We really have been lucky weather wise. I don’t do well in extreme heat which is normal for this area. It has been most pleasant and Manta, Ecuador was no exception. My first impression of the landscape of Ecuador was that it was dying. Brush, trees and plants were that dirty grey brown that denotes dying vegetation. I have included a photo of an interesting tree with this dying look. Our guide explained that everything was very much alive and as soon as the monsoons came it would turn green within no time.

I have also included a photo of a little house. You will notice that the second floor is not complete. Apparently, the Ecuadorians can start their houses and if they don’t have the money to complete the house they can wait until they do have the needed cash. In Turkey I saw a similar situation but in that country it was because the government decided to put additional taxes on a house with an additional story.

The people here like in Costa Rica are exceptionally nice. I don’t buy a lot for myself while I am traveling but I found so much I wanted in Ecuador I had to borrow $5.00 to complete my purchases. I now sport a woman’s panama hat and a necklace and earring set made of their vegetable Ivory. The vegetable ivory is made from a palm tree and they make wonderful things with it.

One of the photos I am including is of a coca cola truck. I am trying to set forth here some of the sights that interested me. Not a travelogue. First, the photos take time to download and at $.40 a minute you don’t want to waste time on their wireless system.