Well, the last week at my first biological reserve was bittersweet to say the least. The other volunteers really banded together to learn about milking the cows in order to take over for Shane and I upon our departure, and two new volunteers from the UK arrived and also quickly fell into our early morning routine. Sadly, we really didn´t want to leave and by mid week I was quickly succumbing to a nasty flu. We did a lot of important work on the new nursery as well as helping out with a group of school children that were staying at the reserve for 5 days (21 little niños!)... the group held one particularly important member (the president´s son) and thus also came with an entourage of several teachers AND body guards! The kids were great though, and the adults were pretty cool too.
The weekend plans initially included Shane and I heading to Baños to check out the sights and visit our favorite Guelphite-Retired-Teacher couple, Chris and Connie, but then we heard that there was a landslide that closed the highway, destroyed 7 houses and killed 8 people! So we double checked to make sure Chris and COnnie were ok and rescheduled before heading to Otavalo- the largest market (town) in Ecuador.
By about midnight Friday night we finally found ourselves in this quaint and beautiful little hostel in the core of OTavalo and I found myself absolutely destroyed by the stupid flu. I headed to bed only to emerge once from about 330-630 ion Saturday afternoon and then not again until 8am SUnday.
Fortunately, while I was battling fevers, chills, and a killer sore throat, Mike and Shane (serious bromance going on) headed to the ANimal market in the AM and then the regular market later in the AM and took many pictures for me! (ANd spent bazillions of dollars shopping... bunch of girls). I´m glad MIke was there for Shane´s entertainment but definitely didn´t need to hear the boys, drunk by 3PM, and their giggle fits.
Sunday allowed me to emerge from my cave for some food and a brief wonder around the regular market. The wares were stunning and bartering was pretty fun but tough on my diminished energy levels... thankfully said energy lows kept me from spending too much money which saved me later since I realize that I do have to carry everything I buy (Shane and Mike needed to buy more luggage! YIKES!!) The town itself is gorgeous and surrounded by lovely mountains and some crazy lakes... the locals were sweet and helpful, and really tiny! (I know... kind of a ¨tourist¨thing to say, but coming from me... so true!)
Sunday night we returned to the hostel and met some great people and had some really intriguing chats before an early dinner and bedtime for me. Monday morning we continued our chat with our new friends before packing up and heading to Tumbaco, hometown of Shane´s girlfriend and of the world´s highest bridge-bungee jump... I was going to go for it but was told that the adrenaline/shock actually acts as an immuno-suppressant and thought that now isn´t the time since I just today (Tuesday) have been able to swallow sort of properly.
I guess I´ll try to get a few more pics added to posts tonight before heading to the Galapagos tomorrow. NOt sure on my interweb capabilities when I get there so I´ll just have to let you all know when I know.
oxoxo
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