The kid with the big mop of hair (first picture below) reminds me of someone in the Bart Simpson cartoons. He is learning English, loves soccer and is in the friendly coastal village of Jama on the Jama River. Hotel rooms rent for $3-$5 and up. The mayor is very progressive, a real fire ball. In Ecuador and Peru many buildings and fences, like this split bamboo example, are painted with political slogans. Maybe they get a small fee from the candidates?

The boy beside the table of flowers (second picture) is mildly retarded, about 15 yrs, and he invited me to their squatters property near the Jama beach. They make split bamboo fences round the property to keep pigs and dogs out of the cassava and to keep hens and chicks in. The flowers are elevated above the vandalism of the hens. These people are very good and like to have visitors. I will bring a small present next time I visit.

The boy with orange hair (third picture) is shining shoes to make a bit of money on Sunday market morning in the wonderful green village of San Isidro. He has a rare genetic condition, with the red-orange hair and short fingers. Otherwise he is just fine and very friendly.

On Sunday morning the village is crawling with the tropical cowboys and their mules, horses and donkeys. Many cowboy essentials are bought and sold, tack, and hand rolled cigars for 10 cents. The cowboys work on grass and clay and they wear rubber not leather boots. The animals do not wear horseshoes at all. They are not necessary on soft ground.

San Isidro has an ancient earthen pyramid right in the middle of town and wonderful private collections of pre-Columbian ceramics. It is a pity that people are building on the pyramid. There is no money or push for a museum. Maybe you can help the municipality? There are vacant buildings that could be converted.

You can stay at the eco cabanas here for $5 a night, near the collegio of agriculture. A hamburger or milkshake in the evening goes for just 50 cents. San Isidro is about 1hr drive by bus from coastal San Vincente and Bahia and has a wonky suspension bridge over the Jama river.

The trees are festooned with iguanas!

I plan to be the first to tube down the Jama River in autumn 2008. Want to join me?