Vilcabamba, Ecuador... It's where we want to call home. (part 2)

     We arrived at Madre Tierra and upon stepping out of the taxi, we knew we were going to like this place! You could feel the sense of having just arrived at a place where people are really trying to connect to the earth and live in a sustainable way off of the land that they have available. We were greeted by the family dog upon reaching the top of the stairs and were instantly reminded of home...

     After settling in, we met the owners, Peter and Gail, and their family and really enjoyed hearing about all that they had done since purchasing the property and making the move. They had purchased old sugar cane fields across the road from them and were in the process of replenishing the soil and setting up two large organic gardens. We took a tour of the gardens which were being laid out to resemble a pair of butterfly wings. You could really see the design from the view point at the restaurant. In addition to the gardens there are several fruit trees growing all over the property. Peter told us that just about every day he is discovering new fruit trees. If someone spits out a seed, it WILL grow!

      After about a one block walk down the dirt road you reach the main paved street going into town. It is a short walk across the river and through the gates on the cobble stone road. It took us about 15 to 20 minutes to reach the town center, depending on how slow we walked and how often we had to just stop and take it all in. Pictures and video simply do not capture all of the beauty that surrounds you in Vilcabamba.

     When we reached the first of the buildings and actually begin our stroll down the streets of Vilcabamba, we couldn't help but notice how clean everyone kept their front door area. The streets and sidewalks were amazingly clean and a pure delight to just walk down...

     One of our favorite things to do was to just walk into the village center and sit at one of the outdoor tables, enjoy a nice beverage and just watching all of the seemingly happy people walking around enjoying near perfect weather, every single day! The village center was very well kept, with the church and the park being the center piece.

     Shar and I never stopped looking in amazement at all of the vegetation that was growing freely along the roadside. It seemed everywhere we looked there was a different fruit tree, or vegetation or simply a beautiful flower just growing on the road side, close to no one and just looking spectacular!

     Of course, after a nice walk into town, it was time to head back to Madre Tierra for some truly world class locally grown organic cuisine! It was incredible starting each day at the breakfast table, and as we were enjoying our morning cup of delicious locally grown coffee, we watched the staff coming up from the gardens with basket of fresh produce to be prepared for the days meals. It doesn't get any fresher than that!

      After experiencing the warmth and hospitality of the people of Vilcabamba, and eating some wonderful fresh grown fruits and vegetables at Madre Tierra, Shar and I are more convinced than ever, that this is where we want to call home. Vilcabamba is calling us and we intend to answer. We know now, for ourselves, that it can be done, and that this is the area where we want to make it happen.
     Thank you Raik at Izhcayluma and Peter, Gail and Kathleen at Madre Tierra for all of the warmth, friendliness and great stories that you shared with us on our visit. We look forward to seeing you all again real soon...