Recent Travels
Although it has been a few weeks since I traveled there…I have got to tell you all about Papallacta—I loved it and it is going to be the first place my parents, Garett, and I travel to when they come visit me, after I show them around Quito. A few weekends ago, my host family invited me, sort of last minute on a Saturday evening, to accompany them the following morning, at 5 am, to a place called Papallacta, about 1.5 hours outside of Quito. I agreed, and bright and early the following day, I woke up, through a bathing suit and towel in my backpack, wrapped myself in a blanket, and headed to the car to fall back asleep. About an hour later, we pulled off the side of the road to admire the beautiful view of the snow-capped volcano Santisana. It was the first time I saw it…even my host parents said they have rarely seen it on their trips there because of the clouds. It was around 7 am when we stopped...and there was frost on the ground as we sipped coffee and admired the few. I still can't get over how cold it sometimes is here!
We arrived at Papallacta about thirty minutes later and changed into our bathing suits. I know I told you all about the natural mineral water pools in Banos…but those were so packed and sort of boring…just like a concrete pool in a community center really…but really cloudy because of the mineral content (and because they were full of people by 8 am). In Banos, the water was luke warm in one pool, chilly in the others. In Papallacta, there are beautiful pools…About 12 in total, I think…full of fresh, clear water. The main four pools range in temperature…the first you come to is bath water. The second is a bit warmer. The third is like a sauna. In various places there are tiny falls where people massage their backs or legs. The fourth pool you come to is quite tiny. On each side there are steps. My host father, Cesar, dared me to try it out. I stepped into with one feet, and immediately…my foot went numb. It was literally ice cold. Every now and then, a brave soul would get up the courage to jump in or quickly descend the stairs on one side, dunk their heads, and run up the stairs on the opposite side. I thought they were all crazy…until I decided to join them. Although my host father would not try the cold pool (I think he was afraid it might give him a heart attack….which it definitely could), he continued to egg me on and dare me to try it out….for those of you who know me well, you know I am quite competitive! I gave in to my competitive edge, ran down the stairs, up to my shoulders (I simple could not stick my head in the ice water…I just imagined instant headache!)…and then ran up the stairs and the opposite side and then as fast as I could to the hot hot pool. I think all the natives in the pool were laughing at me…”look at the young gringa dip in the cold pool a
nd run…ja ja”! Haha…I don’t know if they did but I imagine so! Aside from the ice water, Papallacta is beautiful…nestled in the mountains. From my spot in the hot hot pool I had a perfect view of a the snow-capped Santisana . I was amazed!When I really stopped to think about where I was at the moment, I was even more amazed. It was 7 o’clock or so in the morning, I was relaxing in a pool full of pleasantly hot water that had been heated naturally by surrounding volcanoes, looking up at a snow covered volcano…in a country that sits on the Ecuador. It was amazing! I can’t wait to bring the ‘rents and the bf there!
So that was a few weekends ago….this past weekend, I again had great views of a snow-capped volcano…but in a different place. This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to accompany my host Rotarian to visit the small city of Latacunga (which has been destroyed at least 3 times by volcanic eruptions in the past). In Latacunga, her daughter and her family live on a farm. The parents of her husband hav
e owned a farm and been quite successful in earning a living off the farm. Their home was right outside the city…not a hacienda, but certainly not the backwoods either. It was comfortable. To get there, we drove about 1.5 or 2 hours south of Quito but still in the mountains to Latacunga. Latacunga is in the Province of Cotopaxi, the volcano that I often see on clear mornings while I walk to school, and the same volcano that I plan on climbing part of before I leave. Saturday was a really clear day so we had great views.
Once we arrived at the farm, two of her grandchildren showed me around. They have over 100 cows (or “vacas” in Spanish), tons of pigs (“chonchos”), horses, and they grow tons of herbs and flowers (but most of them had been picked the day before because the large market is on Saturdays). Ecuador is one of the largest exporters of flowers (especially roses and orchids) in the world. Their flowers are sent to Europe, Russia, the US, and to Colombia (where they are often relabeled as “from Colombia” and sold again). There were tons of cute baby pigs, a calf that was only a few days old, and a cow that was due to have a baby that very night. Before returning to the house, we passed by where the cows were being milked using machinery, but the grandkids wanted to milk one the old fashioned way. I said I would watch and take pictures…but in the end I decided to give it a try too (hey…gotta try everything once right?). The whole time we were walking through the animal pins with the cows and pigs, I was secretly thinking…don’t worry, I am your frie
nd! I only eat chicken and fish so don’t worry about me! I guess the cows didn’t get the message…The next morning (after we spent the afternoon and evening watching the 3 super important soccer games of the day and celebrating the birthday of one of the granddaughters with cake and piñatas), we had bread and cheese purchased in the town, and fresh milk from the farm. I didn’t think twice about the consequences of drinking unpasteurized milk…I even commented to the matron of the house, “oh how nice it is to have your own fresh milk.” Idiot! About two hours later began one of the most painful stomach aches of my entire life. At first, it was just slightly crampy and bloated feeling…but by the end of the day, I felt as though my stomach was a wet towel that someone had taken and started to twist to wring out all the water. Before the serious pain began, the family decided to show me the small city and two surrounding cities (well three but after the second I was in so much pain we decided to come back to Quito). The first city we visited is called Salcedo…and it is famous throughout Ecuador for its rich ice creams in every flavor…coconut, blackberry, pineapple, strawberry, chocolate, and even avocado. I was seriously tempted to try avocado, but instead selected fruit salad…which was a papaya like flavored ice cream full of banana, strawberry, watermelon, papaya, and melon…delicious! After that…not sure why after…we stopped at a restaurant boasting typical Ecuadorian food. It was one of the nicer restaurants I have been in here. With my stomach full of ice cream and in pain, I couldn’t force myself to order a full meal…but as I have promised you all, I did decide to try a bite of “Cuy” or roasted guinea pig!! Although I am not in a hurry to order a whole piece…definitely not a whole animal (they are bigger than you are imagining, promise)…it wasn’t bad. I hate to say this…but it kinda tasted like chicken! A bit more flavor than chicken really. They say guinea pig is rich in protein and low in fat and cholesterol. Maybe we should rethink them as pets? Haha..although some people here eat the whole thing…head and all…I was happy that when the father of the farm and my Counselor’s grandson order “quarters” of cuy, both received leg portions. I wasn’t brave enough to try the crispy skin, just the meat…but I hear the skin is great…no thanks!
The next town we visited is well known for its ceramic pots and vases and so on….as I wasn’t feel very well by this time, we just drove through and then headed back to Quito. In Quito, I went straight to bed…drank a few cups of a tea of Chamomile, Oregano, and a few other spices and had a cup of basically apple cider (less cinnamon, no sugar, and slightly thicker) called Colado de Manzana. I was in pain most of the night and part of the next day, but I am happy to say I feel great today and ate like a pig at the fancy Rotary Club luncheon I attended today with the District Governor! Good news!
H1N1 Swine Flu
No Worries...although I was sick...I do NOT have the swine flu......However, if you did not see on the news today (I saw it on CNN.com so maybe some of you did as well), the chief of the Ecuadorian President's security died today of H1N1. After the meeting of UNASUR last week, the President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe was also diagnosed with H1N1--I am convinced Chavez found some way to infect him! (if you aren't sure why I say this...you obviously did not read my last email about politics...shame on you!).
Coming soon....to a theater near you!I finally figured out how to get the videos off my camera and on to the computer! I am trying to attach them to facebook and email but they are uploading VERY slowly! I will send videos soon! Also coming soon...my trip to the jungle! It has been moved up a week so I leave Saturday and return Friday! Cant wait!
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