Hiking up Pichincha

Today Dan and I decided to get up and out of the city - and I am so glad we did. We headed West to the teleferico (i.e. gondola) that takes tourists and locals up to the base of Pichincha, a volcano on the edge of Quito. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Pichincha: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pichincha_Volcano

The most recent major eruption was in 1999. But don't worry- due to the geography of the area, the lava flows down the other side, away from the city - so an eruption doesn't pose a danger to the inhabitants of the city. In fact, one of our colleagues was telling us about watching Pichincha erupt through her kitchen window while she was eating breakfast! Apparently the only major concern with Pichincha is that a layer of ash covers everything for days after an eruption. 

 The hike up to Pichincha was breathtaking. All along the way there were striking views of the city and the valleys beyond on both sides - the pictures we took don't do it justice! 

  

We met so many friendly strangers along the way - and we also quickly learned that the 'end of the trail' was a subjective concept. After two hours of hiking we started asking returning hikers how much further we had left. The first few people we asked told us we had half an hour left, then later we were told we would be 'there' in ten minutes. Just as we thought we were reaching the end, the next group told us we had an hour and a half left! We kept walking...and the trail became increasingly uncertain. After spending quite a lot of time scrambling up rocks, we asked another group and discovered that there was another hour more to one end point, and another four hour trip to the spot we had been aiming for - where you could see into the volcano. 

At that point, we decided that the spot where we stood would be our 'summit' and we promptly turned around! Anyway, it was a fantastic day. I'm pretty happy with how far we walked, considering the high altitude and the fact that Dan sprained his ankle a few days ago (by falling in a hole in the road...but that's another story). 

I also surprised myself by how much I enjoyed hiking today - it was actually really fun! Who knows? Maybe I'll become a hiking buff after all.

 

Nuestra Casa!

Nuestra Casa!
Originally uploaded by LibbyS-L

Here is our humble abode..its pretty amazing!

Pictures above: views from the rooftop of La Merced, countryside on the way to Otavalo, at a park near Otavalo, preparing the bisquechos in Cumbaya

The last three days have been incredible, to say the least. We have been so impressed with how our school's staff has welcomed us to the city and helped us to make a smooth transition into Quito life.We arrived late at night on Wednesday after a Toronto - Miami - Quito trip with our new friends & colleagues Mike and Tanya. As we exited the plane we wondered to each other where we would sleep that night and what was going to happen to us. Fortunately, we we

re delighted to find several Einstein teachers waiting for us with a big sign and bigger smiles! After meeting the nine other new teachers who had recently arrived from Canada, the U.S and Israel, we headed off in our school bus to a beautiful hotel in downtown Quito where we found a roomy suite with a stunning view of the Pichincha volcano (a bit of a step up from our previous residence)! 

On Thursday and Friday we got to know the rest of the staff better, began to get our 

bearings in Quito and looked at apartments along with our helpful 'buddies'  Sandy and Barbie. On Friday afternoon we all herded back onto the school bus for a customized Einstein city tour. Our guide, Julio, showed us around  La Merced, La Compania de Jesus and La Iglesia de Santo Domingo, three of the most striking churches in downtown Quito. We had the oppor

tunity to explore several areas that are usually closed to the public, including the ro

oftop of La Merced, a church built in the 1700s. From here we had a panoramic view of old Quito, distinguished by an enormous statue of the Virgin of the Americas (that can be seen from almost anywhere in the city) and the seven 'sacred mountains' that shape its skyline. 

We also had a peek at La Ronda, a restored colonial neighbourhood with long, winding streets and a distinct, bohemian feel. Hidden behind each tiny street entrance, we discovered a maze of treasures waiting to be discovered: cafe's, artisan shops, music-filled bars, an open-air theatre...who knows what else? While walking by the window of a bar, a few of us sampled some canellazo, a traditional hot drink made with cane liquor, sugar, cinnamon and na

ranjilla juice. The taste? amazing. The price? 50 cents.

The evening ended with a wonderful dinner with new and old teachers at a restaurant that sat atop a huge hill, offering beautiful views of the city lights from all sides. We're both really looking forward to working with this group of open, friendly people!

We haven't stopped moving since we arrived in Quito - there is so much to do and see! Yesterday we left the city and explored the countryside with two families who invited us to come along on their daytrip to Otavalo. Otavalo is an unbelievable market and 

we enjoyed haggling in Spanish and seeing the incredible craftsmanship reflected in the jewellery, rugs, paintings and clothing that stretched over eight blocks of the town. On the way there we stopped in Cumbaya, a small town that is famous for its bisquechos y queso. Of course, we made sure that we sampled the local (delicious) fare. 

 It was so special to share in this experience and also to benefit from the local knowledge of our hosts! 

Today we are moving into our beautiful new apartment, which goes far beyond our expectations with a gorgeous view, a great terrace and a backyard for Soon-day, who arrives tomorrow (fingers crossed). 

I think that's as quick a summary as I'm capable of, given how much we have seen and done over the past few days! Looking forward to hearing from you all soon.

~Libby