Hotel Dona Esther Otavalo

... also that hangovers were far worse. Patience is a virtue so I waited until the 3rd night to test the theory - and was not in a position to disagree the next morning. Unfortunately the hangover coincided with a 5.30am rise in the morning and leaving camp by 7am. We then spent whole day travelling to the Amazon basin and spent 3 nights 2 days at an eco-friendly lodge on the banks of the one of the amazon tributories (apologies for spelling - no spell check on this ...

We rose in Ipales, Colombia, to a ready made breakfast of eggs, toast and jam one of our rewards for splurging on a hotel. Our plan today was just to head across the border and get to Otavalo in Ecuador by sunset, we were just 2.5km from the border crossing.<br><br>First, however, we wanted to look at the market in Ipiales, and off we went, having packed our bags and left them at the hotel. Check out time isn't until 3pm, one of the things I like about Colombia is that there is not a rush ...

... are cute as buttons - many of them in their 70s of better, and most of them dressed in their tribal attire. As you pass by, even if you aren't buying, they always have a pleasant "buenas dias" or "buenas tardes", and as they begin to recognize you that's followed with "como esta usted?". Striking up a conversation with them is never a chore. We also have the Super Mercado on Leather Street - they carry canned goods, pasta, paper and cleaning goods, a few toiletries ...

... because Cecilia´s mother is such a good cook. Always coffee or herbal water with bread for breakfast, sometimes an egg. Then for lunch: soup (best soups ever, especially yuca, white carrot, or potato) plus another plate of food (rice, meat, and a vegetable like yuca, beans or beets). And then the merenda late at night: more soup, coffee again and bread. Such a simple lifestyle that really doesn´t take much getting used to because its so comforting and easy ...

... to see the Saturday market which is relatively famous in the area. It takes place at the Plaza de Ponchos, which is the main plaza of the town. It was actually quite impressive with so many vendor stands that the streets converted into mazes. The market spilled from the plaza to the streets and went for several blocks beyond in just about any direction. <br><br>Our two hours shopping wound up converting into the whole day. We would probably have bought more if luggage ...

... wanted to be closer to Quito in order to cultivate our new friendship with Mark and Nancy as well as be closer to services.<br><br>Our altitude sickness has improved a great deal - thanks to everyone for your prayers. Quito is at 2500 meters above sea level, and Edmonton is around 700 m above sea level. The kids and I , living in Telchac Puerto were of course, at sea level for the last 9 months. Quite the adjustment.<br><br><br>

... After lunch we went back to the hostel and hired bikes to investigate the local area. We soon found out that the bikes did not like any sort of hill. Mine had a part of the handlebar missing and the chain came off within thirty seconds, whereas Keir´s seemed to have far more terminal problems whereby any substantial force meant the gears locked. The adventure was definitely worth it, however, as we rode to an incredible 80 foot waterfall. The power of the ...

... children: ages 6, 3, and 8 months. It is quite a change from living in an apt. in Chicago with people my age. The 8 month old, Gabriel, is finally starting to warm up to me and now allows me to hold him. He is adorable especially when he tries to hit everyone because they are hugging his mom. The three year old, Alex, will soon be my niece's novio ...