Ecuador March 2013

    Got me an official Panama hat at the hat factory.  When I was in Panama I was told they really came from Honduras and because it was 'discovered' in Panama, it became known by that name.  Now, I am assured it is really from the county side in Ecuador. Made from a grass that grows by the water.
   Windows in the area of Cuenca are not only tinted a very dark blue or green they are in interesting shapes. Such as deep curve, steps, pointed, corner angle. Far more fun than a straight and clear one.  
  Ecuador is the closest to the sun of the world, the world bulges and the Andes are very high.  Concerning altitude, I seemed to have found the answer for it.  Besides not going there.  I took Gingo Biloba and Vit C twice a day and drank lots of water.  No problem. Much better than the drug I took on the Silk Road.  No side effects. 
   Ecuador has so much, mountains, volcanoes, deep valleys, desert, huge bromiliades and tulip trees.   Roses are a big export, there are valleys full of green houses. 
   Yes, the leaders were not who I was to be with, they were brilliant.  Domingo from Spain and Katie from the UK.  The end story of the wrong trip is that the US local agency booked me on the wrong trip.  Did not want to give me any compensation because, after all, I took the trip.  Well, yes, I was there.  In the end I got about half of the value of it back.  
   We drove one hour to go 10 KM up a very windy, steep and full of road works to get to the volcanic crater lake at 4,000 meters.  There was the lake, emerald green and still emitting gases from the center of the earth. The earth is so black, that is why it is know as the agricultural part of the county.  Where the road is cut thru, the earth undulates in big arcs.  This is high in the Andes, so I could see how violent the area was and is. 
   A funny part of the trip is that if you call the Dragoman truck a bus, you must wear the 'truck pants', which are big panties with a drawing of the truck on the back.  It usually cures the person that made that mistake.  Except for the one that likes the limelight.  Always one.
    On to the Amazon. The boat trip down the Rio Napo took about 7 hours, sitting on a board with a small cushion. But, hey, we are on an adventure.  On the river was this flotsam, it can be seen in many rivers, looks like froth.  It is from protozoa mixing with sub-terranian  gases.  Some were so thick they resembles a cream colored brush. We are on a special boat that is kinder to the erosion that is happening on the river banks due to big motor boats that go fast. Our boat was narrow and shallow. As we go closer to the lodge, we passed our local guide paddling in his dugout canoe.  His name is Junanchito.  He will lead us on the 'walk' in the jungle.  He leads the way cutting thru with his machette.  Where is Indiana Jones or Tarzan? Very exciting for this mature white girl until the rain comes.  I do mean RAIN. So hard it goes up my nose under my hat.  This is a rain forest.  Humm.  He cuts me a walking stick as we are climbing over fallen logs as high as my hip, streams, mud so thick our Wellies get stuck. There was a tree that was about 30' in diameter, it is the place to go when lost or feel in danger from animals as you can shelter in its root system which are like wings and they cannot sneak up on you.  We are shown many plants used for medicine, one was Dragon Blood, put some on a sore tooth area. I am sure it got better.  Was just about to try the Tarzan vine swing when a big black spider fell on the inside of my elbow area and bit me.  I had to swipe it three times for it to let go.  Ouch, it burned for a day and was hot and red for many days,  So, now swing for me that day. One of the young men had gotten a yellow slicker, so when he flew thru the air, it was like Robin-of Batman fame.  We had him do it again, it was so cool. As the walk went on, I did slip down a bank and my legs got so heavy I could hardly lift them.  Katie held my hand and encouraged me until we finally could see the lodge. If I let my mind wander for a second, I tripped, twice.