Santiago Chile

 

I have met many people in my lifetime from this city. I have even tried some of their typical food in New Zealand, such as Cazuala de Pollo which I must say I absolutely loved, so I was keen to eat some Chilean food actually here in Chile in Santiago.

I have not been Disappointed. The food here especially the cazuela is amazing. Another refreshment that I have been introduced to which is particular to Chile is Mote con Huesillo. It is a drink that contains corn and apricots with apricot juice and is served chilled.

 

The city here has  many beautiful elements such as old stately buildings and established trees. It also has some very nice restaurants, eateries and cafes. As far as cities go I like what what I have seen.

 

I must also must comment that among the South American countries that I have visited, Chile is among the most affectionate. Everyone is always kissing everyone else as they greet and say good bye. As another case in point when I was leaving Chile for Buenos Aires I saw  a young man balling his eyes out, the person opposite me was on the phone to a person outside at her window while waiting for the departure and there was even a dog who sat out side staring at the door with a pensive and forlorn look as if the most important person in his life was leaving forever.

 

Over the course of my week here I have enjoyed meeting with the pioneers for early morning witnessing until noon, and visiting the French speaking congregation. It is most encouraging working along with and seeing the immense efforts of the brothers and sisters in the ministry and foreign language congregations.There is so much yet to see and enjoy here, maybe the future will permit me to return. 

Pioneers using bikes! How cool is that!

 

This place is awesome. They give you a taste testing experience like no other I have seen. They give you a small glass of one to try than another than another than another with a mixture of to you have tried, its awesome! We left more happy than when we had entered. So if your in Chile come here and try some of there Chillan Wine and ChiChas.

 

Fuente de Alemania (They make incredible Hamburgers) is another thing you must have in Santiago and don't pass over on the German bloc beer, again this place is awesome!

This is a pensive Ruben looking to the east of Santiago

So much more could be said about Santiago, but I wont say any more other than go there! (Having more than a week and with some available time to travel east and south!)

Leaving Ecuador

 

It was very nice to visit Pallatanga again and spend some time with the brothers there, they even gave me a farewell and some encouragement to return again as soon as I could.

On Sunday morning I left early for Ecuador's bus terminal which was the beginning of my 90 hour bus trip!!! I would not recommend  this to anyone! It simply isn't natural. For example after putting my boots on Sunday morning around 530am I didn't take them off until the following Thursday evening, that five days without removing my footwear!

But I survived, a little worse for ware but alive and in Santiago Chile.

One of the more interesting moments was leaving Ecuador at the border. I was found out to be an overstayer!

For once I happened to be at the end of the line (from those in my bus) thinking everything was fine. The official told me I had overstayed and to go and speak to the other officer around the corner. (this is where it started getting unofficial and dodgy.) Here I was told there would be a fine of $200.00 dollars which I protested, he then relented saying that now there is no fine but I would have to stay the night as the person who could help  me would arrive in the morning. It was then suggested that I might not have to stay the night and could be helped if I had some money. I had $40.00 and decided that it was better to pat and carry on rather than stay the night. As I reached to pull out the money I was told not to as there were cameras around! (This is the point where I realized just how unofficial it was. I went across the road to get a couple of  copies of my passport and when I returned he was waiting at a building nearby in the shadows(away from the cameras) with my passport which had been stamped. I was finally free to go and join the bus which had been patiently waiting. We then had to wait a little more as the last person also had problems.

The lesson is don't do anything or put yourself in a position where they can extort your money.

 

This is how to ccok.

By the way not all buses make it through river crossings

Assembly's in South America

 

The English Convention at Guayaquil (on the Bethel grounds) Was very encouraging. It is almost like a huge Pioneer meeting as most there attending are here in Ecuador for the purpose of serving where there is a great need.

It also had a very international feel and was very beautiful to see such a wonderful mix of people happy brothers and sister gathered and grouping to have photos taken, and with the backdrop of melodies playing it really created a joyous atmosphere that made it a very special Convention.

 

 

 

For the convention in Spanish we meet at Coloseo Shell in Puyo. I was able to help out with the sign department and doing night shift security. I remember watching the thunder storms from the elevated windows as they passed by.

Recently We had the circuit assembly in the same coloseo. Only this time it happed to fall on the same date as a public holiday. I went a day earlier to attend the pioneer meeting thinking I could find a place to stay. But NO!!! I rang 30 different places(all I could find the phone book) and they were all full with no rooms available!

I slept in the reception of a hotel upon a spare mattress. The next day there was a hotel with available rooms but at a cost higher than I had hoped to pay. It seems the Ecuadoreans like to get out and see there own country when they have the opportunity, its a good thing they do but even better when it doesn't coincide with an assembly!

On the Friday when I was walking about to find they Kingdom Hall for the pioneer meeting I met a brother from the states returning home from the field. I told him I had learnt where the Kingdom Hall Isn't and he showed me where it was, which happed to be close to my hotel and to his house. (You are never truly alone in a city when you are a witness)

He invited me to visit. He and his wife live above an Italian Pizzeria with a genuine Italian chef! But what was most interesting to learn was that he supported himself pioneering for 8 years working only 4 days A MONTH! Window cleaning.

At the circuit assembly I sat to a generous and friendly family I have never met before in my life, at lunch time they asked if I would like to share there lunch with them, I asked if they had enough and they replied that they always bring an extra portion to share with some one else. What a wonderful family and lesson in kindness and generosity.

That assembly also included for the first time ever in the history of Ecuador a couple of talks translated into the language of shuar. There is much work to be done in that field. Its was exciting to be there and see history in the making.

There are to many of such things to relate but they do remind me of how special it is to belong to such a wonderful worldwide family.

A Visit and a Visit

 

One of the highlights of last month was having fellow kiwi Mr Aaron James pay a visit. There where then two gringos in town. He was well received and people were asking after him after he had left. It was nice to have a fellow companion for a few days.

Here are some photos we took in the field.

This is us about to use the televista to cross a the river Paute

 

Ever wondered what things might look like if you were as big as an ant?

 

After a wee walk we were a little thirsty, below is a little shop.

By the way this is the house with a room that we use as a kingdom hall.

After a few days in Mendez it was time for me to visit the James family in Cuenca. There I was well looked after and it was a real treat to eat things such as bacon, biscuits, marmite on toast and even chocolate coconut slice!!! They are a family who can cook. While I was there Mark James gave his first talk at a circuit assembly in Spanish, so encouraging. I also enjoyed watching  some movies in English with the use of a projector.

Here is a sample of the work of Mark James below.

Good times

I Was There

 

Though on the other side of the planet in a place where people think New Zealand is in Europe and have no idea what rugby is and at a time when most South Americans where sleeping it being 3am… I was there.

Here but there watching live from my mothers T.V via skype along with an anxious nation as the mighty teams clashed. What a tense last 10 minutes. I was remembering the last world cup final when France rivalled the All Blacks and the following day became known as a black Monday in which the nation went into depression.

The Best Team won. A team of champions' and a champion team.

Dead Gringos, Beheadings and Vast Beauty

 

As may or may not be known within the vast reaches of Amazonia there are still many tribes that live as they have lived for many many years without modern influences. Some of these places may be only be reached by plane, canoe or by foot. As often appears with any union between  general populace and indigenous there are side affects that are at times not so welcome usually on both sides.

I have heard since my being here from many different sources that I ought to be careful as some gringos who have strayed off the beaten path have never been found again, or if found found dead and beheaded. Though I have also heard of some taken captive alive.

Imagine how I might have been feeling on the afternoon I am leaving to head into Santiago Morona (A place further into the Amazon) when I am met with two people who were thinking I was heading to the funeral of a recently murdered Canadian who had ventured it seems a little to far than he should have.(Alone) I have recently met some more friends of his and they told me apparently we looked alike and thought that I was perhaps family. Before catching my bus I was also sternly warned that I ought to have a permit and the dangers further elaborated on. I was pensive.

A photo could never do it justice, It is impossible to perceive just how vast and immense the Amazon is. From this observation point when you see it with your own eyes and appreciate the depth and width you cannot fail to be amazed. It is as the sea and as far as the eye can see to the curve of the earth it is pure forest. Here lies the lungs of the planet and untold animals and species.  

 

The members of our paseo, at the home of a sister who is the only witness in this isolated community.

I had no reason to be pensive. I was with a good crew and we didn't go to far off the beaten track, South Americans are not the most adventurous. They even set up there tents inside! The preaching here in Morona was super enjoyable as the people were hungry for some spiritual food. I only wish I could have stayed longer.

Tumbes Peru

 

While still waiting for the bus to go to Tumbes and still feeling a little bravo I met a very interesting man, or rather a man interested in me. He had a guitar which is not that common to see, so I asked him if he played. I conversation started and he asked where I was from and what I was doing here, I mentioned among other things that I was here doing a voluntary work teaching others about the bible. He told me that in his small village they do not know much about the bible. What was very unusual and quite astounding was his questions. I would mention one thing and he would ask a pertinent question I would briefly explain and then he would ask another pertinent question and so on. His questions were so well phrased to the point and of the questions that are truly important I thought he was a brother and maybe teasing me, but not so. It was a little frustrating as I could only give him brief explanations which for him only wetted his appetite and we only had about 7 minutes to talk. I gave him a handful of tracts to read and we parted. He was a very humble and hungry man.

When I arrived at Tumbes I met a motorbike taxi driver asking me where I wanted to go. I responded the cheapest hotel there was he told of a cheap hotel and though I didn't believe it was the cheapest it was cheap enough and he took me there. Upon arriving I find that he is friends with the guy there and no doubt he had taken me here because of that. There are many such business links like this in South America.

My room wasn't very nice, can you imagine that there was even blood smeared on the walls. It did have cable T.V and was close to a nice plaza, the Plaza de Armas which was a bonus.

Plazza da Armas

A very neat mosaic work of art upon the stage facing the Plazza de Armas

That evening I went to find someplace to eat around the plaza. I found a place called Si Senor which had pizza on the menu, I asked how much than ordered Pizza and beer. The beer came and was much enjoyed, after a long wait and I got the waitress and asked her about my pizza. A little while later they bring out another beer, after much waiting I go and ask about my Pizza in earnest and they tell me they don't have pizza! SO I left happy but hungry. In one of the pedestrian streets I found a shop that sells huge pieces of cake for very cheap and then a stand selling slices of Pizza! Hurray. As I was walking back to the Plaza I came across another little stand selling small hard boiled quail eggs which are delicious so I bought some.

As it so happened at this moment there was a young man buying some also and we got to talking, we walked to the plaza and were talking about all sorts of things eventually after sometime I came out that I am a Jehovah's Witness. He was amazed and couldn't believe it, he told me his mum is a Witness. He thought Jehovah was trying to tell him something as  when he was in Canada he was approached on the street by a witness preaching informally, and that one day at his work he decided to walk up the stairs instead of the elevator for some reason and found a copy of the Awake journal and now here he is talking to another witness. He told me he wasn't a witness and that there were things he didn't think were right. We had a great discussion and arranged to meet up for lunch the next day with his mum, when I got home I was nearly 1130 we had been talking for quite some time.

The next day I met him in the park at 1130 and we went first of all to a place where they sell Civiche  which is like raw fish, delicious. Then we went to his home nearby, It was a very lovely time meeting his family and enjoying a wonderful feast north Peruvian food incuding Shrimp Omelettes and Patacones around the table with much lively and enjoyable chatter. It is amazing to arrive at a town where you know absolutely know one and the next day enjoying a meal around a table with friends.

The next day I left my room in the morning to head back to Ecuador. As my trike arrived outside the bus station there was in fact a bus pulling out heading across the border perfect timing. We arrive at the Peruvian immigration office which is a room in a building near the border town and I march there directly as I knew exactly where to go having been there before and walk straight to the counter as there was no waiting line and get my passport stamped. I was on the bus again within two minutes which must be some kind of record and as there were only about two others onboard we were off again.

The moment of truth had arrived, I was at the Ecuador immigration office about to get my passport stamped to receive a visa again for 90 days. I has wondered whether it would present any difficulties as I had just left Ecuador 2 days prior having been there three months (90 days). There was none. My passport was stamped without any questions and without handing over any money. All was well and they only thing before me now was the longs bus ride home.