Guayaquil from Cuenca

yes a beautiful drive

ice cream.. yummy.

Last night was exhausted after hiking in the rain and being soaked then having to wait for the bus and hanging out with a drunk Ecuadorian couple.  They were quite entertaining and there was a small fireplace with a tired fire going.

Justin and I made a great dinner.  As has been the case with our dinners we use what ingredients are available without wanting to purchase too many ingredients and spices and things to carry.  The lentils with potatoes and some spices and banana came out great.  The banana melted into the sauce and made it a little sweet. 

Today I woke up and walked around Cuenca for the last time and bought fresh baked sweets, a brownie a cream puff etc and fresh bread straight from the oven and before I left I saw a woman with a cooler and everyone crowded around.  She was selling ice cream on a stick for 25 cents each I bought one with 3 different fruit flavors and then proceeded to buy 2 more!!!  hmm definitely working on gaining some.. umm.... heft.  I then took the bus ride (4 hours) to Guayaquil.  The ride was beautiful in the beginning driving through Cajas national park again and being above the clouds... then we got in the clouds and I had to take a nap cause I was in the first seat and the driver was basically driving blind cause the clouds were so thick.  Now in Guayaquil and going to relax at the hostel because its is so hot and humid here and Guayaquil is supposed to not have anything interesting so I will catch up on reading and actually look at the spanish textbook I have been lugging around with me and havent cracked open.  Off to Monoloco lodge tomorrow!!!

Cajas national park

the park

the forests

in the forests

yes it snowed or hailed on the hike

llama poop, piles and piles of it

llamas

Hiked around cajas national park today. It was beautiful. So glad I went out even though it did rain for an hour or two and I got soaked it was beautiful with grasses and lakes and trees at aroun 4000 meters! I was out if breathe (I blame the altitude, not being out of shape) got fresh hot croissant out of the oven this morning from the bakery then took the hour bus ride to the park. Only a $2 admission and we only saw two other groups of 2/3 people the whole day! The park was well kept with nicely marked trails and a good bilingual map and visitor center. We saw birds lama fish jumping and odd trees that grow at high altitudes.
Tomorrow I get ready to go to an ecolodge

Cuenca exploring

Explored Cuenca yesterday. Walked sound pumapungo, historical ruins right in the city. It is a fantastic museum owned by the bank with a wonderful garden. Went to another museum of aborigines. Went to the market. The view from tue top floor of the place we are staying is amazing and overlooks the city. Soo many places to get fresh bread and croissants. I will definitely come home fat. Made hot chocolate with rum and milk last night that was like mousse it was so thick and creamy. Saw a march for water here in the city. The city is so clean that at the end of the march there was a group of people with trash bags and brooms. Today going to the cajas national park. Tomorrow have to leave for my next destination.
Ecuador has the hot water on the right and the cold on the left, dunny little differences.

Cuenca

Arrived in Cuenca today. Went for a homeade local beer at a brewery but it wasn't very good. Tomorrow exploring the city. We took the bus during the day because it's supposed to be a beautiful ride but it was cloudy and rainy. Though the few views that we could see were beautiful. Long ride so I am tired now. Cuenca is over 2300 meters elevation. So most of the ride we were in the clouds.

Last day in banos

Off to a new city. Going to Cuenca to
Tomorrow with a stop in rio bamba. Goodbye banos I hope I come back to visit all the wonderful people I met. Planning to stay in Cuenca for a few days, then going to stay monoloco lodge which is one hour outside of guaquil on the coast.

Food

More on food. While the food at the restaurants is often loaded with carbs (for example I had a plate of pasta served with rice and French fries). But the market are full of wonderful fresh vegetables and fruits, the variety is incredible. You can make dinner for a few dollars.I tried guinea pig today. It's acommon dish here but it's actually expensive. My friend and I split a guinea pig at the market, yes a whole roasted gun pig including the head. It was $5. Though at a restaurant we were told it's 15 which I believe is more than the average workers daily wage.

Baths

I am stayin at the foot of a volcano and am at 1800 meters so the volcano is often in the clouds. I woke at 5am to go to the hot water bath from the volcano. It was lovely. I felt great after. The past two mornings were rainy and I didn't want to walk the dogs but the walk was beautiful with the coulda floating over the lush green mountains it was truly breathtaking and I was wishing I had my camera. I will stay the weekend here to do some hike and scenic walks an take my first Spanish class. But will be leaving next Monday to try a new farm.