I Got Robbed!!!

Just when I thought I had nothing to write about….. I got robbed!

Friday evening while walking home from work, only a block from the office, someone grabbed my purse. I tried to fight him, but I fell over and he pulled hard until my purse straps finally broke. Off he ran with my purse, jumped onto the back of a mototaxi, containing two other guys and they drove off.

People had told me to be careful; that the guys in mototaxis and on motorcycles rob pedestrians, and I had wondered how they did it. I envisioned it as something difficult, trying to drive and grab someone’s bag at the same time. I hadn’t realized that they worked in groups. Well, now I know.

Of course I immediately called home to make sure my visa was cancelled and report my bag stolen. Then it was off to the local police station. I was accompanied by, Hugo, a co-worker. While sitting in the police station I knew that the tears I had shed earlier would be the last tears for this incident. They have taken my stuff, but they will not take any more of my time. Scum that rob people are not worth it. So to make light of the situation I mentioned that I could use a stiff drink, just to relax. Hugo pipes up, “I have a bottle of whisky in the car! Do you want some whisky?” Who on earth carries a bottle of whisky in their car, I thought. But the timing couldn’t be better so it didn’t matter. After completing the report the officer told me that I could return on Saturday for a copy of the report and a whisky if I needed it. Haha! I took Hugo up on his offer and joined him and some other co-workers who were celebrating the birthday of a friend. We listened to two guitarists, and they even played Hotel California for me. A song I absolutely love. All in all, it wasn’t my worst experience ever, and as it went by quickly it is easy to forget…..

Ill Away from Home…….

Being away from home can be hard sometimes, even for a frequent traveler such as myself. It’s especially hard when you are ill. Last week I got ill…I toughed it out for the first few days, but it finally got to me. I was lying in bed with painful stomach cramps, unable to move. Fortunately, one of the ladies of the house came to check up on me. She was concerned because I hadn’t left my room all day. At first she thought I had a hangover, and couldn’t understand why my head didn’t hurt, only my stomach. I explained to her that I had nothing to drink but water. Then she knew what it was….I must have eaten something funky. She brought me tea and some food, which I tried to eat. I felt a little better. “Anything you need, just let me know,” she said. It’s nice when a stranger does something kind for you knowing you are all alone.

Later that evening I became brave and went out to a restaurant for soup. Well, three spoonfuls later and my stomach was aching again….so much for feeling better.

After taking a few days off work, at the insistence (and good advice) of my boss I went to the doctor. Now, three prescriptions later, I am hoping to start feeling better….

Los Manglares (the Mangroves)

In my first two weeks in Tumbes I was fortunate enough to see the mangroves at el Sanctuario Nacional de Los Manglares de Tumbes (SNLMT), twice. I guess you could say I am a little spoiled.

During my first visit to SNLMT I went with Vicente (my boss) as an interpreter for two American couples who came to visit the mangroves. (I am not sure if my interpreting was done very well, but they were kind and said it was fine.)

We went to the Centre of Interpretation where a guide explained the types of animals, mangroves, etc in SNLMT. After which we had a guided boat tour around the mangroves. Unfortunately we were unable to walk on the island because the water was too low. (The boat was unable to dock.) The water level changes dramatically rising and lowering every six hours, a full cycle taking 12 hours. Upon our return we ate fresh ceviche prepared with shrimp that had been caught earlier that day…..que rico!!!

On my second visit I went fishing with Vicente and some of the people who work at SNLMT. Traveling through the mangroves by boat was picturesque, mangroves on each side of the boat, birds flying along above us, and the ocean ahead, just beyond the two points on the left, Peru and on the right, Ecuador. To take a picture just wouldn’t do it justice, you have to come here to live the experience.

Spending the day fishing at various spots in the area, the group caught many fish, and all different varieties, blowfish, an eel, guitarfish, etc. Well, everyone except me. I enjoy fishing, but I have absolutely no talent at the sport. I did catch something though, and it wasn’t seaweed……it was a crab! Everyone teased me about it. I recall then saying, “poor foreigner came to fish and only caught a crab”. Little did they know that was the highlight of my day. Haha!! Normally, I don’t catch anything!

When it got hot outside we took a dip in the International River, between Ecuador and Peru, it was so refreshing.

In the evening a delicious dinner was prepared for us with some of the fish that had been caught. We even ate the blowfish, which I am told if not prepared properly can kill you because of the poison gland it contains. Well, I am still alive….