Just 3 days Left!

I can hardly believe it is almost time for me to say goodbye to Ecuador.  The last 1 week has been a whirlwind of fun, travel, incan ruins, an infected toe, fun, and some spanish help!  Last Tuesday, after fully recovering from the weekend of graduation parties, I set off for Cuenca-on a 5am bus.  But after a few hours of sleep-I woke up to the most beautiful scenery...once again I was being driven (too fast) down a twisty road in the middle of the Andes!  Totally spectacular.  On the side of the mountains are farms and houses and villages that seem impossible to get to.  I tried to take pictures but this was also impossible! 

Cuenca is the 3rd largest city and in my opinion the most beautiful.  Similar to Quito there is a church on every corner, but the city feels much more laid-back.  It is also small enough to walk around almost everywhere.  My first day there I took a bus to Banos, (a diff Banos) which is just outside of the city, to check out the geothermal pools.  La Piedra de Agua is where I went upon recommendation of the guy who checked me in at La Cigale (my hostel.)  It was the perfect way to pass the rest of the afternoon.  There is a long, shallow pool with warm water, a hotter tub next to it, and a cold dunk next to that.  I also got to try the mud treatment!  After chatting with the manager a bit I got a long standing offer to come back and do massage!  maybe?!?!    The next day were the Incan/Canary ruins which are really interesting.  There is too much history to get into but you should read about it :)   And that night I even made it too a yoga class!  A very nice vinyassa flow.  Unfortunely, I wasn't feeling too great at this point-maybe the altitude-maybe my sad infected toe, but I retired to my room at 8:30pm.  The rest of my time in Cuenca was spent enjoying the weather and relaxing.

 Oh yeah, And last weekend we went to the beach for Rogelio's Bday.  We went to Montanita which is usually a really fun time, but due to a surf competition and rainy weather the place was overrun with people, mud, and trash.  We still managed a good time tho...  :)

And here I am just passing my last few days with the fam.  I have made a friend, Luis "Chicho" who does a yoga/spanish lesson trade with me.  And I've also been helping Chio with some clients. Although today, she performed a really amazing ceremony for me!! This has really been an incredible way to start this trip.  *Next stop India (with a short layover in NY)* 

"There are no laws...only suggestions"

This is how the driving works down here.  Totalmente loco!  This last week I took the bus with Chio to Quito, its about 8hours-so we took the bus at midnight and arrived in the morning.  Quito is a really beautiful city.  The buildings are from the 1600s and in the old city there is a church on every corner.  In Quito we visited with some friends of Chio between walking around and going to the Teleferiqo <a 20min ride in a gondola up to an area at 12,000+ FT.>  After 3 days here we took the bus to Ambato then continued on to Banos.  Banos is in the valley of the Andes and is magnificent.  It is a major tourist area, being full of extreme sports including, biking, hiking, rafting, bungey jumping etc.  Chio left after our first night, and on my second day I took a 3-day tour into the jungle.  This included going to a animal reserve to play with monkeys, taking the most intense 4 hours hike ever, jumping into a waterfall from 20ft, tubing down the river, staying on a indigenous village, looking for crocodiles at midnight, singing around a campfire, and seeing breath taking views. Amazing!  Upon returning to Banos I met up with a new friend to check out the Leprechaun bar and dance salsa. Then I woke up at 415am to swim in the hot spring pools and grabbed a 6am bus back through to Ambata and finally made it back to Guayaquil at 1:30pm.

Yesterday I went to Rogelio's graduation from med school!  Rogelio in the boyfriend of my host sister, Valeria, and was number 1 in his class, smart boy.  Last night we all went to a class party, which was really fun.  I love all the salsa music and all the men are such good dancers!  Tonight is a more formal party which I'm sure will be good too-I'm not getting picked up until 11pm.

Im really having a great time here.  In my free time I study spanish and do yoga... life is good*  My spanish is coming very very slowly, which continues to be frustrating;  it is a bit isolating at times. But my host family are extemely wonderful and I am sad to be at the halfway point of my stay.  So much to see, so little time!  Hope all is well!

Besos <3

Ecuador*

Ok besides only being able to speak Spanish like a small child I am doing ok here. The family I'm staying with speaks English very well and are helping me learn more every day. Valerie has even gone to the trouble of labeling common items en espanol! I feel kinda rediculous but am willing to go with it. Mama Chio has been showing me the nice places to go in an otherwise hot, busy, packed city. Yesterday we all went to Malecon and Las Penas in the evening. It was a beautiful way to see the city. Las Penas is a neighborhood downtown that has 444 stairs leading to the top of Cerro Santa Ana (Santa Ana hill) where we climbed up a lighthouse and got a complete 360degree view. It was really amazing, although for photos I want to do it again during the day/sunset (it's really hot during the day.) Also on my first day here we went to the lizard park that is located more central in the city. All the public parks are really well kept and are blessed with lush natural beauty due to the tropical climate.
Today we drove out of town to pick up fresh mango at a road stand. It's probably the best mango I've ever had! Ahhh the tropics* So all is well and I'll do my best to get some pics up soon. have a great weekend <3 <3 <3

So long Boston*

I never imagined how much actually goes into the act of taking time away from life as I know it.  I leave for Ecuador in 4days and 4 hours*  It doesn't feel real.  The last 3 weeks have moved at rapid fire, and I'm sure the next few days will be no different.  The near endless "to do" list is almost completely blacked out!  (And yes, starting this blog is on the list...so I can check this off too!)   I'm almost ready :)  

Lastly, I want to take this moment to thank all my friends and family for supporting me through this planning process and for wishing me well on this journey.  I am so grateful to have all of you in my life and I I will do my best to keep this page updated with my journeys and photos and anything that I think is worth sharing.  Please respond and give me feedback!  May we all have a safe 2011. 
Shanti*

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