Just as I was sitting down to write this, we had a 4.7 magnitude earthquake! It probably only lasted 30 seconds or so, but I was still a bit shaken up (pun intended). Don't worry, I promise I am fine! My host family and I waited in the hallway for it to end. Margarita said that usually during earthquakes everyone gathers outside, but since it was raining we did not see much of a crowd when we looked out the window. Anywho, I just wanted to post some pictures from my hiking adventure yesterday! We went hiking in Cayambe-Coca National Park and in a cloud forest in Papallacta. To top it off we went swimming in Papallacta's natural hot springs. Qué diá fantástico! What a fantastic day! Juan Francisco, our guide, said that we were very lucky to be able to see this mountain! He said that 90% of the time it is covered by clouds. You could also just see the peak of Cotopaxi, Ecuador's highest mountain. Apparently there's some wacky story that Cotopaxi could be considered the tallest mountain on Earth if you measure it in a certain way. There were red things on the shore of the lake, which Juan Francisco said were petals from a religious parade. This was hard to imagine, because this place was so remote from civilization. We didn't see a soul the whole time we were at the park. Juan Francisco said that even Ecuadorians almost never go there. Our poor bus almost didn't make it up the winding gravel roads! The landscape was so surreal; at times it felt like we were on the moon. This is by far the coolest place I have ever been in my entire life. Ahhh I am so lucky! We had to navigate with caution around the antennas because huge chunks of ice were falling off of them. It's funny, I was worried that none of my pictures would turn out. It was so cold (Juan Francisco said that with the wind chill it was 30 degrees Fahrenheit) and I didn't have gloves so my fingers were useless. But I guess some places are just so beautiful that it's impossible to take bad pictures. This was just a random lake that was on the side of the road in Papallacta! We stopped to get off the bus, stretch, and of course take pictures. Juan Francisco kept talking about the elusive Spectacled Bear that lives in these parts. We didn't see any bears, but we did see some alpacas and horses and cows. What lucky animals, I wish I lived somewhere this gorgeous! Next stop: cloud forest! The trails were composed of several feet of mud. Pamela, our other guide, said that one (not so popular) hike that people do consists of SEVEN HOURS of trudging through the mud. After our cloud forest hike, we did the best we could to scrape off our muddy shoes and then it was off to the hot springs! There were several pools, all of varying temperatures. The coldest was pure, ice-cold river water, and the warmest was 90 degrees fahrenheit. We went back and fourth from the 90 degree pool to the river water pool several times. Near the pools, we discovered a river full of boulders and beautiful little waterfalls. Clementine and I went exploring (it was too cold for everyone else) and when we got back Juan Francisco made us completely submerge ourselves in the river! Achachai! (The cooler, quiteño version of brrrrr). We saw many, many hummingbirds, all much bigger than the hummingbirds back home. On the way back, Clementine made us stop at a stand on the side of the road so that she could buy some yogurt. (Side note, the yogurt is very interesting here, it is liquid and comes in a milk jug. Meanwhile, the milk comes in a plastic bag) Anyway, they were so happy to see us!! Everyone on the bus bought something. I bought bizcochos (traditional Ecuadorian cookies) and dulce de leche (which is similar to caramel) for only $3.00.
4 Comments
9/5/2016 11:11:33 am
Olivia, I am so glad you are seeing so many things! I would love to see the hummingbirds. I don't think you are going to want to come home!
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Olivia Heffron
9/6/2016 07:11:33 am
Haha I don't think so either!
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Buz
9/9/2016 09:40:15 pm
Fantástico, indeed! Thanks for all your great posts.....
Reply
Olivia Heffron
9/11/2016 09:26:51 am
Gracias, Buz! It was an incredible day!
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Hola, soy olivia.After living in the Midwest my whole life, I packed my bags and moved south to Guadalajara, Mexico where I'm working as an English teacher and studying Spanish. Keep posted to hear about all my adventures!
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