A Trip to Ecuador -- Visiting Bill and the Ground Crew

[Jeffrey]

Where's Bill Ryan? Found him!

Somehow, someway, and against all odds (or so it seemed) -- I finally made my way to Ecuador to visit Bill and the Ground Crew. Tucked away securely in the beautiful belt-line of Mother Earth, I arrived on the first of January. A new adventure to start off a new year!

For a long time I put it off and pushed the decision further out. Things kept coming up in my life -- between friends, family, and finances I just couldn't find the time. In addition, I had never been out of the states alone and I had precious preconceived notions to preserve!

Visiting Ecuador was a prospect that had been fizzing in the back up my mind ever since I shook up the idea. I couldn't take the pressure any longer -- I had to open up, I had to release any anxiety about it, I had to step out, I had to go.

A dear (very close) friend of mine () helped me to make this decision. It was the kind of help a friend would have given you when you were a little kid teetering on the edge of the high dive at the public pool -- a little nudge! Cannon ball!

Bill and company have welcomed me with open arms. The hospitality here is incredible, and so are the vistas. Away from the smog of propaganda, away from the blanket of synthetic transmissions, away from the sticky artifice back home. Although, I do miss my family, so it's a good thing there's an internet connection here!

The hacienda is nestled in the bosom of the Andes mountains and is only a short, scenic drive away from a quaint, semi-modern city. It's the rainy season here now, but the weather is great (nice and sunny) for the first half of the day. Actually, there's a mystique atmosphere created when the clouds pass through the valleys and this is offered during the second half of the day. Bill and I are on the prowl for Brocken Specters. I like it.

We've been on scenic hikes, marinated in mineral rich hot-springs, shared some wonderful meals together, and ventured through different dreamscapes during the stimulating conversations that tend to spontaneously emerge.

I've met a lot of great people down here and I'm grateful for that. We've all enjoyed each other's company. There's a heaviness that lifts off of you when you step out of the ordinary, it's a breath of fresh air!

I have to say, it's very inspiring to experience a group of people that are living intentionally. There are genuine people here that have decided to live in their own sovereign space and off the grid (as have others around the world). When I return to the states, I will do so with a newfound confidence.

The problems that I had initially perceived regarding actually getting out here -- they were being magnified by the very forces that would have me bound. The process of getting here has been freeing in and of itself. The rest of the experience has simply been rewarding.

This thread will be a dropbox for photos, stories, information about the country, and things of that nature. Also, any questions Avalonians may have regarding traveling to Ecuador are encouraged.

I only have a few weeks left of this adventure, so I will leave the torch here for somebody else to pick up and relate their experience after I depart (or if you've travelled to this country before, please feel free to share). I will be back!

Peace,

Vivek

[Dennis Leahy]

Thank you for sharing this, Jeffrey. I have a huge vicarious grin. :~)

Dennis

[Kimberley]

Good on you dear brother! Continue having loads of FUN! And give Bill a hug from me and ask him to please answer the question I have been asking him via a PM... Thanks!

[Mandala]

Jeffery, thanks for sharing. It truly seems like an awesome and inspiring adventure. I'm sure your conversations with Bill have been enriching. Continue to have a great time, and do share your travels with all of us spread all over this glorious planet.

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Looking forward to some inspiring photographs.

[christian]

Thanks, Jeff!

For a smart person traveling is the best education. — Goethe

I don't know if it's the best, but it's certainly good. You only get a real feel about the atmosphere and all the rest, like how things can be done in a different way than what you're used to, if you really go somewhere. This is, going somewhere else physically, but also in your mind, being open to just experience and seeing things in a different way.

The most memorable thing about my trip to Ecuador last summer was that the vast majority of expats I met was in some way aware of what's going on in their home country. Most were Americans and told me that they know their country is becoming a police state, many also told me they had something like an intuitive calling, this was whether I met them at the beach, in the Andes, or somewhere in between.

I'm very glad that these people are there in Ecuador, like Bill and the Ecuadorian Ground Crew, because they are pioneers conducting an experiment of how we can live together and develop ourselves in a more resourceful way, which is not only of value right there but it also adds to the collective human experience. I found great inspiration in being part of this particular experiment in Ecuador, even if only briefly.

As of now, my calling is to get back into the other fray though, I do think Western countries and the people there need far more hands-on support than Ecuador, where it's really lush and where government policies don't seem to affect the simple man too much with rules and regulations. I hope I can return to Ecuador every now and then though, because it really is a wonderful life there, enjoying fresh, organic food and the company of some of the most wonderful people you could come across. I don't remember if I ever saw a chemtrail there...

[Sérénité]

Sounds like a paradise heaven on earth...how everywhere should be!
Hey, you even met some star people

[lysander]

Excellent post Jeffrey, I'm planning the same trip

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by christian (here)

I don't remember if I ever saw a chemtrail there...

Right. No chemtrails here.



There are many more pictures in the Where's Bill Ryan? thread. Do look! I might cross-post a few of them.

Some more photos of the Ecuador Ground Crew:

(The first one is Jeff and Christine...)









It's been a joy and a delight having Jeff with us. He's smart, funny, attentive, creative, has a brilliant mind, and is always more than willing to help out with the chickens and all the chores. We're conspiring to make sure he misses his flight back home in a couple of weeks' time.

[GoodETxSG]

Your very lucky Jeff,
I am happy you took the first step in your adventure. We have the exact same plans as soon as circumstances permit. I have to admit I am a bit jealous

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by GoodeTXSG (here)


We have the exact same plans as soon as circumstances permit. I have to admit I am a bit jealous

Come on down!

• Gasoline is $1.48 a gallon, diesel $1.04.
• Fresh raw milk and yogurt every day.
• A year-round growing season: as much fresh pineapple, mango, papaya, avocado and sweet potatoes as you can eat.
• No mosquitoes, no chemtrails, and no smart meters.
• High-speed internet, Apple technicians not hidebound by Apple Rules, and a very friendly dog whose only need in life is to have her tummy tickled and to go on long walks in the forest as often as possible.

[learninglight]

Well done Jeffery for going with your hearts desire, it looks amazing
Thank you for this thread, i was feeling very low today but this has put a very big smile on my face; and to you too Bill for contributing the pics and for all you do

sharon

[Knowrainknowrainbows!]

Congratulations on making the journey!
I am feeling envious so maybe your (and others') sharing will transform the envy into motivation so I will make this trip one day ...

Best to All,
KRKR

[Becky]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

Posted by GoodeTXSG (here)


We have the exact same plans as soon as circumstances permit. I have to admit I am a bit jealous

Come on down!

• Gasoline is $1.48 a gallon, diesel $1.04.
• Fresh raw milk and yogurt every day.
• A year-round growing season: as much fresh pineapple, mango, papaya, avocado and sweet potatoes as you can eat.
• No mosquitoes, no chemtrails, and no smart meters.
• High-speed internet, Apple technicians not hidebound by Apple Rules, and a very friendly dog whose only need in life is to have her tummy tickled and to go on long walks in the forest as often as possible.

Sounds wonderful :-) x

[Jeffrey]

The Parque Nationale: Part One

Within week one, four of us set out to visit Parque Nacional Cajas for a day hike. We were fortunate to catch some good weather that day -- the forecast can be completely unpredictable up there.

The above is a panorama that Bill was kind enough to take during the last leg of the hike. Getting used to the altitude takes some time and Bill is a seasoned mountaineer. I'm grateful that he stayed behind with me during that final stretch because I was beginning to slow down a bit.

He patiently idled his engine while my body was busy adjusting the fuel to air ratio required to function above 13,000 feet. Like I said, getting acclimated takes some time.

Before setting out we all had to sign in and let the staff at the park know our plans in case they had to come looking for us. This shouldn't be taken for granted either! We selected which trail we wanted to tackle and stepped into the fantastical, picturesque landscape that is Cajas.

After gradually winding around and up a mountainside we came face to face with what we dubbed the Enchanted Forest. A place that seemed to have been crafted from the imaginative depths of nature, inspired by the magic of a memory long forgotten.

The woods there emit an enchanted aura that impress a sense of curiosity and wonder upon those who wander in.

Almost immediately my mind began peppering the area with mythical creatures and mystical plots dancing amidst the twisted, pinkish-red trees of the cloud forest. Who knows, maybe the forest was sharing something we me then.

After exploring for a little bit, we realized that we took a wrong turn somewhere along the path. It was then that I was glad that we informed the staff about the details of our trek.

As we moved forward it became more and more obvious that there was no longer a path to follow. Trusting the synergistic intelligence of the group, we navigated by consensus. Shortly after we emerged from the other side of the forest, but we still had to search for a worn trail -- which we found of course!

It should be noted that nobody really doubted that we would find our way; we were calm, confident, and enjoying every moment. Below is the photograph taken of the view looking back.

Later we found out that the forest we were in is known as the Quinoa Forest, populated with Quinoa trees, and it's the highest forest in the world! Yeah, take that Quinoa Forest! Local legends paint that land with evil elves that haunt the forest alongside the ghosts of long lost hikers. We throw snowballs at the bogeymen!

I'd be happy to go back anytime. It truly is a beautiful, rich space and I had a great experience there.

Continued in Part Two ...

[Adi]

Seem like such a wonderful place, its a world away from the dusty, mirky, loud conversing city streets that I live alongside. Maybe one day I could go to a place like Vilacabamba Equador, were you are surrounded by great people and great natural tranquility. Thanks for these photos Bill, I love looking at them when I arrive home from a hectic busy day, in what seems like a heavily controlled city life style.

Peace

Adi

[Jeffrey]

... The Parque Nationale: Part Two

In the image above you can see how far we journeyed from the forest, it was quite a trip.

The path we ended up taking after getting out of the woods was different than the one we originally set out on. We met other hikers along the way and encountered a myriad of striking scenes that gave our cameras a good exercise.

It did start to drizzle intermittently half way through the hike -- I liked it though.

Here are a few more photographs.

I would recommend visiting the park to anyone who finds themselves in Ecuador. There are a multitude of trails, I think you can even camp there too. An adventure for sure.

There are more photos and I'll be putting together an album soon (accessible on my profile page). All of the images can be right-clicked and opened in a new tab for an enlarged view.

Thanks!

[sheme]

Really appreciate a magical view into the dream thank you. You are safe and protected, how wonderful this feeling is.

[CD7]

Awesome!!! Seems like a great trip...im jealous too! Would love to visit there

[childs hood end]

Place looks magical...
do you`s get much sightings ?
is there any natural predators roaming them hills ?

wouldn't mind getting lost up der...

peace.

[chocolate]

So, now I know the name also- Ariel.
Before today and that picture, it was a furry small-y thing-y holding on to me (in that otherworldly dream I had some few nights back).
Lucky fellas. I mean... the animals