Narcolepsy: A Beachside State of Being

I thought I was altogether aware of the conditions, disorders, and quirks that ran in my family, but no one has ever told me about the narcoleptic gene, but time and again the beach seems to induce this funny little affliction. Though maybe I should put a more positive spin on it. It's actually quite fortunate that 1) I am able to jet off to the beach on a long weekend, and 2) sleep like a little leaden angel while there.

A year ago this past weekend was my first Ecuadorian beach vacation, and now I have ventured to and enjoyed three beaches here in this sweet South American country. Thursday after school I hopped in a van with Celeste, Greg and Michelle and we high-tailed it out of town to Canoa. As leagues of people head to the coast on holiday weekends, I braced myself for quite the car ride, but, aside from some slight nausea as we wound down to sea level on switch back roads, the 6 hours to the surf town and fishing village was uneventful and altogether quite pleasant. Again, Ecuador, I am so happy we have discovered this Zen place together; it'd be wicked cool if we could continue to harness such a centered space. (Truth be told, I'm not holding my breath, but I do continue to savor the ease that has so far defined this year...)

Michelle: Well, Jamie, you didn't think that your fate was tied up with mine, but this situation seems to argue otherwise...that should at least slow you down a bit, enough so that Greg could grab you before you went through the windshield...

Once arriving in Canoa, Michelle and I checked into our hostal, Bambú, located right on the beach, and right next to the beachfront bars. Blaring music, though, was no match for the heavy, salty air and the sandman. You know when you feel like your limbs have become actual sandbags? That defined the first 24 hours of this little getaway. I had good intentions to do yoga on the beach, and then on a surfboard in the water. I couldn't even muster mountain pose (That is, to stand tall with your hands at your side.) I also thought I'd dig into some good beach reads, but 3 pages into The Pearl that Broke Its Shell and my head was bobbing like an apple on Halloween. Really, lifting my right eyelid was incredibly taxing. 

Nonetheless, after keeping it horizontal for the better part of the first day, I rallied by the evening to check out the nightlife on an Ecuadorian beach for the first time. Canoa didn't disappoint. Shakin' my groove thang alongside my friends in the soft sand certainly helped to shake my sleepy state, at least temporarily. 

Mmmm, watermelon with a splash of leche at the Surf Shak. 

Enjoying a good game of Jenga before hitting up the beachside bars. 

(Seeing as I just had to Google "game that topples wood pieces" to come up with Jenga, it seems I haven't escaped the grips of my beachside state of being just yet...)

Saturday proved to be a more fruitful day than did Friday, at least when it came to reading, as I made it through about three chapters rather than three pages of the book I cracked open. We enjoyed more ceviche, more fruity drinks, and capped it off with more seafood for dinner.

Friends here have noted my skepticism at sharing food. I do have runt-of-the-litter syndrome when it comes to others sticking their forks in my cuisine, and here is Exhibit A: Michelle, you only saved two patacones for me?! My response: two pieces of chocolate cake for dessert.

I do miss autumn immensely. The smell of the air turning, the brilliant colors, curling up with a blanket and cup of tea while the first fire is flaming...it's delicious. But, this is pretty cool too. #thisSouthAmericanlife...I'm loving it. 

Un abrazo fuerte a todos. Buenas noches, queridos amigos y mi familia.

Jame