I've been to paradise but I've never been to me Dear G&S,
I am so delighted to see that you made it to Otavalo! I went there when I was in Ecuador 3 years ago for my Galapagos investigations. It was such a huge market that sprawled every which way! I bought so many scarves from the different venders. I even bought a little blue satchel that I have with me in Spain. I enjoyed haggling over the price of the good with the venders, lowering the prices to a price that the vender and I both agreed on, always with a smile on our faces. It was wonderful. It was the one place in Ecuador where people were nice during my trip. I am also glad to see that you saw the bird show! I went to that same rescue park and had that hawk fly over my head, which made me freak out, move my body in some funky directions while managing to knock over some poor German tourist in the process. Good times! It's been a real joy reading your entries! I'm happy you're both home.
perfect trip_perfect notes Grim &Sophie: you did really well, your retelling was perfect to make a perfect view of the trip. You sound grateful to the places and to the people. I´m planning to travel to the jungle, but probably on a boat from Coca_Napo River. Thanks for your notes.
Merry Christmas! Hi there kids! Another excellent and entertaining post. I could sort of feel your aggravation and anguish about the dangerous bus ride. I remember riding buses in Ecuador and being pissed off or scared that I was going to die on some old, rickety piece of shit poo poo bus with crazy ass ecuadorians trying to sell me stupid trinkets with jesus on them and crap. Not a good time at all! I'm glad you made it to Baños (what a funny name!) and that there was ash. I am glad you had masks to save your lungs from the ash. Anyways, I hope you both have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Bisous!
I like the parrots! Juuhuu! Sophie boo and Grim! What a great post this is about your time in Quito! I've been to Quito before and it's a nice city with a high altitude that almost killed me. Not really, but it did make my blood pressure go up, making for a nice, hard pumping sensation in my veins. It seems like you had a good visit in the city! It's a shame you won't be going to the Galapagos. I was there as well and it was just awe-inspiring. Too bad the local government is corrupt about letting people in. Anyways, I enjoy your posts. Keep it up and send me a postcard!
Grim, you go girl! Dear kids,
You could not get me to go on that changachoochoo cama bus or whatever the heck it's called! I get motion sickness on moving vehicles (cars, buses, wheelchairs, etc.) and if I didn't have a Sprite soda-pop beforehand, I would have said "OH HELL NO!" like the strong black woman that I am. Surfing sounds easy! But it's so hard! Sophie-nice try with the surfing. Grim- you're a natural! You go girl! Salt water in the mouth sucks.
You're so lucky with the warm weather! Here it is 0º and I'm wearing my thermal underpants and freezing my face off! I'm going to the Mediterranean next week where I can shed these winter clothes and run around in my sexy swimsuit! Yeah son!
Have fun out there but stay aware from those ghetto school buses! Toot toot! Hey! Beep beep!
I want a daquiri too! Dear Soapie & Grimmie (teehee!)
It sounds like Máncora is an absolute paradise (which reminds me: "I've been to paradise, but I've never been to me...") the wide variety of food and the mix of sun, sand, sea, sangria and sex....oh wait, that's more like Spain....but the eclectic cuisines you dined on sound divine! What a great view from the bungalow! And Sophie you look so cute sipping your daquiri! And Grim you look so cute in that mosquito net! Okay, I'm done. Where are you kids off to next? Besos!
50 words for Machu Pichu Dear Sophie & Grim:
What a wonderful post from Machu Picchu! I loved your descriptions of the stones up there and of the ascend back down the 1500 stairs. The pictures are lovely too! It's nice that you have a camera again. I think you should have punched that American hare krishna in the face. And what a wonderfully relaxing thought hot springs are at this moment in the chilly autumn! It sounds like a lot of fun! Besos!
HIGH! up Dear Sophes and Grimes,
The air up there is quite dense! I remember my time in Quito and how jäkla thin the air was! I'm glad you survived! I think I need a cholita dress now. This is such a fun blog! Kramkalas!
I don't want no pigeons Dear Soph and Grim,
Another excellent post! La Paz sounds cool. The pigeons however-gross. Want a quick way to help the population control? Throw rice in the square and boom! (literally) Problem solved in a few hours! And you say that they celebrate all of the religious holidays that Europe got rid of. Not true! Spain also celebrates all of the same holidays that Europe got rid of! ;) I love those indigenous markets! It reminds me of my time in Ecuador. Besos!
hippies and van blessings on the isle of sun! Dear Sophie and Grimmy! I love your travel blog. I feel like I'm visiting these places along with you. I love the photos! I especially love the priest blessing the van (what the hell!) and the hippies worshiping the sun (what a bunch of quacks!) Good job with the descriptions. I'm glad the passport fiasco was resolved. I can't wait to read the rest! -M
What fun and stress! Sounds like you guys are having a fantastic time, even if sometimes rather stressful! I'm sorry to hear your stuff was stolen/lost! Your pictures up until now have been great, I'm sure the new camera will manage just as well!! They are making me quite envious!
Sorry I haven't commented before, I have been reading your blog, though not always I admit. You might remember me saying that I tend to be quite forgetful in that sense. But it's always really nice to read about what you both are up to when I do!
Lots of love,
Frida
Ett sent grattis på din dag, Grim Många extra långa försenade grattisKRAMAR från din faster och Birk o Moa o Thomas grattar åxå förstås . Du får översätta för Sophie och hälsa henne att hon skriver jättebra, det är superkul att läsa om er resa och bra träning för Moa att förstå engelsk text som inte är i skolboksform.
Vi planerar mammas 90 årskalas för fullt .Vi börjar festen kl 13.00 sen får vi se när den slutar,vi ska hålla till i Bleka en by som ligger en bit ifrån Fåker. Det känns jättebra, ska bli kul att träffa alla fast du och Geir fattas. Vi kanske kan skicka kalas bilder till dej( jag vet inte om det funkar men troligen gör det väl det med detta fantastiska kommunikationssätt). jag är en mycket oerfaren nätanvändare. puss och kram Eva
Ohohooo, looks soo nice!! Glad you two are living life and having fun in the sun!! Us we are just stumbling around in the cold mud back home... Big Hugs!!
Oh my! That hostel looks brilliant! If I were there I\'d feared I wouldn't see much of the city. Except if there was a good view from the hammock :P
Keep this blog updated so I have something to read with my morning coffees at the office :)
Oh, and have fun down there!
In 1952, Ernesto Guevara and Alberto Granado left Buenos Aires, Argentina to explore South America that they only knew from books. Their travel is captured in the "The Motorcycle Diaries". Now Grim and I will follow their lead and travel through Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. Our travel will be entirely dependent on the goodwill of public transportation though...... full info
Mark "I've seen that bird show" master haggler at open air marke
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I've been to paradise but I've never been to me
Dear G&S, I am so delighted to see that you made it to Otavalo! I went there when I was in Ecuador 3 years ago for my Galapagos investigations. It was such a huge market that sprawled every which way! I bought so many scarves from the different venders. I even bought a little blue satchel that I have with me in Spain. I enjoyed haggling over the price of the good with the venders, lowering the prices to a price that the vender and I both agreed on, always with a smile on our faces. It was wonderful. It was the one place in Ecuador where people were nice during my trip. I am also glad to see that you saw the bird show! I went to that same rescue park and had that hawk fly over my head, which made me freak out, move my body in some funky directions while managing to knock over some poor German tourist in the process. Good times! It's been a real joy reading your entries! I'm happy you're both home.