STOP 2 | Galapagos: forever 25

The most amazing thing that happened in Ecuador is the feeling of being younger. I’ve been pretty solid and honest about my age, despite the fact the time has been passing by and beyond a great job and some great friends, I may not have much else in my life. But I don't have fear of getting old - yet. And some white hair has started to appear :)

Many people thought I was 25...they said it and then I started a game: after connecting with people showing my new and updated self (the one I've been working on over the last year and a half), I asked them how old they think I was. The range was always between 25-28 not more, not less. I’ve really come to the realization that feeling young inside, and show it to people, makes you feeling better, more energetic, more connected.

Other volunteers that joined my project and arrived here are literally teenagers: I can technically be their dad…let's say it again: I can technically be their dad…

We stayed at a place we called "La Reserva", where all volunteers sleep. Patricia was our lovely host, taking care of us and cooking for all of us 3 meals per day.

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1st Day | Friday: let’s hit on those big turtles

This was the first day of volunteering work. On Fridays, we do work only in the morning and the afternoon is free.

We went first to an Otoy plantation, to cut such lovely greens and put into bundles. After that we brought them to Galapaguera, which is the Tartoise Breeding Center.

 
 



And the meal is served:

 

In the afternoon we hit the city, enjoying some coffee in the company of the volunteers, tasting pan de yuca and taking a interregnum pic: me wearing a Philly Hard Rock cafè t-shirt (STOP #1), while steering a Galapagos helm (STOP #2).



The view from Sea Garden was really cool:



After meeting Charles Darwin with his sheep on the Malécon...



...we moved towards Playa Corolla, where my phone run out of battery. On the way, sea lions did make themselves noticed

 

Together we Bowen, we thought: what if humans are able to re-connect with nature and animals? We both believed we would be better off! Such sea lions are so adorable, a little bit smelly sometimes, but really gorgeous.

I finished the day by renting snorkeling equipment, full of hopes for the day after - spoiler alert: it was quite a miserable day :D Most likely we went to the city again to enjoy a drink with a night view, as my photo library is suggesting.


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