Farewell Quito and Ecuador

June 1st 2008

I woke up early with the goal of getting a picture perfect postcard shot of Cotopaxi (the mountain I hiked yesterday) from 100 km away. Of course there were too many clouds and my perched effort on the southern side of an Andean mountain for 90 minutes was futile. The clouds and mist were just not cooperating.

I realized why I really noticed Cotopaxi on my way to Mindo with Leslie 2 days ago. It is a huge backdrop to Quito that is usually covered with clouds during the winter months (thus, it goes unnoticed). One girl on my Cotopaxi hike yesterday said she has been in Quito for 6 weeks and the view 2 days ago was her first spotting of the mountain (and she looks everyday).

At least i have a really good mental image locked into my brain - that's what really counts I am slowly learning.

My next mission was to find the Jungle Chocolate factory. I tasted this jungle chocolate and I am a big fan. My mission was somewhat successful (closed on Sundays - duh) as i buzzed the office and spoke to the caretaker. I found out the name of who I need to speak to (Senior Lar) in order to get information about bringing the chocolate to Canada. I also found out how much it costs to buy single boxes direct from the manufacturer without the wholesale discount.

The chocolate is fresh cocoa beans processed and slightly sweetened with cane sugar. Then, added with nuts, raisins etc. to make a delicious and healthy jungle trail mix con chocolate.

I checked out of my hostel and made my way over to Diego's (my Quitenian friends). His brother Juan let me in and I chatted while he hand washed and hung his laundry. Diego and Fausto were out buying groceries. When they returned from shopping, we made rice, chicken, fresh Pineapple juice, Papas Fritas, and avocado (Ecuadorians use 2 things when they cook: a lot of SALT and a lot of vegetable OIL).

We went up to the park to play soccer and Volleyball ( "Voli" is really big in certain South Am countries).

Reminiscent of my first day in Quito and providing symbolic closure to my stay, I played games with my friends in the same park I met them in.

A group was playing soccer on the cement pitch while we played volley ball on the upper cement court. The four of us were challenged to a game of 3-0n-3 volleyball for money (1 dollar each person). 50 days ago i was a mere spectator of this cultural phenomenon, now I was a natural part of it. I played the first 2 matches (tied 1 - 1) but had to leave early to catch my flight to Lima (I left my USD dollar in Diego's shoe just in case they lost the deciding game).

I said goodbye and let them know they have a place to stay in Canada when\if they visit. As Petroleum Engineer's in the making, they seem happy to know somebody who speaks English and lives in an stable oil producing country. It is a perfect trade off for me; I have Spanish translators for my South American interests and more importantly friend's to visit in Ecuador.

Peru, what do you have for me? Here I come!