A BRAVE NEW WORLD
Jo realizes he has to move on from the merriment at The English Pub.
Really, that is the definition of mediocre! No way. Gotta clear my head right now, man. For the next three days, I sit in my room in detoxification mode. I only drink gallons of water, in which I pour a packet of Spirulina that I brought from home. That’s it. And I meditate, even more than I did before, sometimes three hours a day. Almost a month of debauchery is quite enough. Quito always gets me caught up in this kind of shit, man. Too much time on my hands. Money dwindling rapidly. I don’t want to go home for Christmas. I’m no good when I’m left on my own, that’s when I find myself gravitating towards the dark side. Need to be involved in something. Need to work towards something that has meaning. What’s my next move gonna be? I think back to what made me the most happy in Ecuador… it was when I first got here, volunteering at Rio Muchacho. The camaraderie. Getting my hands in the dirt. Doing my part in things that interested me.
Yeah.
I pull out my guidebook and start flipping through the pages. I know I want to do something like working on an organic farm again. Los Cerdos Biological Reserve. The first entry I see. Volunteering. Right up there by Volcan Cotacachi, which I regret not having explored more. Working in the forest. Eating local organic foods. Homemade meals. A good cause. Next, Los Golondrenas. Pretty much the same thing.
Homestays maybe? Sumak Pacha, Associacion Pachamama, etc,. All around Intag. All right up my alley. I look up the numbers for these programs, Los Cerdos first. It all sounds very inviting when I talk to the person on the phone - then I hear what the fee is - forget about it! Astronomical. The same with the next few.
God, I am fucked.
For a minute, a heavy gloom drenches my whole body - just makes me want to give up - go back to bed. This time, however, I persist. This time I close my eyes and engage in deep breathing, maybe for about five minutes. I regain my equilibrium. I return to my guidebook for one last chance, a chance that I don’t have to return home in the same condition I left. I continue flipping the pages until -
Aha!
‘Bospas Forest Farm’
An organic farm.
Volunteering
Near the city of Ibarra, called Ciudad Blanco (The White City) as it is famous for its vista of white washed colonial buildings. Only about 45 minutes from Cotacachi - and the fee, which is the main thing now - looks reasonable. Interesting.
First things first, however. That whole Rocia scene still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Still stings.
Total punk move I pulled on her, man.
I hope someday she can forgive me. I sit down to write her a letter in a mix of Spanish and English that’s, like, straight from the heart. I’m truly sorry I hurt her. Had to get that off my chest. It’s the best I can do right now.
