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It was 2015, leaving my homehome country was difficult but Ecuador seemed marvelous. I packed dreams, expectations, few dollars and travel 4days by bus to get to the incredible little town named Santa Marianita near Manta. I stayed in a "now called home to me" hostel THE DONKEY DEN GUESTHOUSE. This place, oh what a place! Filled with so many languages, nationalities, passion, culture and cats. And there was me a latin 31 year old unemployed female with so much hope and hunger for adventure. Took me a week to become the manager and 3 seconds to fall in love with the stunning beach in front of me and the acuarela rising every afternoon right out my window. I remember One day after few months working, my boss asked me if I wanted to do a little trip on my own to an Island two or three hours away, I thought it was tricky, then she said I worked too much and needed a little break from the madness. No longer after this conversation I was on the back of a truck on my way to san Lorenzo. I couldnt believe it! And then I had this magical moment on the road, that for me it was only possible in movies. Thousands and thousands of yellow little butterflies flying around me, around the truck all over the road, around the trees, on the way. It was like if God was telling me, you deserve this! Enjoy... The shinning bright yellow colors between the ray light of the sun if you look up the sky, the breeze hot, but refreshing going through my skin and the sound, that I still can't describe. As we arrived to the town went were notified that no boat was going to the island until next morning, at first was a big disappointment, and as the day went by I realized what I would have missed if I wouldn't stay for one extra day. It was a comforting day walking around the beach, looking at a football team play a friendly match, listening to funny stories from a couple sitting behind me while I was having dinner. Small thing sometimes aren't that small, and it took me a few years to understand that. The next day, I took a boat and for the first time in my life, I jumped into the open sea and went swimming into this amazing bird island. We spent the day walking and looking at different species, animals, plants and beautiful nature. What a hell a of trip, and not only to San Lorenzo but to Ecuador and Santa marianita, I had the opportunity to go to differents cities inside this country but nothing was like home, egg smelling breakfast I got used to every morning, to the cook I ended up calling mom, to these many incredible people I met from around the world that became my family and we still are, to the sound of the waves that worked as a lullaby every nigh. I am greatful for everything I learned and how much I grew. There I also met Ellen and Jim, they were the nicest American couple I've ever met, we became so close, and how couldnt we, we went through an earthquake together, we passed a tsunami alert together, we went collecting food and water for the homeless after this devastating tragedy, and then, after a while we started another adventure to Peru just the three of us. But that's another story!! For now I keep reminiscing the stories we shared and build around this lillte beach that moat people don't know, were half the community is foreign but kind and the local half is filled with so much loved, dedication, hard work and passion. I will never forget my Santa Marianita, I still dream with your colors, your peculiar sounds and the amazing memories we have together. You are part of my heart and my soul, now and always.