Living in Ecuador is much like being in a fantasy land every
day. Every day brings something special, a new blooming flower, a special
smile from one of the locals, the sun radiating off the top of the volcano, the
smell of roasting coffee (local coffee house), or just sitting on our patio
feeling the warmth of the morning sun.
Yesterday was one of those special days. Please let me share it with you. We had some business in Quito, so decided to take the bus. We began our adventure in Otovalo, a neighboring town where you catch the express bus to Quito. We board the bus and head down the Pan American Highway. Even on a cloudy day, the ride on the bus brings special experiences. Remember now, we are traveling on the Pan American Highway. The majority on board were Indigenous and local Ecuadorians, friendly smiles, adults, kids, & babies on mother's backs.
On our ride to and from Quito, here are just a few thing we experienced. This ride takes about two hours to travel 60 miles through the beautiful Andes mountains, vast gorges, breathtaking mountain tops, snow capped volcanoes, elevation changes of 4,000 feet plus. We traveled by Rose Farms which produce and ship hundreds of roses every day. We passed two pack horses loaded down with fresh produce led by a couple of young men, walking right along the Pan-American highway. Then in front of us, a large semi carrying a very heavy load of steel. (Moving about 15 mph due to the steep hill).
There was much traffic, both directions, cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, oh yes, horses, people walking. We probably passed or met 30 buses on the trip.
As we looked out the windows of the bus, we could see cattle grazing in the fields, crops of fresh vegetables, orchards of fruits, people working in their fields, children returning home from school. On our return trip, as we rounded a corner, there was a majestic fresh water lake at the base of Imbabura volcano. The sun shown bright, accenting the lake and volcano in the background.
One last comment regarding our bus ride: each way, two hours, $2.20 was the fare for both of us AND along the highway were several gas stations - regular gas $1.48 gal and Diesel was $1.03 gal.
So we arrive in Quito, a very modern city for sure. From the bus terminal, a taxi ($5.00) takes us 30 minutes to a beautiful modern shopping center, where Claudia did some shopping and we dined at TG Fridays.... Then on to the US Embassy ($5.00) taxi, 30 minutes. The Embassy is a beautiful facility that accommodates both Americans and Ecuadorians.
Our business finished, a taxi ($3.00), 15 minutes -back to the bus terminal and our trip home to Cotacachi. On our trip home, we had local venders hop on the bus, selling ice cream, chips, etc., then jump off the bus to catch the next bus to do the same.
Home after a big day, lots of precious memories of the day. Very tired, but our business completed and a great adventure for sure.
As I sit here on our front porch, looking up at beautiful Cotacachi volcano, it is hard to grasp that we LIVE in this wondrous place. To say we are blessed is such an understatement. We wish all our family and friends could experience Ecuador.
Love to you all,
B & C
Yesterday was one of those special days. Please let me share it with you. We had some business in Quito, so decided to take the bus. We began our adventure in Otovalo, a neighboring town where you catch the express bus to Quito. We board the bus and head down the Pan American Highway. Even on a cloudy day, the ride on the bus brings special experiences. Remember now, we are traveling on the Pan American Highway. The majority on board were Indigenous and local Ecuadorians, friendly smiles, adults, kids, & babies on mother's backs.
On our ride to and from Quito, here are just a few thing we experienced. This ride takes about two hours to travel 60 miles through the beautiful Andes mountains, vast gorges, breathtaking mountain tops, snow capped volcanoes, elevation changes of 4,000 feet plus. We traveled by Rose Farms which produce and ship hundreds of roses every day. We passed two pack horses loaded down with fresh produce led by a couple of young men, walking right along the Pan-American highway. Then in front of us, a large semi carrying a very heavy load of steel. (Moving about 15 mph due to the steep hill).
There was much traffic, both directions, cars, trucks, motorcycles, buses, oh yes, horses, people walking. We probably passed or met 30 buses on the trip.
As we looked out the windows of the bus, we could see cattle grazing in the fields, crops of fresh vegetables, orchards of fruits, people working in their fields, children returning home from school. On our return trip, as we rounded a corner, there was a majestic fresh water lake at the base of Imbabura volcano. The sun shown bright, accenting the lake and volcano in the background.
One last comment regarding our bus ride: each way, two hours, $2.20 was the fare for both of us AND along the highway were several gas stations - regular gas $1.48 gal and Diesel was $1.03 gal.
So we arrive in Quito, a very modern city for sure. From the bus terminal, a taxi ($5.00) takes us 30 minutes to a beautiful modern shopping center, where Claudia did some shopping and we dined at TG Fridays.... Then on to the US Embassy ($5.00) taxi, 30 minutes. The Embassy is a beautiful facility that accommodates both Americans and Ecuadorians.
Our business finished, a taxi ($3.00), 15 minutes -back to the bus terminal and our trip home to Cotacachi. On our trip home, we had local venders hop on the bus, selling ice cream, chips, etc., then jump off the bus to catch the next bus to do the same.
Home after a big day, lots of precious memories of the day. Very tired, but our business completed and a great adventure for sure.
As I sit here on our front porch, looking up at beautiful Cotacachi volcano, it is hard to grasp that we LIVE in this wondrous place. To say we are blessed is such an understatement. We wish all our family and friends could experience Ecuador.
Love to you all,
B & C
