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(English translation follows.)

Si hubiera heredado una gran fortuna antes de casarme con mi esposo Rob, habría cambiado nuestra decisión de ir a Nepal. Después de todo, lo conocí en una clase de alpinismo. Si mis cuñados (su hermano y esposa) no nos hubieran invitado de Everest, no habría tenido este arrepentimiento. La verdad, si hubiera tenido mi propio dinero, habría dicho, “Sí, sí y gracias.”

El viernes pasado, Rob tuvo una cirugía de su vejiga. Si no hubiera sido el diagnóstico de cáncer, no habría examinado mi vida. Pero, ahora reflejo y escribo sobre eso. Después el diagnóstico, ha sido como una carrera vertiginosa, con gritos grandes en mi mente. También, me siento alivida porque, en realidad, si hubiera tenido más dinero, no habría vivido de otra manera.

Por supuesto espero que Rob se mejore pronto. Gracias a Dios, hay buenas expectativas para su recuperación. Aún así va a ser un camino duro, vale la pena.

 

My Only Regret

If I had inherited a large fortune before marrying my husband Rob, it would have changed our decision about going to Nepal. After all, I met him in a mountaineering class. If my in-laws (his brother and wife) had not invited us to Everest, I would not have had this regret. The truth is, if I had had my own money, I would have said, “Yes, yes and thank you.”

Last Friday, Rob had surgery on his bladder. If he had not been diagnosed with cancer, I would not be examining my life. But, now I am reflecting and writing about it. After the diagnosis, it’s been like a dizzying race, with big screams in my mind. Also, I feel relieved because actually, if I had had more money, I would not have lived differently.

Of course, I expect Rob will get better soon. Thank God there are good expectations for his recovery. Even if it will be a hard road, it’s worth it.

 

 

(English translation follows.)

He regresado a mi casa cómoda en los Estados Unidos. Cada día, me pregunto que pasó durante mis viajes y que será el próximo paso para mí. Entonces, mi tarea para SPAN 203 es escribir sobre un asunto del medio ambiente. Eso puedo hacer, especialmente si no es forzado. Las preguntas mayores pueden esperar.

Cuando una persona es una testiga de las Islas Galápagos como yo, por supuesto ya no puedo argumentar contra el medio ambiente. No podría vivir con mí misma.

En cuanto miré los animales salvajes comer muy cerca de mí, incluso alimentar sus pequeños, mi corazón cambió y mi resolución (para hacer la cosa correcta) se hizo más fuerte. Estaba como si los animales no tuvieran miedo. Aunque esto sea un acto diario, también es una de nuestras actividades más vulnerables. Ellos confiaban en mí tanto que dejaban su vigilancia y comían. Cuando lo recuerdo ahora, estoy llena de calor y bienestar. Aunque este lobo marino joven en la foto es del mismo tamaño de su mamá, y un poco raro por eso, el punto principal es que su mamá le deja comer al a lado mío. Ella confió en mí.

Soy una mujer afortunada. He visto una web de existencia pacífica. Yo sé que la paz entre los seres es posible.

¿Hay voluntad política para proteger el medio ambiente? Tal vez sí o tal vez no. Pero, según Martin Luther King Jr., “El arco del universo moral es largo, pero se inclina hacia la justicia.” Esto sugiere aun el medio ambiente estará bien.

Cuando alguien me pida, “¿Qué harás por esta paz ambiental?”, abogaré por el medio ambiente. Será un placer porque actuaré sin miedo sea lo que sea.

 

As If There Was No Fear

I have returned to my comfortable home in the United States. Every day, I wonder what happened during my travels and what will be the next step for me. So, my task for SPAN 203 is to write about an environmental issue. I can do that, especially if it’s not contrived. The biggest questions can wait.

When a person witnesses the Galapagos Islands like I did, of course I can no longer argue against the environment. I could not live with myself.

As soon as I saw wild animals eat very close to me, even feed their little ones, my heart changed and my resolution (to do the right thing) became stronger. It was as if the animals were not afraid. Although this is a daily act, it is also one of our most vulnerable activities. They trusted me so much that they let go of their vigilance and ate. When I remember it now, I am full of warmth and well-being. Although this young sea lion in the photo is the same size as his mother, and a little weird for that, the main point is that his mother lets him eat next to me. She trusted me.

I am a lucky woman. I have seen a web of peaceful existence. I know that peace between beings is possible.

Is there political will to protect the environment? Maybe yes or maybe no. But, according to Martin Luther King Jr., “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it leans toward justice.” This suggests even the environment will be fine.

When someone asks me, “What will you do for this environmental peace?”, I will advocate for the environment. It will be a pleasure because I will act without fear whatever may be.

Half my lifetime ago, we had an Amway business, of all things. That’s when I first narrowed in on the Galapagos Islands as my dream destination. Thirty years later, I cashed in under the guise of studying Spanish. In my mind, these mythic isles off the coast of Ecuador had become much more than, and unlike, any place I’d ever known. I expected to find surreal shining wilderness gems in the middle of the Pacific.

Instead, the 2019 Galapagos are more like islands anywhere:  tourist playgrounds that have trees, plants, coast-lines, sun and surf. Thirty-thousand people make their homes in the archipelago, as well as many more animals.

The grand and obvious difference between these islands and others is that all creatures live side-by-side, relatively respectfully of one another. This subtle reality grew on me over the short week I was there. I cannot over-emphasize the sense of hope this has instilled in me.

To illustrate, the morning before I left my hotel on Santa Cruz Island to head back to my country, I was perched outside my second floor room journaling. I glanced over at the tall cactus, about three meters in front of me, and noticed a pair of endemic Darwin finches perched in a crotch.

“Nice photo,” I thought, as the non-descript grayish female flew away.

Then before my eyes, a simple-looking small black bird—the male—began building a nest for his family. Over and over again, he swept in with tiny branches and puffs of white fluff. He painstakingly arranged a home out of air and natural materials. I was captivated.

I was also thrilled the next morning that his work continued. Now there was an impressive screen and a slight depth to the construction. Progress had been made. As I watched, and in front of God’s eyes (and mine too), the heretofore silent bird began singing, seemingly a tune of joy and pride. Perhaps the work was almost done. I realized soon enough that he was calling his woman home, because she appeared nearby and flew in, presumably to inspect.

I was doing what scientists do—watching for long, still moments, then recording, one moment after another. Meditators do this too. Quietly. In stillness. Unable to do anything else at all…except to breathe…and marvel.

As I leaned in and watched the finches that morning, I began hearing my man calling me home too. Over the continents and thousands of miles, I listened. With fond anticipation, I began the two days and ten legs of required traveling—taxis, ferries, flights, buses—to arrive safely back into his open arms in the nest we built together and call home.

Now, back in Seattle, my rekindled anticipation extends back to that other pair of love birds. Their little puffs of yellow baby birds—“amarillos” as Gloria, the hotel’s housekeeper called them—will arrive soon enough. I have a dream that the next inhabitant of my hotel room will enjoy them as much as I delighted in their parents. I imagine and hope and wait for this type of peaceful reality every day.

 

(La traducción al español a continuación.)

Best travel advice this week:

1. Rest when you can. Ecuadorians did not get the memo about naps or at least the good folks at the Superior Institute of Spanish didn’t. Yes, they have good reason to show off their gorgeous slice of God’s green earth every waking moment, but really?! I recommend a breather whenever and wherever you find one.
2. Coca-cola was made for a reason: To gulp down after a two-hour inter-island speed boat crossing with others from around the world packed in. Cheers, everybody!
3. Bring along your sarong. Now I understand why desert-dwellers cover themselves with loose flowing clothing. When I move inside my sarong, I can surround myself with a cooler breeze, no matter how hot it may be outside.
4. Another day will dawn even after intense, violent, explosive and pitifully-embarrassing food poisoning. If you are lucky and Good Fortune smiles on you, you’ll get to spend that very day on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, like me.

 

Mejores consejos de la semana:

1. Descansa cuando puedas. Ecuatorianos no recibieron el aviso sobre siestas, al menos no la gente linda del Instituto Superior de Español. Sí, ellos tienen razón para presumir su hermosa porción de la tierra verde de Dios en cada momento de vigilia, İ¿pero, en serio?! Te recomiendo un respiro cuando y donde puedas encontrarlo.
2. Coca-cola se hizo por una razón: Para beber después de un cruce entre-islas de dos horas en una lancha rápida llena de otras personas de todo el mundo. İSalud, todos!
3. Trae tu pareo contigo. Ahora, entiendo porque los habitantes del desierto se visten con ropa suelta para cubirse. Cuando me muevo dentro mi pareo, puedo rodearme de una brisa más fresca, sin importar que afuera esté muy caliente.
4. Otra día amenecerá incluso después de una intoxicación alimentaria intensa, violenta, explosiva y vergonzosamente embarazosa. Sí tienes suerte y La Buena Fortuna te sonríe, podrás pasar ese mismo día en la Isla Isabela en Las Islas Galápagos de Ecuador, como yo.

 

 

 

 

(English translation follows.)

“Otavalito, capital del mundo, sucursal del cielo.”   Carlos Tafur

Cuando pedí para mi sabático de trabajo, pensaba que podría estudiar en Matagalpa, Nicaragua. Pero cuando la situación se volvió peor y mi escuela favorita se cerró, tuve que cambiar mis planes. Pues, primero me afligí por mis amigos en Nicaragua y ya hago. İQueremos cambio y paz en Nicaragua pronto!

Entonces, encontré Otavala, Ecuador. Que afortunada para mí. Otavalo con su mercado famoso, el más grande semanal mercado artesano de las calles en Sudamérica. Otavalo con su gente indígena y mestiza—lista, guapa y simpática. Otavalo con su naturaleza magnífica: montañas, cascadas, aves y flores y frutas. Su comida. Su musica. ¿Y quien puedo olvidar las nubes de Otavalo? Que por su altitud, están cerca, simpre están cambiando y es sorprendente.

Para mí, como siempre, mis amigos nuevos son los meyores: Carlos, mi profe inteligente y paciente; Blanquita, mi guía amable para las excursiones por las tardes; Mayra, la otra maestra, y su familia hermosa; y mi querida familia anfitriona. Todos me han dado la bienvenida. Todos me han ayudado a curarme–a traducir el cumplicado español medicinal, me ofrecer té con jengibre, limón sutil y miel de abeja, más mi mama cortés aquí cocinar comida saludable, rica y variedad. Es verdad que La Tos de Penélope ha sido un proyecto para el equipo total.

Estoy triste de salir. Pero ustedes me han hecho agradecida, saludable y lista para un sueño de mi vida—Las Galápagos. Gracias, mil gracias, muchicimas gracias.

 

Otavalo, Otavalito

 

“Otavalito, capital of the world, branch of heaven.” Carlos Tafur

When I asked for my sabbatical, I thought I could study in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. But when the situation got worse there and my favorite school closed, I had to change my plans. Well, first I grieved for my friends in Nicaragua and I still do. We want change and peace in Nicaragua soon!

Then, I found Otavalo, Ecuador. How lucky for me. Otavalo with its famous market, the largest weekly artisan street market in South America. Otavalo with its indigenous and mestizo people—smart, beautiful and friendly. Otavalo with its magnificent nature: mountains, waterfalls, birds and flowers and fruits. The food. The music. And who can forget the clouds of Otavalo? Due to the altitude, the clouds are close. And they are always changing and surprising.

For me, as always, my new friends are the best: Carlos, my intelligent and patient teacher; Blanquita, my friendly guide for the afternoon excursions; Mayra, another teacher, and her beautiful family; and my dear host family. Everyone has welcomed me. All have helped me heal by translating complicated medical Spanish, offering me tea with ginger, lemon and pure honey plus my gracious host mom cooks rich, healthy food with variety. It’s true—Penélope’s Cough has been a project for the entire team.

I’m sad to leave. But you have made me grateful, healthy and ready for a dream of my lifetime: The Galapagos. Thank you, thank you very much, thank you very very much.