Intro

Today marked a necessary pause in the journey, a day off the bike in the heart of the Yawa Jee Reserve near Santa Ana. The usual rhythm of pedaling was replaced by a more grounded exploration of local life, and I started the day with a quiet sense of curiosity, wondering what new experiences this unexpected halt would bring. It felt good to let the legs rest, even if the mind was still keen to absorb.

Ride Overview

This was a designated pause day, meaning no kilometers were covered on two wheels. The weather was initially rainy, a soft, persistent drizzle that eventually gave way to a muggy afternoon. My surface for the day was mostly the worn cobblestones and earthy paths of Santa Ana, transitioning later to the paved roads leading to Shell. The day was less about physical distance and more about immersion in the community.

Highlights

With Carmen and David out early, the kitchen was unusually quiet, an unspoken invitation. I decided to make pancakes, a small luxury. Starting with three eggs, I carefully added flour spoon by spoon, estimating about 30g per spoon, and then milk, little by little, whisking continuously with a fork. I was genuinely pleased with the lump-free consistency. A pinch of salt, then into a small pan with butter. It was a slow process, baking them one by one, but the aroma filled the house.

Later, carrying a stack of warm pancakes, I headed to the market square where Carmen and her mother had been since the early hours. Their product display was truly impressive: over 90 species of jungle plants, framed by beautifully braided palm leaves shaped into an arch, adorned with colorful flowers and a prominent “Yawa Jee” sign. Their dedication paid off; Carmen’s team won first place in the production category, a testament to their week of tireless preparation. The whole event was lively, with a DJ and a commentator whose rolling ‘R’s added an authentic local flavor to the competition.

As the market wound down, I helped clean up Carmen’s area. After that, a spontaneous invitation led me to Shell with Ariana and her family. The plan was pizza, a welcome change from the market’s loud music. We ended up at a pizzeria decorated with red and white roses for Valentine’s Day – a reminder of Ecuador’s global role in rose export. The vegetarian pizza was delicious, and the conversation with Ariana flowed easily; it was nice to feel such genuine interest. By then, fatigue had truly set in after the long day, and I was incredibly grateful when Ariana’s grandmother offered me a bed for the night, saving me the journey back to Santa Ana.

Lowlights

By the time the evening drew to a close, a deep weariness had settled in. Observing the week of intense effort Carmen and her team had poured into their display, I couldn’t shake a quiet sense of disproportion between the prize’s material value and the sheer dedication it represented. It wasn’t a major setback, but a subtle reminder of the often-unseen costs behind such vibrant community events.

Overnight

I stayed at Ariana’s grandmother’s house in Shell. This unexpected hospitality was a true gift. After such a full and physically long day, the thought of finding a hotel or cycling back to Santa Ana was daunting. The offer of a comfortable bed in a warm home felt like a small, perfect sanctuary, a quiet culmination to a day rich in human connection.

Reflection

Today confirmed for me that some of the richest experiences on a long journey happen when the wheels aren’t turning. It was a day dedicated to people, to observing local customs, and to the profound generosity of strangers. It showed me the immense effort that goes into community life and the quiet strength of local traditions. My takeaway is simple: sometimes, the greatest strides are made when you’re standing still, opening yourself to the rhythms around you.

Route summary

• Date: 13.02.2026