Ecuador

We have had internet problems so we are way behind and are trying to catch up.
Please bear with us.

The border crossing from Columbia was easy and fairly quick.  We were sad to leave a country that we had come to love.  We entered the northern part of Ecuador.  This is a beautiful,mountainous area and the people appear like we thought the indigenous people would.  They are very short and small.  The men wear ponchos and felt hats.  the women wear white blouses, long black skirts and lots of gold around their neck.  They strap their babies to their back with a strip of cloth.  They are know for their spinning of thread and weaving.  We visited a huge marketplace where they displayed their work.  There was also the biggest vegetable and fruit market that we have seen.  So much I didn't recognize,  There were huge cabbages,cauliflower,berries of all kinds, chicken parts, peas and many kinds of beans.  Also huge bags of papas(potatoes).  It was most interesting to wander through the area.

We had a wonderful surprise in Ecuador.  Deisel price is $1.03 a gallon!!!!  First time in many years that we have seen that.  Oh,  did I mention that the dollar is the currancy used?

The country side was a patchwork quilt with acres of greenhouses.  The steepest hill was cultivated.  We were at 8,000ft elevation so temps were cool.  Goes down in the 40 at night and 60 during the day.  We reach 12,000 in the mountains and one must be careful of these high altitudes.  The roads are excellent but Bill's skill as a driver has been tested and he has passed so far.

We visited the big , capitol city of Quito.  It is a very modern city with an American presence.  We counted 6 Ky. Fried Chicken places.  We took a tour to the Equator and its' momument.  This is called the Middle of the Earth.  GPS reads 00.0000 and when Bill pulled the stopper from the sink the water did not swirl but went straight down.  One would think you would be hot but it was jacket weather because of the elevation.

As we moved toward the coast the country really changed.  There were huge banana plantations and chochalate beans.  The Indians were not present in the coast.  The area was very poor,dusty and dirty.

We have met some really nice folks in Ecuador.  Our motorhome draws a crowd whenever we park.  They are intrigued by the South America signs our son put on the hood and the sides of the vehicle.  But they do not seem as friendly and are more serious that our smiling faces of Columbia.

We will cross into Peru next and new experiences await.

Gerry and Bill