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Published: September 12th 2006
Old town quito
The cathedral in quito. I sat on one of the ledges far above the world...quite scary!Hello,
Sorry guys for not writing sooner but Im still alive!!! Also sorry for the lack of photos Im hoping to rectify that soon. Well Ive finished my spanish school and unfortunatly I still can´t speak spanish but Im trying its coming out a bit Italian tho which has caused a few strange looks. I think my salsa is probably better than my spanish and the guys here really can dance!!!!
Last week was spent learing spanish in the jungle, if theres a place to completely distract you from lessons and homework than the jungle is it. I spent my days trecking through the undergrowth of the amazon, fishing for Pirhanas and swinging on vines like tarzan. Although Im not a natural at jungle activites. I fell of the vine well slipped down and scraped my hand, everyone made it look so easy it wasnt!!! I got to experince herbal medicine in action as the guide cut into a tree which oozed red sap, which looked like blood and smeared it on my tarzan wounds! Fishing was also a no go, the little fish kept nibbling at the meat on my hook leaving me with an empty hook! The guide
caught some fish although no Pirhana, theyre saved for now. Whilst in the jungle I also got my soul cleansed by a Shaman, the local doctors. They should bring out soul cleaning on the NHS. I think my sould was in particuar need of cleaning because when I got up to get mine cleaned one of the fire lanturns flared up completely burning the lanturn and nearly the shamans house the timing couldnt have been more comic. I was worried about that being somewhat a bad omen when souls are concerned but I looked over to the shaman and he was laughing so I guess its not too bad!
From the jungle I went to Riobamba where the tain starts to whats known as the devils nose. It runs though the Andes and its such a beautiful journery. Well I was told the train leaves at 7, usualy in latin countries this means a lot later, so I thought I was being good turning up at 6.40. Nope the train had left without me, I was gutted especially I as I thought I was early for once (those who know me know thats not one of my strong points).
Volcanoe
Active volcanoe crator...dont worry thats cloud not smoke! So in order to get the train I had to jump in a taxi and chase the train, it sounds harder than it actually is because the train was actually going at a snails pace (possibly one of the reasons the railway in southamerica declined in the 70s). It took a good 10 minutes speeding around in a yellow taxi with fast spanish music blaring adding to the manic, comic situation. Fear not people I managed to get the train but only after the taxi risked our lives by driving on the track next to the train to the amuzment of everyone riding on the roof....how embarrsing.
On the way to Riobamba I met an exspanish teacher and his family who adopted me for the day. They showed me the sights of riobamaba and took me to thier parents house for dinner which in ecuador consits of tea and bread. They were so sweet and gave me fruit from thier trees and bought me sweet bread for the journey to Cuenca! The people here are lovely and Im sad to be leaving for Peru tomorow. Im also excited as Ill be on the inca trail to maccu piccu in
Yey I made it
At the top...a grueling 4781 meters above sea level! 10 days time. However before I get there Ill have to take a 25 hour bus journey to lima then I hope to fly to cusco...oh its hard travelling!
At the moment Im in Cuenca trying to see some museums and churches as I didnt get to see as much as I wanted to in Quito! Its such a beautiful city however I dont think Ive seen an ugly city in Ecuador yet, Im in love with the place. Well I better go and eat (Im always hungry) then some of the guys Im in Cuenca with are taking me out for cervezas because its my last night in ecuador.
I hope your all not missing me too much 😉 Thanks for all the emails keep them coming!
Joanna
x
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Dad
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Hi Where are you
Hi Jo, Not heard from you in ages how are you doing? I assume yuo are still having a great time - well let us know. Bye XXX