Olón Inspirations
Updated: Jun 26
By Ted Klubinski
Maria del Carmen Montesdeoca
I had the pleasure meeting Maria del Carmen Montesdeoca, Co Founder/Treasurer of Punto Verde Central Ambiental y Cultural, when purchasing raffle tickets for one of the many fundraisers she supports and coordinates. Maria is an inspired dynamo who tirelessly works to preserve and protect the culture and environment of Olón. Originally an abandoned home donated to the community by the Minister of Environment, Punto Verde is now a pristine, refurbished facility that houses a library, theater, office space, and outdoor area. Plays, concerts, cinema, art exhibitions, English, art and music classes, and even Arabic dancing are available for locals and expats spanning all ages.
Recent workshops at the center have included learning how to protect and save the sea turtles in this fragile ecosystem, bilingual music, dance, theater, story-telling, painting and more for children. Punto Verde is a vital resource enabling diverse communities to come together and share the evolving culture that is Olón.
Maria and her husband Rodolfo are also the proprietors of The Sea Garden House, which is an enchanting accommodation that includes eleven rooms and a cozy tree house for guests. Open-air spaces and flowering, tropical gardens surround the Sea Garden House and its full-service restaurant.
Chris Brokate
If you are looking to purchase land, a home, or rent an apartment, Chris Brokate is an agent along with his brother Gerald, the owner at Ecuador Properties Olón. Chris has been passionate about a trash-free environment since coming to Ecuador from Sonoma County, California where he founded the Clear River Alliance, which spearheaded the removal of 750 tons of garbage and debris from the Russian River watershed.
