We are really loving Cuenca. It´s high in the Andes, around the same altitude as Quito I think, and it´s nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains. It´s funny how much you are warned about the altitude in Ecuador, when the pollution is way more noticeable and problematic. I definitely find it a bit harder to walk uphill here, getting out of breath more easily - but just walking around Cuenca the smell of exhaust is heavy and unpleasant. And you don´t get used to it! Sitting here in the internet cafe, I am constantly aware of it. I don´t remember Quito´s air pollution being quite as bad. Anyway, so we are staying in another fantastic place - Hostal Macondo. It´s in a beautiful building with a lovely indoor atrium, which our room overlooks, and there´s
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