Mike & Jane: Ecuador a ringing success

BJ Advertising Art retiree Mike Williams and wife Jane Spiess Williams came away from 77 days in Ecuador with awe at the country’s natural beauty, respect for the people and the culture and the ringing of car alarms in their ears.

Jane’s first husband was from Ecuador so she learned the language and the culture quite well while mingling with him and his family. Now she’s an ideal travel guide and interpreter for Mike.

When Mike retired in December 2012 after 44 years at the BJ, they headed for Ecuador. In January, they went back to Ecuador (Spanish for “the Equator”).

They met what Mike calls “ex-pats,” Americans living in Ecuador, including from Akron. And Canadians and Brits.

And Jane again had to deal with altitude sickness, which is a lot worse than and far more dangerous to your health that seasickness. They spent most of their time in Cuenca, at 8,400 feet above sea level. And a visit to Ingapirca rises to 10,000 feet. The Andes are beautiful, but there’s a price if you go too high too soon.

Bus rides were an adventure, too, once the vehicle showed up at all. They also got to Quito, Ecuador’s capital.

Mike and Jane strolled along the Yanuncay River, which flows from the Cajas Mountains. Walking in Ecuador, as in West Virginia, is mostly uphill, and a lot steeper than in America’s Mountain State. And where streets give up the ghost, there are hundreds of steps for people to huff and puff and climb farther.

There’s plenty of music in the air in Ecuador, along with the sounds of car alarms. Apparently in Cuena the folks set their car alarms so that a cat tip-toeing by can set them off. “From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.,” Jane said. “I can still hear them.”

Mike kept an extensive, daily diary of their trip, which I’m sure he’d be happy to email you, as he did me at my request. His email address is mikewms1@earthlink.net

Mike and Jane, married 25 years, have two sons, independent trucker Nathan Williams and chemical engineer Trevor Williams.

They plan to go back again, “only we’d like to stay longer next time,” Mike said.

To see the amazing photos of their 2.6-month sojourn, click on https://plus.google.com/photos/115483244393507838338/albums/5996359256332054545?banner=pwa