A Volcanic Weekend: Baños and Mt Tungerahua

Last weekend I decided to go to Baños, a small town nestled among a drastic landscape of ridges, mountains and an active volcano. Baños offers Relaxation, Recreation (& extreme sports), and a Tourist Nightlife.

We stayed out of the main bustle of the city in a hostal high above the city on a ridge that looks at the volcano. Mt. Tungerahua (Mama T. for short) and had a great view of the landscape surrounding us. and close the La Casa del Arbol:

Tungerahua the day before the eruption

We rented bikes and rode them down in the morning to the waterfall El Pylon del Diablo. On the way down we went for a casual zipline session, and signed up to go canyoning later in the afternoon (rappelling down waterfalls) I knew enough about rappelling, and also enough spanish to understand the safety instructions for both activities... thank goodness. HA. at least I'm pretty sure i knew what they were saying.. =]

Canyoning

 about to Zipline (in the laying down position)

 Riding bikes.

Pylon del Diablo:

That evening we decided to rest our legs and nerves in the thermal waters of Baños. While in line waiting for the pools to open for the evening, mama T woke up from her nap.. The staff advised us that she was a bit more active than usually happens and that bathing was 'our own responsibility' so we naturally went in anyway and peacefully soaked in the pools while occasionally admiring how much ash was being spewed up into the air and noting the occasional grumble.

 While in line for the Thermal Waters

 Once heading back to our hostal we started to see what they meant. through the clouds/ash we could see the bright red glow of LAVA! Contemplating this on our drive up the ridge we got a bit nervous. But once at our hostal the woman owner was waiting for us excitedly and asking why we hadnt come sooner to watch up here! We spent the evening drinking a beer and watching the show which looked a bot like this: we could see this clearly, but i didn't have my camera, naturally.

We could see this clearly, but i didn't have my camera, naturally. We were a bit lower than these photos, but these look much like the ones the Colombians were taking next to us.


Much more to do in Baños so I will be going back! What next? Bungee jumping? Paragliding? =]

Chao!
Until next time,
Joe

Holidays Abroad

Happy New Year everyone! (Better late then never?)

2013 has been great to me and I am looking forward to the year to come! My Holiday season was as follows:

As you may not know the month of december is especially festive here in Ecuador, especially in Quito. December 6th marks the day of Quito's Foundation. Therefore the whole first week of December is full of Parades and Parties and Concerts and food, and especially Canelazo (cinnamon, cane alcohol, and naranjilla juice) We learned a typical game that they play here called Cuarenta (40), which is too difficult to explain but very fun, during this week as well.

Christmas was spent in the valley with friends from my TESOL course. A couple from Canada with a house here, and their american/canadian neighbors.

(Kate's Neighbors)

(Kate's House in the Valley)

New years in Ecuador is a crazy thing. Everyone makes or buys a newspaper doll, that they decorate with things from the past year. they are called Año Viejos (old years) and are to represent the old year. When it is Midnight they burn them, to start the year fresh. There are also hundreds of men that dress up as the Widows of the old year and all day they stand at intersections dancing funny and asking for change from the cars. Comical. Aside from this there are many superstitions involving the New Year such as eating 12 grapes and walking with your suitcase around the block to have a year of travel, and wearing yellow underwear. Friends of Dawn came to visit and hung out with us for the week and took us to great restaurants we were too poor to try before!! We all had a blast the whole week and celebrated the New Year in quite the fashion... 

 (Vista Hermosa Restaurant. Basilica in the Background)

 Año Viejos.

Our New Years Table... just beginning.... 

 The Burning of the dolls

Since the holidays I have begun teaching again, and even started with a new student this week. Even busier! But i am searching for a student to teach privately to cushion my income to hopefully travel more!  I am also enjoying the weather here. While i miss snow/skiing i also don't at the same time.. especially when it was so sunny and hot today. =] I am also planning a trip to see a beach town that i am getting excited to see in two weeks! =] I will update you on that later!

Best Wishes!
Joe