We just finished an AMAZING 10 hour bus journey from Banos to Cuenca and we are now in the southern part of Ecuador. Rarely can you say that a 10 hour bus ride is amazing- but this ride was beautiful! The views of the Andes and rolling hills were awesome! Ecuadorians farm on the side of the hills which creates beautiful patterns on all of the hillsides.
The ride didn't start out extremely beautiful- as the curvy roads got the best of Angela early this a.m. She kept threatening that she may throw up on the bus and was even holding a bag just in case. The straw that broke the camel's back... as they say...was when she stepped off the bus at our first stop, sprained her ankle, started crying and then proceeded to puke by a grafitti'ed wall. Goooood morning! Yikes! The rest of the ride was much calmer and well worth sitting for that many hours.
We are now in Cuenca where we will stay until we fly to Peru on Tuesday!
The last few days in Banos were wonderful and of course filled with adventure. Our Spanglish does not seem to be improving - much to the enjoyment of the people we encounter. Angela went to order breakfast the other day and after believing she had said "can I order?"... The waitstaff quickly translated her Spanglish and said "you've just said 'can you pray?'" In addition, when we went to rent some bikes Angela apparently asked if we could please "sell two of their bikes." We seem to eventually get what we need, but often because of charades.
Banos is sort-of a hippy Ecuadorian town packed in between really high mountains. The views are beautiful and the town is often socked in by clouds. We rented (sold) bikes the first day we were there and road about 10 miles to some waterfalls. Neither of us were huge fans of riding on the road with all of the buses and semi trucks, but we managed the ride and met some friends along the way. The nicest part was at the bottom of the ride you can throw your bike in the back of a guys truck and for $2 he will drive you and your bike back up. Best kind of bike ride ever!
That evening we headed to the highly recommended local hot springs- just a short walk from our hostel. Much to our surprise this hot springs experience included WAY too many Ecuadorian men, women and gringos hanging out in extremely murky waters in shower caps. Some of you may know that Angela does not like water activities or specifically hot tubs- so this was a little nightmare all wrapped up with a bow for her!
I saw major panic on her face as we purchased our shower caps. We were asked to shower before we entered the hot springs and as I was showering there was a man just staring at the showers...so I say to Angela (who is avoiding the forced-luke-warm shower)- "What? Is that man's job to watch people shower?" She shakes her head and as we walk out he prompltly informs her that she DID NOT shower appropriately and would have to return to the luke-warm showers. Apparently that IS actually his job.
As we crawled into the hot tubs and settled into our spots Angela almost immediately asks me...."how much for you to do a cannonball into this hot tub?". Of course I know this is completely inappropriate, but the competative side in me says "it is funny"...and I answer "$25". Clearly this is a good deal- because Angela takes it immediately.
I quickly get stage fright. I can't cannonball into these families and old men enjoying their evening! However, due to an out-of-body experience....I do a complete cannon-ball into the extremely small-packed steam bath. As I rise up out of the water there are at least 10 Ecuadorian men shaking their head at me...I realize now that this was a really bad idea.... But the BEST $25 dolllars I've ever won. We immediately exited the hot springs.
We also spent some time at Banos in the steam bath provided in our hostel. Basically, this was a box that your entire body is in- minus your head. We had an Ecuadorian woman directing us and telling us when to get in/out of the steam bath...when to splash ourselves with cold water etc. It was an experience to remember- that only picutres can commemorate.
Cuenca seems to be a nice quiet South American city. Although we aren't completely done with Ecuador- we are close to having to move onto our next stop in Peru and are looking forward to some time with our artisans!
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