Northern Ecuador

Last night we went out to dinner in Mindo, a town in the cloud forest West of Quito, Ecuador. While we were waiting for our food, we noticed several things that would never happen in the US. We’re sort of used to this kind of thing, but it was interesting to stop and think about it.

The owner, hostess, waitress, and chef were all the same person. We sat down to order, and the first three things we asked for on the menu were “no hay” (not available). We discovered that chicken and fish were our only options that night. One of the things that was no hay was cerveza, so I got up and walked to the tienda next door and bought two to bring back to our table.

Our 20oz beers cost $1.25 each. After dinner I returned the bottles to claim my 25 cent deposit.

Once we started eating, a street dog walked in and sat next to our table looking up at me with eyes that only a dog who wants what you’re eating more than life itself can possess. I felt bad for it and dropped some of my fish skin onto the floor.

Outside, the street was torn up in a construction project. Nothing was fenced off, from the giant hole in the street to the piles of new sewer or water line sitting next to it. The local kids were playing on the dirt piles and the piping.

We enjoyed our fish and after Quinn played in the construction site for a bit we meandered back to the campground.

So aside from grilled trout and cheap beer, here’s some of what we’ve been up to in the past week as we make our way to Cuenca, where we will be meeting my parents for the holidays.

We met a German couple at the campground in Ibarra. They're in a huge 4x4 truck that makes our van look like a toy.

We met a German couple at the campground in Ibarra. They’re in a huge 4×4 truck that makes our van look like a toy.

One highlight was a visit to a raptor rehabilitation facility where we got to see flight demonstrations of some amazing eagles and hawks.

One highlight was a visit to a raptor rehabilitation facility where we got to see flight demonstrations of some amazing eagles and hawks.

They even had two bald eagles. This one is "Gringo," the female is named "Gringa."

They even had two bald eagles. This one is “Gringo,” the female is named “Gringa.”

We got our first real glimpse of a snow-capped Andean peak.

We got our first real glimpse of a snow-capped Andean peak.

We crossed the equator for like the fifth time, but this was the first time we drove across (since we crossed it in Gabon, anyway, 10 years ago.  This time the temperatures were MUCH cooler!).

We crossed the equator for like the fifth time, but this was the first time we drove across (since we crossed it in Gabon, anyway, 10 years ago. This time the temperatures were MUCH cooler!).

In Quito camped in a parking lot at Parque Carolina, a huge park that featured this airplane in the kids play area.

In Quito camped in a parking lot at Parque Carolina, a huge park that featured this airplane in the kids play area.

There was a festival while we were there and we got to same some exotic Ecuadorean cotton candy.

There was a festival while we were there and we got to sample some exotic Ecuadorean cotton candy.

We first met Melanie and Justin from Providence, Rhode Island, back in Colombia and really hit it off with them. We got to spend a few days hanging out together in Quito.

We first met Melanie and Justin from Providence, Rhode Island, back in Colombia and really hit it off with them. We got to spend a few days hanging out together in Quito.

We rode the Teleferico (gondola) to a viewpoint above the city.

We rode the Teleferico (gondola) to a viewpoint above the city.

At the bottom of the Teleferico there was an amusement park where we spent the rest of the day.

At the bottom of the Teleferico there was an amusement park where we spent the rest of the day.

Quinn loved the bumper cars.

Quinn loved the bumper cars.

The next day we went to the old town to see the changing of the guard. The president, Raphael Correa, came out to wave to the people gathered in the plaza below.

The next day we went to the old town to see the changing of the guard. The president, Raphael Correa, came out to wave to the people gathered in the plaza below.

In a nearby cathedral, a painting of the Last Supper features Jesus feasting on Cuy (a local delicacy of roasted guinea pig).

In a nearby cathedral, a painting of the Last Supper features Jesus feasting on Cuy (a local delicacy of roasted guinea pig).

Next it was on to Papallacta, a volcanic area high in the mountains that features lots of hot springs.

Next it was on to Papallacta, a volcanic area high in the mountains that features lots of hot springs.

The next morning I went for a hike in the surrounding hills.

The next morning I went for a hike in the surrounding hills.

Our next stop was Mindo, a birder's paradise.

Our next stop was Mindo, a birder’s paradise.

We went for a hike in the cloud forest and visited a series of waterfalls.

We went for a hike in the cloud forest and visited a series of waterfalls.

One Response to 'Northern Ecuador'

  1. Kirk says:

    The Germans you run into on these trips always have the best toys!