After our Hacienda experience and hike, we checked back into our hotel in Quito, comforted by free Internet and cleanish rooms. I really like Quito. I don’t like the poverty. We have discovered this the past few days, driving to and from our tours. Half completed shacks clinging to hills, dirty kids, dirty dogs and garbage everywhere. The contrast with the natural beauty makes it all that more startling. (more…)
Filed under: Ecuador on June 29th, 2007 | 2 Comments »
When staying in Ecuador, one must stay at a hacienda for some relaxation and recuperation. Our friend Matt, recommended a fabulous one (I think he called it magical) that didn’t fit into our globe trotting budget. I chose an aspiring one close to our next training hike, Guagua Pichincha. (more…)
Filed under: Ecuador on June 28th, 2007 | No Comments »
I am fixated on climbing Cotopaxi, the largest volcano in the world. It is so perfectly cone shaped with a magnificent snow cap and it can be been seen from higher ground around Quito some 70km away. I quickly put us on an acclimatization program after meeting with a reputable tour operator. They suggest at least two hikes to nearly 5000m before attempting Cotapaxi at 5900m – the height of Kilimanjaro in Africa. Our first hike is Pasachoa, located south of Quito in the Avenue of the Volcanoes, to a peak of 4200m with our 69 year old guide, Fernando. (more…)
Filed under: Ecuador on June 27th, 2007 | 2 Comments »
We arrived in Quito on Monday night, June 25th. The polluted air hits you as you leave the airport. The taxi ride to the new town was frightening as we saw the spedometer hit 110 km/hr on the city streets. Buildings flash by and you quickly notice that it’s on its way to becoming more developed. (more…)
Filed under: Ecuador on June 26th, 2007 | No Comments »
Backpacking - renouncing worldly possessions in place of a life on the road. Flip flops in exchange for heels, water for perfect morning cappuccinos, bandana in place of tiara. No make-up, no jewelry. It all sounded so romantic. Virtually homeless, my life is now contained to 9 rubbermaids in a 5×5 storage container. Jiffy is its name and it’s in the hood in Toronto. (more…)
Filed under: Events on June 25th, 2007 | 2 Comments »