It is very pretty, situated in a small valley with huge mountains on every side.
There is an active volcano, but no rumblings were felt other than our hunger. I admired the local fruit market, a lot of oranges to be sold. Makes me wonder why they ship them in from California?
I almost paid this man on the street to draw my picture, then thought better of it.
What did I do with my money in Banos? Had 80 minutes of heaven. That would be a massage. It was amazing. Although it was a strange feeling laying on this table naked while hearing the sounds of the street below. From people with loudspeakers shouting political messages in trucks, to bands, to sellers of every type of food. I tried to relax and enjoy it as best I could.
While perusing the streets of Ecuador I have noticed the large amount of trash in them. There is no shortage of trash cans though, but people seem a bit hesitant to use them. Maybe because they look like this?
The local candy in Banos is a taffy like substance that people pull and stretch in doorways. As unhygienic as it was, you know I had to buy some!
My review? It is okay. A good jaw workout whilst on the bus.
The local cathedral in Banos is gorgeous and has been re-built many times due to volcanic damage.
The walls of the interior are lined with huge depictions of their Santa Maria (which is a unique looking doll on the altar) saving the townspeople from multiple disasters over time. It was beautiful, although the doll was not my style.
Outside of the cathedral shops lined the square selling tchotchkes of every religious type.
Further down the street I saw my first (and hopefully last) cuy. Or guinea pig. So sad.
So I took a picture.
This town had a huge amount of people in it and navigating the streets was a bit frustrating. From cars everywhere, to tourists, to street vendors, it was a cacophony of Ecuadorean proportions.
That evening I checked into my hostel, basic but fine.
Boy did I appreciate the hot shower! And bathroom without sewage on the floor! It is the little things in life.
The group tried to go to the mineral baths that evening, but holey schamoley they were packed. Literally people in the pool standing shoulder to shoulder. We passed on that $2 excursion.
Dinner was at a restaurant that my guidebook recommended. It was advertised to tourists, had an extensive vegetarian menu, and it came in English. During dinner we had local musicians come play for us, they were excellent!
Dinner was not excellent. Received my meal with chicken, sent it back and received the same plate 2x with them just taking the chicken out of the noodles. I know some of you readers out there are thinking "This is Ecuador, get over it." But this restaurant was owned by an ex-pat, advertised to tourists, and knew better. I would expect this from eating at a locals only place, but not a place like this. Oh well. The french fries were good!
During our walk back to the hostel we contemplated taking a ride in the dinosaur mobile, but passed on it.
Sunday morning I took my life into my hands, or put it into the hands of some locals with really stretchy rope. The group of us went canyoning. This basically consists of rappelling down waterfalls.
Prior to this excursion, I thought I was the type of person to try anything. One waterfall in and I was so scared I almost cried.
I think adventure sports may not be for me. The whole time I kept envisioning being home safe with my dogs to give me something to focus on. I know pathetic. But hey, at least I tried it. Now I know I am not a canyoning gal. Hiking is so much more enjoyable to me, and will be my go-to activity in the future.
Post being scared out of my mind (but hey the views were gorgeous!) I did some grocery shopping and spotted a dog like Tuki!
Alas, it was time to return to the santuary/zoo. Let's call it zootuary for now.
At the bus station there are vendors selling the same thing at every stand. Sugar cane, candy, drinks, juice, and oranges. When you approach them they all yell and bang on their stands to get you to come over. I tend to purchase from the quieter ones. Who likes to be yelled at?
On the bus I had the joyous opportunity to watch a Jean Claude Van Damme movie.
Plot synopsis as follows:
Jean & family go to nightclub owned by a mobster. Mobsters son does a lot of cocaine and tried to rape Jeans wife. Jean intervenes, son pulls out knife, Jean deflects, son kills himself by falling on knife. Mobster finds out, vows vengeance. Rest of the evening is spent running and fighting with various criminals. In between he pulls out the bullets with his bare hands and puts on a lot of leather. Mobster kidnaps Jean's daughter. Jean goes to strip club to enlist old friend with large muscles. Retrieves daughter, hides her in a dumpster, fights a lot. Ends up killing mobster.
It was deep. All in Spanish dubbing, not sure why but so far every movie on the buses here has violence?
After the movie they turned on the lights. Blue lights with flashing rainbow colors.
I felt like I was in a bad dream.
Speaking of dreams last night I dreamt I was home. Then I woke up to monkeys crashing on the roof.
Today I was bitten by a monkey when I was feeding them.
So far this week is looking to be stupendous. (:
1 comment:
Sounds like you found a nice town...finally!
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