March 2019 - Mompiche

When I come back to the hostel after a surf session and go to my dorm to pick up some cash, I open my locker only to find it empty. A black hole. The lock had been tampered with. Most of my valuables - my laptop, credit cards, cash - were gone. I find myself with no more money to travel.

I leave Mompiche reluctantly and take a 16 hour bus ride to go all the way down to Cuenca, to pick up some cash my parents had sent to a Western Union, enough to last me for three weeks.

Thank god, I had insurance that refunded part of the amount a couple of months later.

Anger.

Feelings of injustice. Emptiness.

Tears, fear, all this money I had worked hard for, now gone.

But the days go by and these feelings quickly dissipate.

I surf, laugh and meet new friends.

You took my money, ladrón, but you couldn't take my joy away.