The glorious curves took me into a small town nestled in the tropical slopes of the Andes where a local pointed up at the lush hillside, saying “You see those avocado trees? Sometimes you can see bears right from the town, eating those fruits.” I stared at the hillside plot of trees, surrounded by forest, imagining a creature like one of the black bears I’ve seen in North Carolina, except with creamy markings on its face, encircling the eyes like eye-glasses, emerging from the forest edges to raid the cultivated avocados. . Transfixed on the hillside, I wondered how long I’d have to stare before this imagined vision manifested into reality. The local then turned his gaze back to the street and resumed walking. Moments later, I did too. . #motorcyclediaries #spectacledbears #ecuador https://www.instagram.com/p/CALK-0aBxqc/?igshid=1f2ma83one7pe