the sea of umbrellas lining the street, it would be natural to assume it was a rainy day.
The local Nazarene church about a mile from the seminary had a Good Friday service from 3-5:30..organized around the last words of Christ on the Cross.
I think that's all I have to say about Good Friday.....except that I like what the theologian Karl Barth responded when asked later in life at what point in life that he was "saved". His reply speaks to me...."one Friday afternoon in A.D. 34." Thanks be to God for His costly Gift.
Holy Week or Semana Santa in Ecuador is filled with ceremonies and customs that are new to us. Yesterday, the group spent a couple of hours making a special soup that is traditional Santa Semana cuisine. It's called fanesca. Fanesca is advertised at many restaurants this time of year. It is a soup that features 12 different grains....mostly different beans. The number 12 is significant in that the different grains represent the 12 disciples. (Judas is represented by lentils, Peter by a huge and thick lima looking bean about the size of a quarter that's called "habas". Jesus is represented in the recipe by the presence of fish, which, in the case of our soup, was albacore tuna. It's a pretty rich or dense (as Darlene says) soup. We had fun making it for about 16 people....pretty labor intensive as you have to shell most everything. We roasted peanuts, then took the skin off and blended them with milk...peanut milk to go in the mix.
Now, today is Good Friday...featuring several processionals through different parts of the city. The most famous is the procession of the "cucuruchos", not to be confused with "cucarachas"(cockroaches). There are about 500 people (mostly men) selected to be cucuruchos from many more who apply. It basically is an honor to be chosen to participate in this Catholic tradition on Good Friday. Those chosen go through some educational training throughout much of the year. They are basically doing penance for their sins, and also many of them are seeking a miracle for themselves or for others.
They wear purple robes and pointed hoods that cover their faces....much like the KKK, though thankfully nothing of that sort, in terms of what they represent. Many go without footwear, and the pavement really heats up for them. Here's a sample of what we saw today in "old" colonial Quito, built some 450-500 years ago....
1. Groupings of 25 penitents (so about 20 such groups) accompanied by a Jesus in each group carrying a heavy cross, often trudging along with Roman soldiers. One of the Jesus characters wore a crown of thorns made of actual barbed wire. While other Jesus characters had fake blood, we noticed that his was real.
2. We saw some penitents wearing the head coverings but shirtless, flogging themselves on the back with a shrub/branch of some kind.
3. Every now and then a marcher would have a length of chain dragging behind him, chained to his ankles.
4. There was a penitent who was crawling the entire length of the parade/processional. He wore cardboard sign hanging from his neck that called for people to care for the poor and hungry.
5. There were a good number of children in the processional, most dressed in their own purple or pink robe with pointed hood and face covering. A few were decorated as Roman soldiers....and a couple of 8 year old Jesus characters were outfitted with a size-appropriate cross of their own.
6. Many walked barefooted on hot asphalt. When the parade would stop, many had friends or family who'd run out in the street and slip some paper under the marchers' feet to give them a break from the heat. Some marchers walked the white line in the middle of the street to keep their feet a little cooler.
7. Some of our group (Aaron, Stephanie, Alicia, Kyle, Darlene and I) voted for our choice of Penitent of the Day. We called him Cactus Jack. He was wearing the hood, but his purple shirt was pulled up in the back and strapped directly to his back was a cross about 3' in length with crossbeam of about the same length.....made completely of cactus, with the long needles/spines of both crossbeam and vertical piece embedded in his back.
8. Between the groupings of marching penitents were small marching bands. That's about all I have to say about the marching bands.
9. There were throngs of people lined 3 deep along the narrow streets of Colonial Quito in the equatorial sun at mid day when the processional began at the Church of San Franciso.
10. It was a intensely sunny day here at the equator at 9300 feet. Street vendors were having a big day selling plaid umbrellas. If you only looked at the sea of umbrellas lining the street, it would be natural to assume it was a rainy day.
The local Nazarene church about a mile from the seminary had a Good Friday service from 3-5:30..organized around the last words of Christ on the Cross.
I think that's all I have to say about Good Friday.....except that I like what the theologian Karl Barth responded when asked later in life at what point in life that he was "saved". His reply speaks to me...."one Friday afternoon in A.D. 34." Thanks be to God for His costly Gift.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Full Moon Rising
I think I'll make note of an unusual and most amusing moment on our recent ministry/service trip to southern Ecuador.
We were traveling south from Riobamba to a town of about 4,ooo people called Alausí (pronounced Al-ow-see) to the site of the first ministry efforts of our week. We came upon an indigenous woman (in the states, we'd say Native American or Indian) walking her cow down the road. Or maybe it was the cow walking her. Either way, the lady was wearing the typical attire of a brilliant colored, knee length gathered skirt, with a red shawl and brown fedora.
As we passed by, some noticed that she had just lost grip on the rope and the calf...I'd guess it was a yearling.... was now trotting down the road in the same direction we were headed. We noticed a worried look on her face as she gave chase. The cow was quickly distancing herself from her owner. We drove ahead of the cow and one of our team leaders, Lucy Silva got out to assist....the cow slowed its pace as it approached Lucy. Just then, 2 of the guys (Kyle and Yoan, a seminary student from Venezuela) jumped out the van and began to give chase to capture the heifer. This of course spooked the cow and away she went....running right past Lucy. The owner looked even more desperate. The boys gave chase, but it was quite a distance before they caught up with Ms. Bovine, or Señorita Vaca. They were able to grab the lead rope and triumphantly returned the cow to the grateful owner, who could only express her gratitude in Quechuan. The young men understood her sentiment, if not her words.
While we were stopped, awaiting the capture and return of the cow, 3 of our young ladies asked if they could find a spot in the bushes to answer nature's call. We had been traveling for a good while with no signs of an approaching town or gas station of any sort. 1 of the girls walked over in a "northerly" route and the other 2 went in a more "southeasterly"direction to find their location of choice behind trees, shrubs, etc.
A few minutes later, we heard some anxious "squealing" or "shrieking", as often occurs when one comes upon a snake unexpectedly. A moment later, a man comes into view, walking from the general area where the 2 young ladies had last been seen. He had a big grin on his face as he passed by our vans and proceeded walking down the road.
He was soon followed by the girls, who told us (with no small amount of emotion) that the spot they had chosen turned out to be just off a well worn path. Just when they had fully "assumed the position", along comes this fellow up the trail, passing within mere feet of their potty station. He passed by just at the most opportune/inopportune moment, depending on his or their perspective. As if that wasn't bad enough, they then turned around and realized that some 100-150 ft below their "station" on what they then realized as being a fully exposed (in more ways than one) hillside bluff, was a little town. A bus was going by beneath and behind them, and there was a group of people, sitting on a front porch of one of the houses facing the hillside. They were drinking coffee, all the while watching 2 full (American) moons appear on the horizon directly in front of them, quite a bit earlier than the normal time for sunset.
After we heard the story in detail, and our laughter subsided, we loaded up in the vans and resumed our journey. Just around the next bend along the mountain highway was a gas station with the long desired facilities. As we passed by, howling with laughter, we soon came upon a road crew doing some repairs. As fortune would have it, there was "the man" waving to us (well, probably it's more accurate to say that he was specifically waving to a couple of our group) wearing that same broad grin.
I have withheld the names of the victims. I will only say that they attend a certain university that is sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene.... located about an hour south of Chicago.
We were traveling south from Riobamba to a town of about 4,ooo people called Alausí (pronounced Al-ow-see) to the site of the first ministry efforts of our week. We came upon an indigenous woman (in the states, we'd say Native American or Indian) walking her cow down the road. Or maybe it was the cow walking her. Either way, the lady was wearing the typical attire of a brilliant colored, knee length gathered skirt, with a red shawl and brown fedora.
As we passed by, some noticed that she had just lost grip on the rope and the calf...I'd guess it was a yearling.... was now trotting down the road in the same direction we were headed. We noticed a worried look on her face as she gave chase. The cow was quickly distancing herself from her owner. We drove ahead of the cow and one of our team leaders, Lucy Silva got out to assist....the cow slowed its pace as it approached Lucy. Just then, 2 of the guys (Kyle and Yoan, a seminary student from Venezuela) jumped out the van and began to give chase to capture the heifer. This of course spooked the cow and away she went....running right past Lucy. The owner looked even more desperate. The boys gave chase, but it was quite a distance before they caught up with Ms. Bovine, or Señorita Vaca. They were able to grab the lead rope and triumphantly returned the cow to the grateful owner, who could only express her gratitude in Quechuan. The young men understood her sentiment, if not her words.
While we were stopped, awaiting the capture and return of the cow, 3 of our young ladies asked if they could find a spot in the bushes to answer nature's call. We had been traveling for a good while with no signs of an approaching town or gas station of any sort. 1 of the girls walked over in a "northerly" route and the other 2 went in a more "southeasterly"direction to find their location of choice behind trees, shrubs, etc.
A few minutes later, we heard some anxious "squealing" or "shrieking", as often occurs when one comes upon a snake unexpectedly. A moment later, a man comes into view, walking from the general area where the 2 young ladies had last been seen. He had a big grin on his face as he passed by our vans and proceeded walking down the road.
He was soon followed by the girls, who told us (with no small amount of emotion) that the spot they had chosen turned out to be just off a well worn path. Just when they had fully "assumed the position", along comes this fellow up the trail, passing within mere feet of their potty station. He passed by just at the most opportune/inopportune moment, depending on his or their perspective. As if that wasn't bad enough, they then turned around and realized that some 100-150 ft below their "station" on what they then realized as being a fully exposed (in more ways than one) hillside bluff, was a little town. A bus was going by beneath and behind them, and there was a group of people, sitting on a front porch of one of the houses facing the hillside. They were drinking coffee, all the while watching 2 full (American) moons appear on the horizon directly in front of them, quite a bit earlier than the normal time for sunset.
After we heard the story in detail, and our laughter subsided, we loaded up in the vans and resumed our journey. Just around the next bend along the mountain highway was a gas station with the long desired facilities. As we passed by, howling with laughter, we soon came upon a road crew doing some repairs. As fortune would have it, there was "the man" waving to us (well, probably it's more accurate to say that he was specifically waving to a couple of our group) wearing that same broad grin.
I have withheld the names of the victims. I will only say that they attend a certain university that is sponsored by the Church of the Nazarene.... located about an hour south of Chicago.
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