The Road

The mountains and wilderness were untouched by greedy human hands. My eyes were not ambushed by the harsh purples and oranges of Dunkin Donuts or street lights and strip malls. The reds, oranges and yellows were instead represented on clothes lines strung around houses –as if for decoration and not necessity. The bus slowly rounded the bumpy corners. We traveled up through mountains –and then down, repeatedly. My eyes were attacked by the beautiful world I observed. I was far from anything I knew, responsibility of any kind and normalcy. The feeling was ineffable. Moments like this rekindle my belief in God. A belief that comes and goes far too often with all the hardships life can bring. The road was bumpy, and to some may have felt uncomfortable, but I felt placid, calm –alive. I was simply happy for the first time in a long time. It had been too long. I gazed at the myriad of greens that I didn’t even know existed. Mesmerized, I breathed in deeply. I needed to breathe down deep in to my toes in order to fully take in my surroundings. Two cows glimpsed in to the bus at me as I stared back. They knew. Waterfalls bathed the mountainside, nourishing the jungle. All I could hear was the humming of the bus and the Spanish language spoken by the other passengers which I could not understand. The combination was a peaceful melody as we weaved through Ecuador.
After about 8 hours of staring out the window in awe, we approached Gualaquiza. The journey was over, but the trip had really just begun. My sister and one month old nephew were awaiting my arrival. Javier, my brother-in-law, appeared as if for the first time, even though he had been beside me the whole trip. Snapping out of my trance, it was time to get off of the bus. Everyone else zealously leaped up to exit the confined vehicle, but I carefully had to separate my butt from the seat. With backpack over shoulder, as if inebriated, I stumbled forward not knowing what to expect next. I exited the bus and planted my feet on the solid ground. Where was I?