Banos

Hola!


I have now finished my Espanol lessons. I dont actually feel like i learnt that much (5 days isnt long, tis true), though i have got my head round the masculine and feminine, plural and singular differentiations, and learnt a few more words to add to my vocabulary. I will continue to self study and try to mingle with Spanish speaking persons as much as possible (una muy buena manera de aprender).

Yesterday I went on a trek with an Austrian guy who stayed in the room next to mine. We went to the national park (Caja) and walked for about six hours in the moor like lands. It was very beautiful, i kept noticing the diverse plant and minerals, the amazing red colored stones and velvet mahogany moss, the exotic plant life, the placid lakes full of fresh trout in a serene untouched environment. Very pleased i went...even though it rained for the last hour and i got back to Cuenca wet, cold, hungry and tired! All part of the experience hey.

In Cuenca the thing i most enjoyed was my morning trip to the market (or afternoon depending on when my Espanol class was). I discovered a traditional breakfast of sweet corn pancakes and many varieties of milky drinks. They also had a selection of white cheeses, including one without salt which was a little too bland on its own. I loved the endless amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables (note very good berries, papaya and avocado). There were three floors in the market. The middle one was devoted to fresh produce, the top was for for lunch (lots of cooked meals, soups, rice and vegetables, beans and fresh juices). The lower floor, appropriately positioned, for carne. They especially seem to like pig, the most popular meat around. Full pig bodies were on display everywhere i looked, heads peering at me from all angles. I liked the fact that they use all of the body parts, even the feet. No waste. They used the skin from the chicken tummy, which looked interesting, and they used lots of heart, brain and tounge. yum yum yum. All of it is fresh of course, no freezing of the meat.

I left Cuenca today. Two bus journeys later and I find myself in the beautiful tropical Banos. It feels like a very good place to be. My kinda place; full of weird and wonderful treatments (massage, chocolate facials, intestinal drainage, thermal and mud baths....you name it, they probably do it here!) Also a lot of sporty stuff like mountain climbing, jungle treks, water rafting, cycling, great walking routes and extreme sports. Its easy to rent a bike and go on a beautiful ride into the surrounding shrubs and beauties. I may do that tomorrow.

Im sooooo pleased to have access to a clean, warm shower here. I largely avoided the shower in Cuenca, which was right next to a toilet that was regularly blocked and gross. Im thinking of one person who i know who probably wouldnt have used the toilet for a whole week just to avoid entering it! (you probably know who you are). So, im Glad to be away from that! The place here is lively, has a roof top terrace, a cafe and access to a daily morning health bath...something i will need to check out. Im sharing a room with a woman from Switzerland and a man from Finland. Its cute, warm, welcoming. I may recover some energy here. Just being here somehow soothes me.

I think i may play guitar on the roof top terrace soon, ive made up a few new songs that would be good to practice.

May we all travel well,

Con Amor y cosas buenas,

x x x