The oldest day of 2013

At this point, most of us have gone through uncountable adventures and misadventures.
However, I wish to use this little time left before we reborn into better human beings (or animals, you never know), to give thanks to all those who made me smile, think, grow, doubt, dance, cry, even dislike things and/or situations, as it is part of my very existence.

For all that, and much more I truly acknowledge, appreciatte and love you all.

May the Gods bring you whatever you believe will make this world a happier one.

Love and surfing

Not a "one of a kind place"

Many months back, surfing the net, reading reviews, searching for pictures, videos and else about the place where my feet stand...The first impression will remain as follows: a whole bunch of jumbled "buildings" with rooms for rent signs everywehere, flocks of humans filling out the untidy streets, the smell of any kind of food stands, and the very loud music pumping from thousand  million speakers: welcome to Montañita!!!

Doing time until I was allowed to enter my room, seated on a restaurant table, forcing my jaw to work as it used to three days ago: a cute waitress, hundreds of people passing by the same place as if they were F-1 pilots, backpackers, surfer wannabes, potheads, too cool guys, couples, some local families...All in all, a grotesque combination of creatures in pursuit of ephemeral happiness...
Haven`t we all purchased ours yet!

I`m out for dinner, and perhaps a drink...

Be good!!

Calmness...

Second day of no physical activity, leaving aside strolling on the beach...As if Maquiavelli himself had planned it, the generous Pacific ocean has been sending out waves all over...
When silence becomes the conqueror, the absence of noise offers an unreal and distinguished touch daydreaming feeling...I had lunch in a gorgeous restaurant on a hill, surrounded by vegetation, all kind of tropical trees, and the rolling waves far beyond. I was alone!
I kind of relish the idea of moving to Montañita, and leave behind this doomed feeling of being stuck in a place where the attraction is...surfing!!
Just two days before we all look back and review our deeds, failures, bitter, bright moments of this almost gone current 2013.
I will do my own recap, and see the whole picture as if it was another character the one who did what I have done.
Sleep tight!
PD: How would you feel if you were told to be alike Puyol??

Day 6: After the storm...

It has been said throughout history, that once you come back from a remarkable travelling experience, the perspective Changes deeply.
Well, good, evil or otherwise, yesterday was one of those days where any imaginable calamity that might happen to someone, indeed, would happen to the one who`s writing...
Short story, my old and beloved mp3, dies out in the morning, and after a marvelous surfing session (3-5 ft groundswell), I went out for the evening session, and with the second warning (wipe out), I decided having a last ride...What a mistake!! Lost consciousness for a few seconds, hit by the board`s rail far from shore and bleeding as a wounded soldier in the battleground...The aftermath, a beautiful cut above my right ear: undetermined amount of days out of surfing.

On the other hand, I met this group of easy-going Argentinian guys with whom I`ve been hanging out.
Someone, with a narrow vision stated that you can`t have everything. Is it that much surfing and getting to share experiences with some other travellers? Really?

Buenas noches from Ayampe.

PD: The beauty of the day: Coca.

Lastly, in Ayampe.

I`ve heard very often, and don`t get me wrong as I have said so too (recently) "It`s better using the buses, cause you get to know the real country"....You know, after another day of experiencing the Ecuadorian buses "real thing", I deeply doubt that I like it: the before mentioned loud Cumbia(whatever) From the bus speakers, the endless stops, needless to say accompanied by the "salesmen" Oh boy!!

Thankfully, being aware that moving from one village to another would take most the light time hours, I had an early farewell surfing session: 2-3 ft, groundswell...By far the best of the day. However, the highlight occurred when my eyes got hooked on a big black vulture having breakfast on the shoreline...Their ability to find food without making the slightest effort really admires me.
Do you happen to know anyone with alike characteristics? I guess I can call some...

Some food for thought: How smart it is ordering a burrito in a bar run by Argentinians in Ecuador?

Be Around!

PS: I promise telling an anecdote of someone that seems to be taken out of "Little Britain".

Canoa, Ecuador day 3

Today has been mostly dedicated to surfing: over four hours, split into three sessions. In between, more fish, and rice and patacones!!!
As a curiosity, being a Bank holiday in the country, the beach got crowded with locals as the day went by...Sort of a traffic chaos in the beach "road", loud music and a whole of tomahawk haircut style...Whatever!!!
For some parts, this day reminded me of those reminded of those ones in Tamarindo (Costa Rica)...
The highlight of the trip, way and beyond, has been witnessing seated on the surfboard how the sun set majestically over the Pacific ocean, simply unbeatable...
Have a good night!

In the middle of the world: Ecuador

Good evening,
Here I find myself, Xmas eve in a remote coastal village in the Spondylus route, Canoa.
Before I dive into details, my best wishes to everyone of you all.
Although, once again, I am travelling by myself, that doesn`t mean I am alone. Actually, I had my special and unique Xmas dinner: Hawaiian burguer and home fries in a beach bar, with the most exclusive company of a street dog!!
Well, to speak the truth, after throwing a couple of fries, the "blessed"doggie seemed to be listening to me, but a while later lost interest by the time some sliced onions did not appeal him...

Back to the very beginning, as the memory stretches out, the reasons for such a destiny were kind of unclear, which shouldn`t modify at all the purposes: openness to whatever might across the way, and surfing.
Lads, I guess I gotta leave it here for now...
Stay tuned!
Love & surfing!

Final impressions on Baja California Sur

I haven't said all I've seen, and I haven't remembered all I've experienced....

Love and surfing!

PS: See ya around the blue planet!

The "fake gringo" tales

Long ago, in my college years, I learnt about the importance to give credit to researchers and those who had discovered new lands and so on...Well, in our case, I have no other option rather than acknowledge and "thank" to Josh for giving me the "fake gringo" nickname.

Although, it is not the first time that the looks lead to funny situations, on this occasion, it would be one more twist...

To start off, probably due to the places we visited, quite a few ex-pats seemed to be in possession of many properties, giving them the "right"to speak only in English (that reminds of those residents in Costa del Sol, that after many years barely speak a word in Cervantes language).

Roaming around Cabo San Lucas streets: "Massage, massage" No thanks a million!; anywhere, 'hello my friend", with that tone that gave themselves away the only interest of selling you whatever stuff they had in store; and the one that I'll never forget: after driving for more than two hours on dirt roads (trust me, those were really what the words mean), turning at some point after a post for San José del Cabo, holes on the paved road, probably even worse than the dirt ones. Eventually, I met with a couple of car driving in the opposite direction, which kind of surprised, not much time would pass before finding out why...Down the hill, a chain closing the road down, and one local man as the guardian:
-"Hola, buenas tardes"

The guy moves his head with that universal message, "Wrong way""This is a private road"
-"Disculpe, es la primera vez que paso por aquí, y simplemente seguí la señal que indicaba hacia San José"
The guy looked at me sort bewildered, what is this gringo saying in Spanish. He tried me several times, by asking  questions, to test  language level...Needless to say, he asked me for a "propina" 
-¿Cuánto?¿Veinte pesos?
-Sí, eso está bien
 Ready to go to the boot of my car (sorry Jeff for using this British word again...) to grab a couple of  ten pesos coins, he asked again "¿Vas a San José o a California?
-"Como ya le dije, voy a San José"
He lifted the metal chain, "Váyase"
For once in the trip, using my mother language helped in spite of the appearance...

Journey to Eastern Cape (BCS)

Sun already in his majestic pose, a quick look at the ocean, needless to say, Neptune will be sending some more precious blue and white presents...
Car loaded with all the required equipment: board, sunscreen, towel, drinking water ( yes guys, down here you better watch out for this) and the desire of exploring the most remote and isolated area of Los Cabos.
Lying ahead, one hour and half of different maintained level of dirt roads. The landscape, arid, dry, hostile to humans, but arguably beautiful in its own and unique way.
Driving myself focused on the bumpy and treacherous road, a couple of radio stations make some company. The topics vary from some medical treatments, to some businesses oriented to entertain the hordes of tourist in this piece of land (mostly the neighbours across the Río Grande), and some uninteristing issues.
Along the journey, many of the native fauna came out to greet me: blue neck lizards, everywhere,  as if they were guards taking notes of the "alien visitors"; vultures, patrolling the bright blue sky. And at this point, I have to share an image that mesmerized me and pulled the imagination trigger: a large vulture posing on top of a massive cactus, waiting, as in old Western film, for a merciless and ruthless sun to accomplish its job: make you bend your knees to the dusty ground and pray...
Desert hares, hopping carelessly; a dingo type wild dog; and  a decent size snake. On the ocean side, a whole bunch of crabs run back and forth playfully; and my beloved pelicans in its coast guards rol,  patrolling all over...
In regards to the landscape, rugged coast, combining secluded and entirely human free beaches. And the colours!! That wise saying: "a picture is worth thousand words" Wasn`t it like that?
The propeller, once again, the endless search for  wave. And speaking about the devil, I should start narrating my adventures (more often than not misadventures) but we`ll leave that for another occasion, raincheck!! (that reminds me that I`m still waiting for the one I had been promised).

Have a good night!!

Baja California Sur

It`s been a little while since last time I put some of  my travelling experiences and thoughts all together. As time seems to be precious and priceless, I  will no longer keep you out of this magical trip am in.
Again, 14 days, each of them different in regards to expectations, actions and moods.
So far, half way through, my best friends and fellow travelers back in the Sunshine State ( you`re missed and loved guys). We had shared quite a few tacos,some tequilas and tons of unforgettable  memories alongside good laughs (The Arch boat, the pretty visitors, the extremely mellow and laid back Guy from Flora del Mar and many others...)
Desertic and, apparently, barren lands, a mighty Pacific Ocean and huge cacti as the background for this new chapter.
Senses back to life: spicy tastes;salty lips after another amazing surfing session in Los Cerritos; the awareness of sharing the same air and dirt roads with living creatures (spiders, "cucas", mice, pellicans, sea lions, unknown different types of fish...)
Perhaps tomorrow, or the following one, I`ll get deep in details and particular stories.
In the meantime, be yourselves as any other way will lead to soulless and empty paths...
Love and surfing.

Late in the evening racing to the streets...

Whilst skating every night has become an extension of myself, I came up with the idea of filming it.
I am pretty sure, you'll forgive my lack of professionalism, as my will is as good yours.

Needless to say, it all obeys to a non existent plan (less thinking more feeling!)  that I proudly share with you all...I'm on plane, I can't complain!

Come as you are

Have a good night!

St. Patrick's Day in the Sunshine State

Orange, white and green, these make the colours of the Irish flag, waving through palm trees with tons of Green people drinking and cheering to honour whatever they want to...

As I said once, the Captain is a rough player, and you just can't play him as a nobody. Unexpected gatherings, lost in the middle of that mankind, some looks, laughter,  a few more drinks, desires and a deep unsettling sleep...

There is this Irishman walking out from a pub...No, really!

Apparently, everything in its right place...

A couple of overwhelming thoughts dictating what to do...Should I check the beach again? Obviously, I had to, longskate, the bridge,some music, quite a few hardcore surfers hanging around, empty mighty waves closing out with no mercy...Nobody is out there, and the wind blows insanely...And quite sharky too!!!

No surfing regardless of Erika, and no cup of tea in the eve..What a Sunday!!

Good night!

And the wind keeps on blowing...

Sometimes, there is great need for saying something to someone. In other occasions, nothing is left to be said. Whatever the case may be, the sense of loosing floats around, however, the silver grin remains.

Good night.