Day 14

In my wanderings this year I have taken more chances and had more wild adventures than ever before. And what a magnificent country I have seen. The beauty of this country is becoming part of me. I feel more detached from life and somehow gentler…I have some good friends here, but no one who really understands why I am here or what I do. I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always I want to live more intensely and richly. I have been thinking more and more that I shall always be a lone wanderer of the wilderness. God, how the trail lures me. You cannot comprehend its resistless fascination for me. After all the lone trail is the best…I’ll never stop wandering.

-Everett Ruess

Saturday morning arrived and it was our last day to complete the roof. At the rate we started I did not think we would finish but by noon we laid the last roof top. Afterwards I went to the airport and said goodbye to all my new Texas friends and Mika who was going back to Quito. As they departed I knew I was on my own once again. The only people I knew were those at Wilson’s house which were Alfonso, Domingo, and Wilson’s wife Maribel. Domingo and Maribel spoke absolutely no English and Alfonso’s English was equivalent to maybe a 3 year old. He knew all the basic words to hold a conversation but most the time we had to use gestures to explain what we meant. Maribel made us lunch which was chicken and rice and afterwards to show my appreciation I washed the dishes. They got mad at me and said I was their guest but I still did them anyway. When we finished Alfonso and I went for a walk in the woods.

We eventually found a lookout spot on the island as well as one of Alfonso’s friends from school, Jose. Jose knew very little English as well but was able to show us a great scuba diving area.

I dove in with some goggles and was blown away. Thousands of fish surrounded me. All were different colors and different sizes. The most amazing part was they did not feel threatened in anyway as I floated weightless in the water. You could stick your arms out and out of curiosity they would brace up against you. For the 20 minutes I was under the water I was able to see 3 sting rays, a sea turtle, and thousands of different fish. My mind can not even begin to handle that there is so much beauty under the sea that we will never see. When we finished swimming with the fish the sun began to set over the island as we sat on top of the city and watched.

When we got back to the house Maribel made us another chicken and rice dinner. As I ate, it was nearly impossible to keep the flies from landing on my food and when I got to towards the bottom of my rice, tiny ants surrounded the plate. After doing the dishes again, I went to lie in my bed which is just a mattress on the floor with one blanket and a pillow and started thinking that maybe I should’ve stayed at the hotel for a few more nights. As soon as I thought that, a cockroach scurried across the floor and instead of crushing it with my foot I watched it and thought this is how these people live everyday. I felt so selfish that I was worried about having to spend a few extra bucks at a hotel. This was an answer to prayer, for God needed me to see this. I never realized how blessed I was.

(From left to right: Carlos, Olmedo, Me, Pastor RW, Maribel, Maribel's girl, Joe, Dwayne, David, Lee, John, Dave, Bill, Alfonso, Tanya, Tanya's girl, Phil, and Domingo)

Day 13

Money can be very interesting if you really think about it. It controls so many people’s lives. Why do we work? Well we need to in order to support ourselves and our family, right? I watch these animals on these islands and it basically comes down to survival of the fittest. There is no such thing as money to them. And I just can’t imagine our society without money. It would be complete chaos and anarchy. I don’t see how these animals seem so content but we put so much time and surround our lives around money. We spend our entire lives studying to make good grades, so we can get into a well educated college, so that we can get that well paying job so we can save up for our 401K so we will then have all the freedom to do whatever we want when were 65. At least that’s the way society wants us to believe that’s the way it work.

I woke up this morning thinking about how much money I’ve spent on this trip and knowing I haven’t made a penny being away from work for the past 3 weeks. I got to the construction site and could not stop thinking about the fact that I had already rang up nearly a $150 bill at my hotel and I still had 5 more days to pay for. I still worked just as hard today and even learned to lay roofing and how to weld, but I still could not get money off my mind.

We worked until the sun set and afterwards I said a prayer asking God to handle all my worries and problems on my mind. I asked God to take control. Trying to fix my own problems and do it my way has not got me anywhere this entire trip.

(Rainbow after we finished working)

Before dinner I was asked by Alfonso if I wanted to stay with him these next few nights at Wilson’s house. If I really wanted I could easily get by at a hotel for 5 more nights but I knew it was an answer to my prayer and God was in control so I said yes. We went to dinner at a very nice restaurant and were served 3 different kinds of fish called Galapagos Albacora. When we were finished they brought out Galapagos sushi and this stuff called ceviche. Ceviche is octopus, clam, oyster, shrimp and some other stuff mixed together.

(Ceviche)

This was the best meal I’ve had this entire trip. The next big surprise was when one of the guys from Texas recognized one of the workers at the restaurant. I guess chances are pretty slim when you run into someone you know on some of the most secluded islands in the world. Chances must be so rare that you’ll do crazy things like give an entire group a free meal. I knew right at that point Gods answer to me was, “Relax Daniel. Just Relax.”

Day 12

Today I slept in. And by sleep in I mean I did not get up till 7:30. I made my way to breakfast and was caught by surprise when Wilson told me he was leaving. He said an emergency came up and he had to leave for a week to another island in 30 minutes. I figured if I’ve made it this far I can make it on this little island by myself too. I hugged Wilson and told him thanks for everything.

Around 8:30 it was just me and the Texas boys. We took a van to the northern part of the island where there is hardly any civilization. The roads brought back memories of the jungle with all the potholes. About 45 minutes we finally reached a place this is famous for having giant turtles. My shoe almost realized these turtles don’t just have big shells when I came just inches from stepping in an enormous chunk of turtle poo.

After that we went to a beach that was so secluded there were only two other people there besides us. They were two surfer dudes that must have been locals because they obviously had come to the perfect place. These waves were some of the biggest I’ve ever seen.

After playing in the waves like a little kid for 2 hours we went to get lunch. Out of this entire trip this was the biggest disappointment. For $10 I expected something so wild and bizarre being in the middle of nowhere. Nope, just more chicken and rice. But there was one thing here that was worth $10 alone. The coffee. I’m not even a big coffee guy but there is something about Galapagos brewed coffee that goes down so smooth. I’m not sure if it was the coffee or what, but for some reason I began to open up with these Texas guys. We talked about baseball and football (NFL and college…not high school). And there was one thing that brought us together real close…farts. CD Williams said it best, “There is nothing funnier than a fart.”

We laughed so hard with each other I pretty much forgot about that stereotype I had about them. So after lunch we found this old tree house that was built a good 30 feet off the ground with a lookout over the whole city. Like everything else I had to try the beer here. They only have one beer and it’s called Pilsener. I was not impressed. It was basically water in a can with a slight bit of hops added. So unlike the coffee, the cerveza is nothing special here. But what is special and surprising is that I’m actually starting to get along with these Texas guys.

(Sliding down the emergency exit)

Day 11

On my way downstairs I was expecting the same thing again for breakfast; bread, eggs, and juice. In the Galapagos it’s different. We still had our bread, eggs, and juice but we were also loaded up with fruits. We had bananas, cantaloupes, avocados, watermelons, and my favorite, mandarins. There is just something about the fruit here that makes it so delicious.

I was then taken to another construction site when I was introduced to 9 other gringos. These 9 men travel around the world and help build churches for missionaries. Their project in the Galapagos was to build the roof structure for this church in 5 days. Normally I’d be thrilled to see other gringos here but these guys were from the only place in the U.S. I despise. Texas.

(After completing all the purlins and starting on the roof cover)

Honestly, there is not one good thing to come out of Texas. They think they are bigger and better than everyone else and they think the Dallas Cowboys are America’s team. These 9 guys were no different. All their stories involved fishing, hunting and who had the best truck. Over the years I’ve noticed bring born in Kentucky is tough. You basically have to decide whose side you’re on, north or south. I’m without a doubt on the north. There is not a bit of southern pride in me. I would rather be stuck in a 2 foot blizzard over a hot and sweaty Brooks and Dunn concert. My Friday nights consist of going to a bar and seeing a rock band, not going to tailgate at my old high school’s football game.

(Lady from Texas)

Anyways sorry to get off on a tangent but I had this stereotype of these guys right away so I pretty much kept to myself all day. That was until a younger Ecuadorian named Alfonso introduced himself to me. I noticed his English was slow but we just had this way of connecting right away. Alfonso likes the same kind of music, plays the drums, and is in his second semester of college. He’s originally from Santa Cruz Island, which is part of the Galapagos but he came over to San Cristobal to do school and work a little construction. I worked with him and two other Ecuadorians, Juan and Jimmy, for about 10 hours mixing cement and laying rocks. I worked harder today than a weeks worth of work back home and didn’t get paid a penny. As I was walking back to my hotel I began to think how nice that shower and bed would feel. That was until Alfonso caught me and asked if I wanted to hang out. I tried to think of an excuse but had nothing so I said okay.

(Me and Alfonso)

He took me to a beach and as soon as we got there the sun began to set over the clouds. Words can not describe the beauty there. My body filled with chills when the wind blew against my warm burnt skin. I tucked my toes into the soft white sand and gazed out across the pure blue water and thought to myself if this isn’t paradise, I don’t see how much better it could get. My body had gone numb and all my worries were gone. At that moment I knew it was Gods hands that lead me here. He has provided me foot and a place to sleep this entire trip. All He asked from me in return is to serve Him. Knowing my work today was for Him gave me a sense of ease and joy that any amount of money could never give. Tomorrow is our off day that we get to explore the island.

P.S. By the way I got my passport back today.

Day 10

I was taken to the Cuenca airport around 8am. It was just me and Eduardo on this cold Tuesday morning. Before he dropped me off he told me a man named Wilson Botista would be picking me up at the San Cristobal airport. I asked what he looked like and he said he is a short Ecuadorian that drives a Harley moped. When we arrived to the Cuenca airport he gave me Wilson’s number and said a prayer for me. I hugged him and thanked him for all he had blessed me with.
(Overview of Ecuador)

I arrived in Guayaquil in about 45 minutes. I had about an hour and a half layover before my next flight. Around 11:15am, my second flight took off for Island San Cristobal in the Galapagos. I landed in the Galapagos around 1pm on Denver’s time. As soon as we landed our bags were checked at the airport. My stomach dropped instantly when they asked for the payment to get on the island. It was $100 for US citizens and I had only $63 in cash. I knew it cost to get on the island I just thought I had more cash then that. The lady took my passport and told me to come back tomorrow when I had the money.

My palms began to sweat knowing that I just gave my passport to a lady who doesn’t even speak English. My knees then began to tremble when I walked out of the airport and saw about 40 different short Ecuadorians. Walking around frantically, I just hoped to here someone call out my name in the crowd.

50 minutes went by and the airport began to close down for the day. Everyone had left except 3 workers at the airport bar. For the first time in my life I felt completely alone. Without a phone, without a passport, and without knowing anyone on the island except a guy named Wilson who I don’t even know what he looks like.

Finally when one of the workers was walking to his car I noticed he had a cell phone. I motioned to see if I could use his phone. I called the number Eduardo had given me and was answered by a Spanish accent on the other line.

“Hola,” he answered.

“Hey Wilson this is Daniel,” I spurted out.

“Who?”

“Daniel, I’m Eduardo’s friend.”

“Ohhhhhh”

“Hey I’m at the airport!”

After that he responded with a long Spanish sentence and then hung up.

I wasn’t sure what to do so I sat down on the curb and waited. Sure enough 5 minutes later a little Ecuadorian pulled up on a little Harley moped and shouted “Daniel!”

I got up and ran over to him and gave him a big hug. It was such a relief. He began apologizing for being late but I acted cool like it was no big deal. He explained how he speaks very little English and I explained how I spoke very little Spanish. He motioned for me to hop on the back of his moped. Without knowing what to say since we both spoke different languages it was a quiet ride. With a 6 foot gringo riding on the back of a 5’4” Ecuadorians Harley moped made it quite an awkward ride.

(Wilson and his Harley Dayton Moped)

I realized how nice Wilson was when he took me to his place and made me a ham sandwich and gave me some Oreos. While I was sitting there stuffing myself an Ecuadorian girl in the house asked where I was from. With 2 Oreos in my mouth I muffled out, “The States.”

She replied, “I figured that out but what state?”

I almost choked and responded, “You speak English…like actually good English!”

(Mika and Me)

She laughed and explained how she was going to school for English and then asked if I wanted to go for a walk. She introduced herself as Mikasha but said I could call her Mika. Her English wasn’t that great but I was so excited just to have someone I could actually talk to so we walked for about a mile down to the pier. The pier was beautiful and filled with iguanas, turtles, and sea lions.

(We share a lot in common...)

As soon as we walked back Wilson said he would have breakfast ready at 6am, so I went straight to bed when the sun set. It was a long day.

(San Cristobal)

Day 9

I got out of my cozy bed at 6:45am and was quickly waken when I laid my foot on the tile floor. Chills shot up my legs and sent goose bumps straight to my arms. I skipped over to the shower and turned the hot water to full power. That’s when I first realized they don’t get hot water in the mountains.

Cuenca is an interesting town. One hour the sun will be beaming down on your face then an hour later its nothing but dark clouds and cold rain. This was a cold and rainy morning. To brighten our depressing morning Eduardo and his wife, Amaina, treated me and Ray to some breakfast before we made our way into town.

We arrived at the TV station around 8:00am just in time for the morning show. After the show I met the production manager who has lived in the states and speaks very fluent English. He put me to work instantly and I began to work on editing some graphics for a later show.

(Eduardo outside of Unsion T.V.)

Time flew by until lunch when I decided to walk around town by myself for a while. I took in the beauty of this city. Just knowing that most these streets and buildings have been around for over 500 years is marvelous.

After doing my usual wandering Eduardo told me he found a ticket to the Galapagos but it leaves tomorrow. We literally ran over to the airline place just before they closed and bought my ticket for $420.

(Random UK jacket in the middle of a South American market)

At the end of the night I parted ways with Ray and Amaina telling them it was such a pleasure to meet them. Ray shook my hand and said to me, “God’s got something big planned for you Daniel.”

My flight leaves at 9am so I’m gonna get some sleep and hopefully get rid of this cold.

Day 8 (Part 2)

About 3 hours later I parted ways with the missionaries and was left with two guys named Ray, Eduardo, and his wife Amaina. You know that feeling when you break up with that significant other and you don’t really care about meeting anyone else, well that’s exactly how this felt. We went to a place for lunch where they literally lay out a pig (hornero) and you pick off the meat from it and eat it.

(Hornero)

I loved it!

And then Eduardo said I had to try this stuff called Rosera. It’s a real special drink you can only get in this town.

(Rosera) I loved it!

After that we got some chocolate covered bananas and went for a walk in an old park.

(Very old covered bridge in park)

(Very old wall in the park)

Ray, who is from Branson, Missouri, was down visiting Eduardo and Amaina for the week. We were able to connect quickly. The two of us sat down on a bench and told each other our life stories. My story was nothing compared to his, which consisted of flying all over the world, retiring 3 times, and now helping manage part of Unsion T.V. I did not open up to Eduardo and Amaina much today because their English was not too good being from Cuenca. But I knew if I was going to be staying with them for the next few nights I was going to get to know them real well.

(Park in Cuenca, Ecuador)