Actually, not really a tale, but an understanding of purpose and identity. Salinas (where we currently stay) is the tourist/party town. Nearby La Libertad is the commercial center and just beyond that is Santa Elena, the county seat of government; all three are in the province (similar to county) of Santa Elena. Finally understanding that, we thought it might be wise to catch a better vision for what material resources are not only available but affordable here (verses the tariffs on bringing our own ...)
It was a delightful excursion with our first stop at Tia Sentro ... a cross between dollar tree/grocery store/variety store ~ and worth the whole 30 cent bus fare to get there! The prices are far less than in Salinas, and we were relieved to know that many of the kitchen/dining room items (plastics, basic dishware, etc.) are affordable here verses shipping. Small kitchen appliances ~ we confirmed that we will bring ours :) Another ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL ITEM for ME will be noise-deadening headphones! These folks take music in the stores (and on the streets!) to a WHOLE NEW LEVEL! And I complain about the stores and malls in the States ... however, each venture into the community only increases our love for and desire to come here; it confirms our call.
The grocery selection at Tia's was good and for the most part well priced. Learning what's what is essential ~ praise God Cesar took us shopping on our first day in Salinas or I would have bought yogurt or ready-to-eat oatmeal instead of milk; what a shock that would have been!
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| Milk is on the shelf in boxes or bags. |
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| Yogurt in a plastic jug, like our milk. |
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| Oatmeal, ready to pour and eat, with a variety of flavor choices. |
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| You don't need to understand Spanish to know what these are! |
Maybe it was breaking my foot in Turkey, maybe it is the experience of multiple trips to developing nations, but for the most part I've learned to watch the ground when I walk ~ these are typical examples of why.
The minimal Spanish I've learned has enabled me to ask basic directions, so we were able to wander and find the other shopping area we had been told about. It was fronted by a pleasant community square and several other little business ... one of which was a Colombian bakery that beckoned us. The clerk had a charming smile and graciously worked with my broken Spanish to describe the incredible delicacies in his case. Neal, preferring safety, chose a doughnut. For me there is an assumption that ANYTHING with COCONUT has got to be good.
Neal's doughnut was filled with something similar to dulce de leche and was as incredibly delicious as my choice - a plain shortbread-type cookie filled with dulce de leche and coconut! This is definitely a place to remember!
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| This food-vendor Mama has a helper. |
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| Vendors sell food from kiosks or barrels ... |
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Not sure, but I think he was tired of his Sister ...
Mama had to come and rescue her! |
The streets continue to fascinate us. Libertad, more than Salinas, affords a more typical Ecuadorian shopping experience. Breakfast/lunch/dinner, supplies, gifts and most daily needs can be purchased right on the street. The people are friendly and we feel very safe and at-home. Each day is a new adventure, and each day awaken within us the need to live the love of Jesus Christ among them!
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I've heard guinea pig is a delicacy here ...
don't know enough Spanish yet to know what this is ... |
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| Good to know, just in case. |
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Christmas is in the air, though not as massively
marketed yet as in the States |
Maybe it was breaking my foot in Turkey, maybe it is the experience of multiple trips to developing nations, but for the most part I've learned to watch the ground when I walk ~ these are typical examples of why.
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