Using one word to describe Manta it would be music, it's literally everywhere and I adore it. Upon arriving in my hotel room the employee switch on the A/C unit. I was unpacking and settling in when I became aware I had been enjoying music all along and wasn't sure where it was coming from, and for a brief moment I actually thought it was coming from my A/C unit, how neat a radio in the A/C unit! Going to inspect closer I realized it was in fact coming in from a neighbouring business. Thankfully they have good taste and I have been enjoying the Latin music in my room (To: Nicole, as I write this post the song "Gasolina" is playing, good old times HAHA). I had a glorious beach day yesterday and did take some pictures of a snow cone artist for you all to see. I have never been to a beach that was defined so much by the music. People have little radios and there are Ecuadorian men walking around with guitars ready to serenade at a moments notice. Manta is bright, colourful and just has such a warm happy vibe. Latinos are known for really embracing music and dance and you certainly see this when a favourite song comes to play it's not unusual to see grown men sing along very animatedly and even sometimes get to their feet and dance without being bashful at all. It's really sweet to see because often to get a Canadian man to that point he has a fair amount of liquid courage in him HAHA. There is no doubt that the sound of waves into the beach is pretty beautiful, but I wouldn't pass up some awesome merengue music either ;-)

There comes a point in ones travels when they meet their foreign mother hen. I guess that nurturing and motherly instinct is so deep that they can't humanly help themselves. When I was traveling in Cambodia while staying in a small family run hotel and older lady who I guessed was the grandmother took quite a fancy to me. She spoke no English and I very little Cambodian, but she adored my fair skin and would take my arms and turn them so she could rub the insides where it was most fair. She would even pinch my cheeks and nose and sometimes I had to kindly push her away because it was just too much. At the time I was slightly annoyed, yes I'm white I get it, I'm Canadian. But whenever I told the story upon my return and even now I smile and think fondly because I know she was just a kind old lady and did a lot that showed her care and concern for me. Well I now have my Ecuadorian mother hen. She's doesn't touch or poke and prod me like the Cambodian lady but they are similar in they speak no English so we rely on my Spanish or body language. Like a mother she always wants to know did I sleep ok, was I warm enough, did I eat enough, the sun is bright I should cover my skin, and making sure when I go out that I returned safely. It's amazing what you can tell from body language and it's really adorable that a complete stranger to me takes so much care and consideration for my wellbeing. I think it's a great pay it forward lesson. I like to believe we as Canadians are welcoming and helpful to tourists or newcomers to Canada, but there is always room for more. I know I'm going to make an effort that when I'm home and faced with a foreigner I'm going to show just a little extra care and concern for their wellbeing.