Lastly...Mar del Plata!

A trip, regardless of the destination and companionship,  remains in the memory, for good or evil, as if it had been written in stone.

As to now, after dinner in a restaurant in the most reknown commercial street in Mar del Plata, I feel satisfied.

The mindset ready to tackle the pavement: some running in the morning!

In the previous days just right before arriving to Mar del Plata,  I had been treated as a king by some friends that I met in Montañita (it seems years have gone by since then): great food, wonderful sightseeing around Tandil, real interesting conversations, drinking mate...All my gratitude to everyone for those remarkable times.

After two days of endless roaming and walking around the "city by the sea", the fact of having an ocean, makes a huge difference: crowds of people running by the promenade, some others surfing, coffee shops
packed with fancy marplatenses...

Definitely, a place in which oneself would fit without hesitation.

My bife de chorizo is about to be served on the table, therefore just wishing you a lovely night.

Be good!

PS: Saint John`s night, enjoy the celebrations!

A continent, two hemispheres, and four countries

June 7, seated at one of those ever busy  Miami International airport gate lounges: diverse and unique creatures with one feature in common, getting away from one place to another. Reasons? As many as you may, and destinations? As twice as imagined.
On this occasion, flying all the way down South to Chile; a little while later  the second crossing of the Andes, to visit Argentina.

Fours week past that, heading back North, and even further, as the two last destinations complete, somehow, the "Olde Four Corners Challenge" .
Pretty exciting and intense, sort of a geographical and emotional rollercoaster throughout the longest continent on the Blue planet...

Fellas, be good!!

Senseless images for everyone

 For the records, the "Herald" will,  in short, announce it...


<style>.ig-b- { display: inline-block; }
.ig-b- img { visibility: hidden; }
.ig-b-:hover { background-position: 0 -60px; } .ig-b-:active { background-position: 0 -120px; }
.ig-b-v-24 { width: 137px; height: 24px; background: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-sprite-24.png) no-repeat 0 0; }
@media only screen and (-webkit-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min--moz-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (-o-min-device-pixel-ratio: 2 / 1), only screen and (min-device-pixel-ratio: 2), only screen and (min-resolution: 192dpi), only screen and (min-resolution: 2dppx) {
.ig-b-v-24 { background-image: url(//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-sprite-24@2x.png); background-size: 160px 178px; } }</style>
<a href="http://instagram.com/noorabor?ref=badge" class="ig-b- ig-b-v-24"><img src="//badges.instagram.com/static/images/ig-badge-view-24.png" alt="Instagram" /></a>

Chamomile tea, melon berrie smoothie, Gatorade and water...

On vacation times, chances are that there is more free thinking involved. What I mean to say, not only if I have huevos rancheros or Salvadoreño breakfast, but, actually, trace plans for the future.
I seldom come to a conclusion, but I have learnt a lesson:if you have doubts about a place or people, it is because there must be something hidden behind the cover.

A matter of great importance when it comes to "grade" a trip, is the social aspect. On this occasion, staying in
a lodge called "La Tortuga Surf Lodge", meeting other surfers would not be unthinkable.
Obviously, this has been the case, with the mostly typical topic: surfing conditions, surfing destinations, surfing happenings...I know, very narrow minded!!
Observing the characters around the village, it is not too risky consider this place as not a very special one.
Seven days seemed to be, given some circunstances,  stretched out more than what I had desired.

Reading the newspapers served me to reinforce prevoius thoughts. It is not worth of looking back.

Lastly, my brief summary about this trip: sunsets very kind on the eye, fabulous surfing conditions...The rest must be  ignored, and eventually, forgotten.

Remember the Olde rules!!!

Back in the water!

Thankfully, after two days feeling like an insect, I`ve gathered strenght enough to paddle again...
Needless to say, the happiest times in a long period.
Slightly windy, only 4-5 feet, and barely fifteen people on the break point!!!
If I was ever going to have a chance, it would be this. Weak body, unsettled mind, tiresome paddling, everything forgotten after riding a beautiful  blue lefty...Uncomparable with anything.

Not much to add besides a warning: beware of those sharing the path with...

Sleep tight!

Some random pictures...

El Salvador, day 4

Sweet!
All I had written, erased!! You know what? I am not going to retype it.
Supposedly, I am recovered from my illness since I can eat with no major issues.
Regardless of the tide, the waves keep on pumping as a dreamt desire.
I wish some of my best friends were here to share this with them.
Although surfing is an individual sport (way beyond I`d say), seeing your buddies cruising or falling from a wave adds an immense meaning to it.
Switching to the human landscape, a bunch of lads coming from "Western" or developed countries, mixing with locals of darker skin coinciding in such a bubble...
The visit to different Mayan ruins and remains added the "cultural" touch. Tazumal, Joya de Ceren and San Andres alongside a majestic view of a lake (formerly a volcano) as the route highlights.
If you are interested in getting more info about these sites, don`t wait for me to tell you so! Use the net!!
Enough is enough!
Have a good night.

Going where???

A few weeks back, with the usual stress at work, a colourful window opened up to spark my day. Spring break, where to go: somewhere in the US (California, Seattle...), the Caribbean, Central America?
Searching on the net: too expensive, no waves there, endless flight connections....
Lastly, a very unexpected destination: El Salvador!!!!
The tiniest country in the area, with a reputation of being an unsecure place, and fantastic waves.
After four days in El Tunco beach,
many thoughts and impressions gath around my dizzy head.

The most remarkable one, a few minutes pass the sunset, the ocean became an orange-pinkish canvas with a "cavalier" riding it effortless as if was meant to be just that way...

I am near a delirium, and that is a powerful reason to put a temporary end to this story.

Have a good night folks!!

Bye Ecuador!!

Here I find myself in the comfortable couch of my apt. I feel happy to be back, no, I am not that lunatic wishing to start working again!!!  I just can't help feeling Lake Worth as my place (hiding, recovery, healing one...)


Another experience to recall when the time rolls on...Vivid and intense images and sensations: sand, salt, sea, sun, sweat, and some other s's...

I do not want to leave without mentioning to all those who became part of the trip, either physical or spiritually. I deeply know, you do not need to be called out, but you're aware who you are...The Tandil lads, I had a whale of a time with you guys. I just hope one day our paths will cross again, and some"C'mon, yeah and cinta de capitán"  may be refreshed in a different setting with new stories and characters.

I would recommend you to visit Ecuador, regardless of the reasons, just come and enjoy, among others, for those exquisite patacones, chifles, bolones and the endless possibilities of cooking bloody plátanos!!!!

All the best!!

See ya somewhere sometime!!

The youngest day...

Speechless...

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!!