47 magazine - issue5

pánico
Sound Synestesias
draco and the zodiac
Ecuadorian Indie Rock
MARÍA OCHOA argüello
Theater and Puppets
king SELEKTOR
A World of Rythms
PAMELA
PINTO
Surreal Visual Dreams
Andean devils
THE PATH OF THE NOMAD
to be alive
ECUADOR
issue n°5 | english
art / music / culture / travel / lifestyle

asicpropaganda
www.basicpropaganda.com

ECUADOR
Staff
founders:
Juan Casco
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Graphic Designer
Visual artist / Typographer
JuanCascoArt
Omar Coloma
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Photographer / filmmaker
Head music reporter
OmarColomaFoto
OmarColomaEc
Alejandra Tapia
SENIOR WRITER
Actress / Enviroment
and Political activist.
writers:
Emilia Trujillo
music & lifestyle
Journalist and
Radio Broadcaster
La Tetera de Cobre
Rodrigo Heredia
ecuadorian culture
Gastronomer and
cultural reporter.
Hanan Pacha
Harold Granda
concerts & festivals
Musician / photographer
ArnouxBand
harold_arnoux
guest writers
ENGLISH ISSUE:
daria
krauzo
DariaKrauzo
KAYLA VANDERVORT
HEAD EDITOR
Cultural investigative reporter
/ Photographer
/kkvandervort
ALEXIS MARURI
Parafernalia
miguel vargas
aSSISTANT EDITOR
lmiguelvargasf
47 Magazine © 2015- 2018.
The reproduction and total or partial distribution of
this issue is forbidden without the authorization of
the publisher. Phone: +593 0992861321.
47magazine
47ecuador
ANA MISCOLTA
aSSISTANT EDITOR
Ana Miscolta

Contents
Sound Synesthesias
Pánico
Ecuadorian Indie Rock
Draco and the Zodiac
A World of Rythms
King Selektor
Surreal Visual Dreams
Pamela Pinto
The Path of the Nomad
Kayla Vandervort
Theater and Puppets
María Ochoa Argüello
Syncretism
Andean Devils
To be alive
Daria Krauzo

small city, big views
PASTAZA, ECUADOR
www.puyo.city
vacilapuyocity

ADVERTISE WITH 47 magazine
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Edıtorial
We are very excited to release our first
English edition of 47 Magazine to our
readers. Our stories are about global
music, art, culture, travel, and lifestyle.
Discover the world with us.
Juan casco
editor in chief
Please check our past issues (in Spanish only)

EXPERT NATURAL WINE SELECTIONS
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Pánico
Sound Synεsthεsias
Interview by
Alejandra Tapia

Pánico is an alternative music
and visual project based in
Quito by musician and visual
artist Sebastián Valbuena.
Sebastian was inspired by the author William
Burroughs and the story of Pan, the Greek god
Panic.
Everything is permitted because nothing is true. It is
all make-believe, illusion, dream...ART. When art
leaves the frame and the written word leaves the
page - - not merely the physical frame and page, but
the frames and pages of assigned categories - - a
basic disruption of reality itself occurs: the literal
realization of art.
The creatures of all your dreams and nightmares are
right here, right now, solid as they ever were or ever
will be, electric vitality of careening subways faster
faster faster stations flash by in a blur.
-William S. Burroughs
Sebastian was fascinated with the idea that art
directly affects life; like how paintings jump out
of their frames and reach the viewer’s eyes and
come to life. Whether he was experiencing the
brightness of dawn or the darkness of night, he
felt the terrors and strong emotions that were
his own living art; his own way of seeing the
world every day.
Sebastian then realized his project had a name:
Pánico.

"I do not put limits on music.
I follow what interests me,
When the song said what it had to say,
it ends and I start another one "
Discovering Pánico for the first time may
be disconcerting whether you like it or
not. Without realizing it, you are already
part of an image, where you have lost
yourself in a face or shadow of
animations.
Sebastian´s voice demonstrates the
inheritance of silence and solitude of his
compositions.
When you close your eyes to Pánico’s
music, you listen in black and white. The
depth of these sounds invades you.
Sebastian does not tell stories, but
prefers to interpret concepts,
atmospheres and sensations.
For example, I can not get out of my
mind the picture of the rain and the cat)
from the video: “No pude ir a la fiesta”

An Iνterview with Pánico
How do you work with
different type of arts at
the same time?
Fusing different types of art
occurred naturally for me. When I
was in school I always drew, and
music was always self-taught.
These arts are my passion, they
free me. I think the project is a bit
eclectic because it has different
ways of demonstrating lyrics,
sounds and images.
Always being conscious of a
budget. I worked with these
different art forms the most
efficiently I could.
After two years as the band Pánico, you came
back to your solo project, tell us about this
process.
It was very gratifying to be able to receive the energy of
the public, that they knew our songs, one day they even
gave us a comic of us. Playing in the band helped me
about my song writing however I came to the point
where I got stuck. I was not composing anymore and
made the decision of do it solo, and now I have a little
more freedom from the pressures of self-management,
this was keeping me from creating my artist flow.
So I realized, when something gets stuck, it is necessary
to return to the origin of your art to create new things to
say.

"Although it is difficult to
overcome the nerves on
stage, it is important to be
honest: I am here, I have
something to say"
What stage are you now?
I am working on covers from
popular Ecuadorian music. I am
revitalizing songs that have
similar lyrics and themes. “Vasija
de Barro” I felt there was
something of mine there. I am
adding new arrangements to this
song.
Sebastian plays live concerts with
acoustic music and as a guest
artist. Pánico will be releasing the
new album "Señales" produced
by an independent record label.

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draco and
the zodiac
Ecuadorian Indie Rock
Interview by Harold Granda
Photography by Pablo Naranjo
motasjr
www.pnaranjo.com

“Draco and the Zodiac is the concept of a
dream formed by the singer and composer
Charlie Andrew Pride, the guitarist and
designer Albert Hairson and the guitarist
Adrian Peraliz.
A dream which is interpreted as indie rock ,
where they subtly found contrast between
elaborated melodies, minimalistic
atmospheres ,and energetic rhythms.
Sentimental Lyrics and modern illustrations,
combined with the rhythm, seeks to create a
catharsis that connects the body and the mind
to the deligh of the senses”
Released in Ecuador for the first time in 2015,
with their first EP “beyond the white”
In March of 2018 Draco and The Zodiac
played as guest band in the Maroon Five
concert in Quito.

Charlie
Albert
Adrian

Why the name “Draco and the Zodiac”?
Charlie and I (Albert) both like videogames, fantasy,
and especially dragons, so we decided to use "Draco"
from the Latin word for dragon, and Zodiac. for us
means our spiritual and mystical interests.
We also think “Draco” as a kind of ship and “Zodiac” is
about the universe and its different characters and
possibilities.

What has inspired the
music that you make?
We have many influences ranging
from classic rock, modern rock,
music soundtracks and latin
rhythms. For classic rock we are
influenced by Deep Purple,
AC/DC, and Muse.
Modern artists we admire are
The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and
Lana del Rey. Being latinos, we
also took an interest in learning
more about salsa and Ecuadorian
pasillo.
What is the inspiration to
write your songs?
We want to make your songs
meaningful to anyone who's
listening . We sing about themes
that everyone can relate to.

Why Ecuadorian Indie
music in English?
For us it is not a question of
language. Our objective is for
our music to not only remain
here in Ecuador, but transcend
around the world.
When will the first album
come out?
Hopefully soon. The music
tracks are recorded but we are
still working on visual art as well
as the cover. Apart from this, we
are in the process of in making a
music video. We feel strongly
that we provide a whole
experience; visually and
musically.

InteractivE VIDEO
GET IN ON

ISHKAY PACHA
By Nina Gualinga
2018 collection
Indigenous women in the Amazon are the
guardians of art for the future generations.
We all are custodians of the planet. The HAKHU
project aims to support indigenous based
community projects as a way to fight against fossil
fuel extraction by providing fair sustainable income
to women in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
www.hakhu.net /hakhuwomen /hakhuamazon

a world of RHYTHMS
Photography by Italo Flores
Interview by Juan Casco
Translation by Ana Miscolta

How did you become an artist?
My dad inspired me to get into music. I have memories of
being at his rehearsals for a folklore group he played in,
and that’s when I fell in love with instruments. Then in
school I would just fool around with the instruments
because I didn’t know how to play them yet. Wanting to
learn, I studied music and music production in Quito and
Ambato. I played with some bands (Wisto d’mente, Los
Kestamos, Txk, Acido Kapital, Noise Machine, Colektivo
Soniko), playing different instruments and I’ve also been a
DJ in the Kamikaze battles and with several artists from
the hip hop and Ecuadorian reggae scenes. We are
currently producing some songs with the Puyu Rap
Company that will come out later this year.
My current project is King Selektor, which was born out
of Colektivo Soniko. In Colektivo Soniko we played ska
reggae and a few other genres in a local bar, and from
there I started getting into song selection. I’ve been a DJ
now for about 5 years.

What made you become a Dj?
I needed to. Really, one thing led
to another. I worked in bars for a
long time in Puyo, in Zion and
Tijuana, and I went from making
drinks to putting on the music.
This is how King Selektor was
born. These days I don’t only play
in bars... I’ve been invited to play
in concerts and festival after
parties and that’s the kind of thing
I like to do.
Tell us about your role
as King Selektor
With the “King” I try to provide
the best music. I always try to find
songs that I know will make me
feel something when I listen to
them, and of course I give them a
personal touch. Without that
personal touch anyone could be a
DJ. I also like to create my own
Riddims and once in a while I rap
to them, or invite an MC friend to
do some freestyle. Lately I’ve been
experimenting with Tech House,
Nu Disco, Downtempo, Indie
Dance, and a few others, which I
play a lot.

What inspires you?
Who are your influences?
Well, hard question. Music
inspires me. I think there is a lot
to listen to and with technology,
the music gets very creative.
Everything influences me. I’m a
real music lover, I listen to many
things everyday and get my sets
and remixes from them.
What defines your
sound, beats and flavor ?
Maybe the variety of music that I
listen to. I always look for out of
the ordinary rhythms or new
styles, I like avant-garde sounds
and more than anything, music
that sounds global. I like how
sounds are universal and can be
enjoyed everywhere.
What’s next for you?
In the future, I’ll be collaborating
with different artists from Puyo
and Ecuador. I have some new
songs coming out with the Puyu
Rap Company, which I’m a DJ
for. I also plan to release some
singles as a soloist.

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Pamela Pinto
Surreal Visual Dreams
pamelapintoart
Interview by Juan Casco
Translation by Miguel Vargas

Pamela Pinto Rojas was
born in Machala in
1986, she has lived the
last 13 years in Quito.
She studied Industrial
Graphical Design at
Universidad de las
Américas (UDLA).
How did you get started
in visual art?
I think that everything happened
because I wanted to leave my
comfort zone leaving behind
what I was used to. I got
accustomed to seeing hundreds
of designs, graphics of all kinds,
and stuff that I had had no
experience. I studied graphic
design, and I had just graduated
from university, so I started to
watch tutorials and to design.
Then, I guess this was the
beginning.
What is the importance
of visual art for cinema,
music and theater?
I have worked with several
musicians. I haven’t worked in the
cinema and theater fields, but I
believe that all kind of art can
reach people and inspire them
somehow.

What inspires you?
Everything inspires me, or almost
everthing, such as seeing the
dawning, hugging my dog, the
love for people, nature, animals
and music, and so on.
What are the elements that
you use in your collages
and compositions?
Basically, I use almost every
image I find. In several of my
collages I have used images of
the space, the Earth, the moon,
animals. my colleagues are
blinkered with nature and the
world. However, there is nothing
specific I use. It depends on what
I am doing, the idea that I come
up with, and how I am feeling.

What are the most
important projects in which
you have worked?
I don’t want to specify any project
because all of them have been
very important for me and they
have changed my life somehow.
All projects I have worked have
allowed me to learn and
experience something new.

“Vagary”
“Bravery”

“Noche”
“Mundos”

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T H E P A T H O F T H E N O M A D
photography by:
KAYLA VANDERVORT

Norheast Coast
UNITED STATES
Rincón
Cahuita
PUERTO RICO
COSTA RICA
T H E P A T H
Santa Elena
ECUADOR
Quyllurit'i
PERÚ
Isla del Sol
BOLIVIA
Puerto Cisnes
CHILE

“By nature
being nomad
is human”
KAYLA VANDERVORT
Northeast Atlantic Ocean
Growing up near the Jersey Shore and living on the coast
of Maine, I always find myself gravitating to the ocean.
The Atlantic northeast is vast in personality offering wild
fall and winter swells, and water so cold that will instantly
refresh your soul and body. In contrast to the turquoise
warm Caribbean sea, the Atlantic northeast offers a
darker more mysterious view. While free diving in the cold
water, beds of seaweed will embrace you, while fish and
seals will watch you curiously.

Rincón
P U E R T O R I C O
The flavor and warmth of
Puerto Rico welcomed me to
immerse myself in its natural
beauty and culture. Every
Saturday, sitting on the
boardwalk overlooking the
Caribbean, I joined a local
group of drummers to jam to
the local rhythms of rumba and
bomba. Our group consisted
of local drum legends and
beginners like myself. It didn’t
matter how experienced or
good you were, we were just
there to enjoy playing one
vibration in sync with the
Caribbean Sea that calmly
danced beside us.
With these rhythms set in my body,
I learned to love and learn from the
ocean in a new perspective. When
free diving or surfing, the waves
that rolled above, taught me to be
not afraid for the challenges that
come my way. In fact, the view from
below a wave is one of the most
amazing images.

Cahuita
C O S T A R I C A

The rhythms of Costa Rican Calypso
Limonese fill the streets at night by
Calypso legends in Cahuita. This
small fishing village is home to a
cultural expression descended from
African roots, where the narrative
has continued to give a glimpse of
everyday life for the past 90 years.
This special narrative is sang in
Creole focusing on storytelling,
humor, and witty rhymes that are
accompanied by irresistible beats to
dance.
Junior Alvarez
Calypso Legend
When listening to these
Calypso lyrics, I hear a
common message that no
matter what happens in life,
we can still choose to live
happily. I had a lot of luck
being ask to participate in
documenting Calypso
Limonese Music for Crespial
UNESCO, as part of an
initiative to safeguard this
invaluable narrative.

Puerto Cisnes
Patagonia C H I L E

Puerto Cisnes is a small
fishing village in Patagonia,
Chile. The closest town of
Puyuhuapi lies almost two
hours from the the isolated
seaport. Views of unending
glaciers and ocean take over
through the horizon. Just
outside of town you can walk
into the Enchanted Forest
where you begin in the lush
green fairy-tale like forest.
Two hours later, you can
climb up some steep rocks
where you will be engulfed
by a crystalline glacier lake
In front of Puerto Cisnes lies
Isla Magdalena and unending
fjords they connect to the
Pacific Ocean. Here in this
region, you can witness so
much untouched beauty.

Isla del Sol
Titicaca Lake B O L I V I A

Elvira told me of a time
when her ancestors lived
harmoniously with the lake,
fishing with many varieties
of fish that fed the island.
She told me that the trout
that lives in the lake now,
was introduced by the
Spanish conquistadores,
and a lot of native species
were then wiped out.
Another day her sister Rita
read me her poetry which
transmits the essence of La
Isla Del Sol and it’s culture.
Her father played the flute
while her sister Elvira
danced to her ancestors
rhythms and movements.
Lago Titicaca is a magical and energetic
lake, said to be the largest in South
America. Here I was trapped on La Isla del
Sol for 2 weeks, not having the ability to
leave the island due to a blockade. This
unexpected event led me to befriend a
local Aymara family who shared with me
their joys and pains of life living on the
Island. One day while teaching my new
friend Elvira how to swim, we sat in the calm
water looking out in the vast abyss.
LAGUNA COLORADA
In the Southwest Altiplano of Bolivia, there lies a shallow salt
lake filled with Andean flamingos. The colors of the altiplano
are so perfectly placed between the mountains and the lake.

Quyllurit'i
P E R Ú

Pilgrimage and tradition
A religious pilgrimage in Sinakara
Valley that celebrates an ancestral
tradition. Making this pilgrimage is
a great deal of mental and physical
strength due to the locations
isolation and high altitude. In
pre-Colombian times, the festival of
Qoyulluriti (Snow Star in Quechua),
was celebrated at the
reappearance of the Pleiades
Constellation in the sky, and also a
around the full moon. This was a
time for bringing things back to
order.
As a dancer for the Capac Negro
group, I never let my energy rest as
we danced for 3 days. The rhythms,
music and dancing continue
without ever ending all day and all
night. The days passed sunny and
warm, while night brought freezing
temperatures at an altitude nearing
5000 meters. A long list of other
dance groups, representing other
cultural dances from different
regions, wait in a never ending line
to dance and show respect for Lord
Qoyulluriti.
This festival is an interesting fusion
of old and new, pre-Colombian
and later influenced by the church.
Pilgrims come from all over to
either pray and receive energy
from the sacred rock with an image
of crucified Christ, or they came to
receive the blessings of the sacred
mountain. At the end of the day, I
see that both reasons can
ultimately be considered the same.
The pilgrimage that brings
everyone together, sharing the
same energy and hopes for a
fruitful year to come.

Santa Elena Coast
E C U A D O R

Rescuing Ancestral Sounds
On the coast, the ancestral
rhythms of Marimba are being
reconstructed with guadua
bamboo with the local community
in the province of Santa Elena.
Young students, professional
musicians, volunteers, and
bamboo constructors are coming
together with the focus of cultural
revival on the coast.
Ayampe

@ecuadorecoadventure
www.ecuadorecoadventures.com
Ecuador Eco Adventure® , founded in 2006, offers
specialists in ecotourism and environmentally
sustainable trips in Ecuador. We take adventure
seekers as far away from the beaten track to some of
the most remote and beautiful places on the planet.

ADVENTURE BUCKET LIST
ECUADOR
GALAPAGOS ISLAND HOPPING
HORSEBACK RIDING / TREKKING & CAMPING
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OUR MISSION:
Practice socially responsible tourism so that it benefits everyone rather than a select few.
Encourage a cross cultural exchange that forms life long friendships
Increase awareness of the effects of climate change on the environment
Defend the environment through land restoration projects and grassroots environmental
activism.

María
Ochoa
Argüello
Theater and Puppets
Interview by Alexis Maruri
Translation by Miguel Vargas

Yes, we can live from art, and we can learn. It is possible
to be young and an entrepreneur. Yes, we can love and
travel with our imagination. This is how María Ochoa’s
lifestyle is briefly described when she is in front of a table
between the magic feeling that is provided by the
characters that live inside and outside of her. For every
state of the soul, she has a puppet or a small doll that she
calls “mampuchos”. In addition, she is the founder of a
theater group called “Deconstructive Theater of the
Elephant Man”.
/teatrodeconstructivo

How do you share your art?
You can use art to express and share without taboos and fears.
However, you can share not only love, that is something beautiful
that we have, but also our negative nature.
Why did you choose theater as a tool to build
freedom?
I did because I can be whatever I want. A painter will always be a
painter, a musician will always be a musician, but an actress can a
different character every time, and she can also talk through the
characters about stuff she would never be caught dead doing.
What is the definition of deconstructive theater?
Well, my project is called Deconstructive Theater of the Elephant
Man for many reasons. Deconstructive comes originally from
philosophy, but later it was taken by architecture. Basically, the
idea says that if I have an object, and this object can be
fragmented, these fragments can build another object changing
the order and deconstructing reality, and so the art.
Who is María Ochoa?
I am still discovering her. I think that she is made of many things. I
would like to be braver.

La máquina de hacer mampuchos
“Mampuchos”, Do you create them as
beings with feelings and their own
qualities?
Yes, it is incredible how their personalities take shape. It
is like they were alive. Mampucho is a word which is
translated as rustic.
What materials do you use to make them?
I use basic stuff such as wire, featherbed, paper mache,
porcelain, acrylics, enamel, cloth and wool. Every
mampucho is made of all of these, so this is a long
process.

Why did you like this kind of plastic
art?
Everything started because of my love for
goblins. My dad brought me some figurines of
goblins from Argentina, and then I started to
make them by myself. They ones I made were
very different, and they were made with different
materials than the figurines. I used to made just
goblins and witches until I got bored. I stopped
making them for many years, but at university I
took a class about puppets, so I felt the need of
starting again from scratch creating new
characters. I have some plays in which I have
merged my mampuchos and my passion for the
theater. In addition, I have created an exclusive
course called “The Machine to Make
Mampuchos” which is part of a small company I
have.
How long do you spend making a
mampucho?
It is a process that takes some time because I use
materials that must be dry before continuing.
The cost of each mampucho has a range
between $5 and $130 approximately. In addition,
the time also it depends upon the size of each
mampucho. For example, I need 4 days to make
a small mampucho, while 15 for a big one.
Working as a player in the theater
and making mampuchos, can you
state that you can live from art?
Yes, but it requires lots of effort and creativity.

If you were hired to make theater which goal
is to promote a political campaign, would
you do it?
Yes, I would. I have a bachelor's degree in arts, so it is
part of my daily work. Once I worked in a play which was
promoting feminism, and I am not a feminist, but as I
told you, this is my job.
Do you have any advice?
To the young people, do not be afraid of trying
everything. Try new experiences both good and bad,
but never get stuck on them. Dream really big, but never
forget about reality because if you have dreams as initial
inspiration you can achieve big things.

SYNCRETISM:
ANDEAN
DEVILS
by Rodrigo Heredia
LOS DIABLOS DE LATA
DIABLADA DE PILLARO
Translation by Ana Miscolta

Ecuador is known for its folk festivals and
its syncretism between Andean cultures
and Catholicism, a cultural fusion visible in
the celebrations of Kapak Raymi, with
Diablos de Lata in the province of
Chimborazo and Diablada de Pillaro in
the province of Tungurahua.
Kapak Raymi is a traditional Incan festival
that celebrates the summer solstice in the
southern hemisphere. During the festival
the town comes together to thank Tayta
Inti (the Sun God) for the beginning of a
new harvest.

DIABLOS DE LATA
(Tin devils)
Chimborazo Province
The celebrations in Kapak Raymi
in Chimborazo revolve around the
figure of the devil. Although there
exist many variations, Diablo de
Lata is special. This devil moves
elegantly, following the rhythm of
the pingullo (Andean wind
instrument) and the drum.
The locals see this figure as a good
devil.
In contrast to other Ecuadorian
traditions where the devil
represents a defiance against
Christianity imposed by European
colonialism, this devil in Pillaro
honors and reveres baby Jesus.
The celebration of Diablo de
Lata dates back to 1779 in the
parish of Cacha in Chimborazo.
The tradition spread to the area
of Santa Rosa, a tin-making
district, where the tin-makers,
wanting to honor Jesus in their
work, replaced the traditional
cardboard mask with one made
of red and white tin and a tied
braid.

DIABLADA DE PILLARO
(Devil of Pillaro)
Tungurahua Province
The Diablada of Pillaro is a folk
celebration that has grown in
popularity over the last decade.
According to the legend, in
colonial times, indigenous people
dressed up as devils in rejection
of the Catholic church and of the
physical, moral, psychological
and economic abuse by the
Spanish.
The Diablada of Pillaro, one of
the most popular festivals in
Ecuador, represents a liberation
from the rigid norms imposed by
the Catholic Church.
Participants, of any age or origin,
dress up as devils and join the
procession, which lasts up to
eight hours. These days, it’s
common to see hundreds of
tourists intermixed with locals in
the celebrations. Though the
origin of the Diablada de Pillaro is
still disputed, many believe that
in old times peasants dressed up
as devils during the celebration
of the new year, feeling a sense of
brethren with the hated figure
due to their class position within
society. Since then, the devil
figure has transformed into a
symbol of wit and charisma.

To be alive
by Daria Krauzo
They say home is where the heart is
But my heart is wild and free
So am I homeless or just heartless
Getting up in the morning to see
the sunset over the Caribbean
Sea from the only Maya’s temple
close to the water, is as surreal as
magic. We joined a festival in the
jungle, organized between the
trees and crystalline Cenotes for
two days. Merida and Bacalar
followed with their different
flairs and gifts. After jumping
into the Laguna of 7 colours and
running away from Cancun,
Guatemala surprised me with a
breathtaking nature.
I started 2018 standing barefoot
on the beach in Tulum, looking
at the ocean and breathing in
the salty air. Mexico, in general,
resulted to be just glorious.
People are unbelievably helpful
and warm, they receive you in
their houses and share so many
smiles and stories, without any
expectation. The coast close to
Tulum seems to be nothing less
but paradise.

The trip to the volcano Acatenango is
surely an unforgettable experience.
You walk up during the day and sleep
in a tent on about 3800m of altitude.
At night the temperature falls under
zero, but frequent explosions of lava
and magic dust that you can see just
on the opposite side of the mountain
can compensate (almost) any level of
coldness. You can see all the stars and
hear the volcano coughing out the
fire and making the earth you sit on
tremble every now and then.
At 4 a.m. it is time to get up in a
complete darkness and start the
climb to the top, just about to reach
4000m. You fight with a steep slope
covered with volcanic dust and
stones, making two steps forward,
one step back. And just before the
sunrise, you make it to the top, the
wind reaches 80km/h, the
temperature remains below zero. You
are freezing and the sun comes up
slowly, in its own rhythm. You stand
above the clouds and all the brilliant
mixtures of orange and pink colours
on the sky, perfectly created only for
you by Mother Nature that morning,
give you goosebumps.
One of many explosions that night.
The photo was taken by Felix Bruns.
Days pass too fast when
you feel endlessly free and
gloriously alive. Nights are
too short when you get
few hours of sleep in the
cheapest hostel or a
couch-surfing sofa. Nature
is overwhelming when it is
so pure. Life is brilliant
when all you have are your
backpack and an extra
package of wild curiosity.
I am 24 years old and I am free. I walk fast
and I love life. I’ve been through sorrow and
hard things, as all of us, but when I sit on the
top of a mountain with a turquoise lake
below my feet. I certainly believe that
simply being alive is a grand thing.

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TAYOS
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Pastaza, Ecuador
LODGING / GASTRONOMY
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