Rhianna Banana

Here are some pictures of the town where I live, Valle Hermoso. This is a view of Rio Blanco, and the bridge you cross to enter Valle Hermoso. I´ve seen some people cayaking and rafting on Rio Blanco. My friend Sonia and I went "bathing" in Rio Blanco once, though I wouldn´t recommend it, since the water is dirty and it smells like farm animals on some parts of the river. I took a shower immediately after my dip in the river!

I´m having lots of fun with the awesome zoom on my new camera. This is some bird, maybe a Pacific horneo(?) that Pierre and I saw in Valle Hermoso. Feel free to correct my identification!Here´s a tree loaden with epiphytes. Maybe someday I´ll be able to identify some of these tropical plants!
Pierre relaxing in a hammock at the "Race Track."
This isn´t really a race track, just a meadow that has the outlines of a track. This place hosts the Carnaval festivities in February. Come join me for the sexy bikini and wet t-shirt contests!

This picture illustrates one interesting aspect of life in coastal Ecuador: the importance of Christianity and the celebration, or maybe I should say, emphasis on sexuality. For those who can´t read Spanish, the first sign says: "Welcome to Carnaval at the Race Track cabanas, with the best courses. Wet t-shirts, sexy bikinis, prizes and surprises." The sign below says, "The church of Valle Hermoso invites you to the parties in honor of the virgin of the valley. . ." I wonder if the sign-hangers were trying to be ironic.
Another picture of the beach and Rio Blanco from the bridge.

posted by Unknown @ Monday, August 14, 2006