Our last few days in Cuenca were CARNIVAL! Thursday night was the kick-off party downtown, to which we brought our raincoats. Different countries/areas have different traditions (obviously) and in Ecuador Carnival means water: water balloons, water guns, pushing each other in fountains, etc etc. A few years ago some kids in Cuenca started putting dye in the water and as usual they spoiled it for everyone. Water is now discouraged (although still present), and now the big thing are foot-tall cans of bubbles. Or more like a cross between bubbles and shaving cream. They call …
Chordeleg and Cajas National Park
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On Monday I wandered around the city in the morning while Mom was at her first day of Spanish classes! When she got out we headed to the bus station to catch a local bus to the town of Chordeleg. The bus station is surprisingly chaotic for an otherwise orderly city, but after asking three attendants we were directed to the correct bus, paid 10 cents to get through the turnstile, and then 75 cents each for the 45 minute ride.
Chordeleg is known for its silver jewelry, and for good reason. The bus dropped …
Ecuador: Continent #5!
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I made it to my fifth continent in 12 months! Now if I can score a job in Antarctica I could make it to all seven…. Kidding (Mostly)
After my ridiculous travel day, I did finally make it to Quito at 5 in the morning. I got a taxi from the airport (which was very well organized and secure, given my warnings about taxi drivers in Quito pulling out weapons and demanding all your valuables) to the hostel where my Mom was staying. After about ten minutes of “who is your mother? What is her name? …
Mayan Riviera
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I’ll start this post by saying that at the moment, I feel exhausted. I’ve been sick with a headcold for over a week, I haven’t been hungry in days, and found out recently that due to a miscommunication (and admittedly a big lack of diligence on my part) the few sentimental things I had collected on my trip were thrown out or given away (some will hopefully/possibly be retrieved, I’m not sure) (I should also note it has caused my friend a ton of stress too, which makes it even worse). I dropped my ipod …
Volcanos and Vows
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I apologize for taking so long to write an update! After my last post I did indeed gather a group to hike up San Pedro Volcano at sunrise. We arranged a tuk tuk the night before to pick us up at 4 am and drive us to San Pedro. Six of us crammed into the tiny tuk tuk (me hanging out next to the driver, literally), dodging potholes and appreciating the stars.
The hike went without hiccup, although it took us all longer than we expected! We started the hike around 5, at 6 we got …