Life is weird without PC rules, restrictions and babysitting. I am living in Tabuga, working with Ceiba and going through the normal ups and downs of living abroad in a 3rd world country, and this time it´s by choice. I face the same frustrations and the same positives of the simple life but, I embrace that I had the choice to stay or go, three weeks in, I know I made the right decision. Plus, I have my first ever business cards to prove I am here for a reason.
Yesterday I was almost red in the face due to the lack of communication and transportation in and around Tabuga. Simple things like phone calls and visiting a neighbor became physical and mental feats. Then, after getting Ceiba work done in Pedernales, I got to Tabuga. I saw my bamboo house and was greeted by AJ babysitting our 5 year old neighbor, watching a bad copy of the little mermaid in Spanish and working in the house. I made a traditional Ecuadorian lunch and ate homemade (by me) pumpkin soup and relaxed. Then, AJ, Jason and I decided that the house would be more open and feel bigger if we took out one of the walls. There is no better way to get rid of stress than taking down a wall. As we hammered out the cross bars and threw the pieces of bamboo out the front door, I could feel the frustrations melt off me.
Now, the house really does feel more bright, open and friendly. There is more space for Gito, the puppy and with the recent addition of Waldo, the space is welcome. Waldo, who was just named this morning when we couldn´t find hime yet again, is a new kitten. Get it... Where´s Waldo? Two days ago, a little bug eyed kid showed up with Waldo at our doorstep saying that his mom had picked out the cat just for me (it´s eyes are blue like AJs) and that the other neighbor was going to throw it in the ocean. I couldn´t say no and AJ, being the good sport he is, agreed to keep the kitten. We are hoping that it helps with the ´birds´ that are living in our palm leaf roof. AJ is trying to convince himself, and me, that the pitter patter on the roof is really just the sounds of birds flying back and forth into the roof when, we all really know, the rats have found me again. For now, we just have to deal with Gito being the jealous older brother. He is constantly trying to fit all of Waldo in his mouth and eating all of Waldo´s food. As a 25 year old, dealing with the older brother and baby sibing relationship between the dog and cat is a bit overwhelming. It leaves me confused and amazed by the 15 and 16 year old mothers in Tabuga.
The fiestas of Tabuga were amazing, as usual. This year Carmen was replaced by AJ, Jason, Kara (the new PC volunteer), her friends and friends of mine from Canoa. The chicken getting it´s head cut off by a blind-folded teenager was replaced by cock-fighting and I got to represent Ceiba as their project coordinator. Not to mention the crazy tall blue-eyed white guy running around with a camera. Make sure to check out AJ´s blog for awesome pics from the fiestas.
All in all, Tabuga Take III hasn´t been very eventful. It´s been peaceful and happy and everything I would imagine it to be. The only curve ball has been little Waldo. Oh, and AJ and I became godparents together. I even tried to say no, but the son´s dad is the president of Tabuga and has been a solid factor in my success and happiness in Tabuga. Check out Alejandro, our little sailor below. After 2.5 years of life in Tabuga, I am proud to say I have it down. The choice to live and work here longer has proven a good one and life continues as normal, normal in this situation clearly being a relative term.
