Ok. Where to begin. I left Canoa, and beelined it to Montanita, a small surf town to the south. Upon arriving in Montanita, I was a bit shocked. Canoa, the place I had just been, was laid back, quiet, and in a word, TRANQUILO. I went from this environment to what I could only describe as ¨the Aspen of Ecuador.¨ Techno music blared from over-priced restaurants, and I was unfortunate enough to score a hostel downtown, immediately next to the Gym, which blared such classic Ecuadorian groups as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Rage Against the Machine. The Rasta vibe was highly present with dreadlocks worn like trophies, and the smell of marijuana in the air. Everyone had something to sell. Dresses. Necklaces. Hammocks. You name it. Was I still in Ecuador? I thought not. This was
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