Expedition Maya: Conquest of the Temple of Siesta: Ecuador I (August 3rd

Ecuador gave the adventurers friendly welcome right at the first stop in a small town of Otavalo. Its poncho market, indigenous people in traditional dresses and misty mountains all around have created almost fairy-tale atmosphere. Next day a walk around Laguna Mojanda was on the agenda, experiencing breathing sparse air at almost 3.800 meters above the see level for the first (but definitely not the last) time during the expedition. After visiting small agricultural village of Rubichaca the expeditioners have moved forward to Quito.

Indigenous people of Otavalo

Farmers in Rubichaca

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, made surprisingly good impression mainly for its colonial architecture and relaxed pace. The adventurers enjoyed the view of Quito's roofs from the very top of the Basilica del Voto Nacional. They also didn't miss a chance to buy a pack of nuts from nuns in Santa Calina monastery who are forbidden to leave or even talk to outsiders so the order had to be passed via rotating window.

El Fredovito climbing to the top of the cathedral

Don Madonarra waiting for the order from hidden nuns

What really shall not be missed in Ecuador is to step on equator at Mitad del Mundo, which is only about an hour away from Quito. The official monument with planetarium and randomly walking lamas was quite nice for souvenir shopping but the museum in nearby village provided even more fun. Using experiments, the English speaking guide explained scientific reasons behind the main differences in physical behavior at the north and south hemisphere and the equator itself (such as opposite direction of water rotation, lower weight and endurance etc.). Not to forget, El Fredovito received birthday wishes from the rest of adventurers both from south and north hemisphere!

Lama walking around Mitad del Mundo

Expeditioners right on the equator

A loop around countryside in the middle of Ecuador was on the schedule for the next few days. On late Friday afternoon, expedition arrived to tiny village of Tigua. After realizing that the only "commercial" accommodation costs about 20 dollars per person (official currency here is U.S. dollar), they persuaded a local farmer to provide an empty room in his under-construction house. Always smiling inhabitants proved their friendliness and prepared a big pot full of potatoes and beans. As it gets quite cold after nightfall and there was nowhere else to go, the only program for the evening was a desk game of Eufrat and Tigris.

Eating potatoes from a friendly villager

Adventurers fighting for their kingdoms during Eufrat and Tigris

In the morning, they set off to Zimbahua, famous for its Saturday markets. And it really met its reputation. Mix of different colors, fragrances, sounds and indigenous people created unforgettable moments. On a back of a "camioneta" (local truck), they moved to Laguna Quilotoa. Five-hour long hike in the mountains around the crater in 3.900 meters above the see level was extremely tiring but definitely worth it. Destination for the following day, Chugchilan, was visible from one of the peaks.