Taxis

At the behest of Taylor I am writing a blog. Lets start of with a little poll to see what people know of the subject matter:

So? How'd ya do?

Really, in Ecuador, this is more of a philosophical/metaphysical question than an absolute. As such, there are no right answers, so be prepared for some SOCRATIC METHOD to be thrown at your candy ass!!!

The Macho Man is not impressed with your faulty logic,OHHH YEAAHH!!!

I'll just tell you that from my layman's knowledge, a taxi driver is someone who picks you up and drives you where you to go.


Now from my experience this is not always case. Say, for example, I have an empty tank of gas and I want to get up the hill to the bodega so I can refill it. I'll put out my hand to hail the taxi and the driver will look me in the eye and go all Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo on me.

REJECTED!!!

Typically in this situation, I have to take an unregistered cab (and by unregistered cab I mean "guy with a car who wants to make a few bucks"). Which is fine, but I usually have to wait a little longer and often wake up in a bathtub full of ice; but you gotta bite the bullet. Sometimes you just need gas.


Another time we were waiting with our cart outside our friendly neighborhood Megamaxi, which looks like this during the day:

.... and this when danger strikes:

So Taylor and and I were waiting by the curb and I hailed a cab. He drives into the circle and sees our cart and motions "no not you, them" and points at a couple of bimbos just walking out of the store with just a few bag. Well, you can guess where this is headed. The bimbos entered the cab. It was obvious that we had been waiting and had also hailed the cab, but why should they worry their pretty little heads about common human decency or an unwritten code. This isn't Nam. There are rules.

The next cabbie to pass me up is going
to enter a world of pain.

To conclude, if you are a cabbie and you have no fare and I hail you. Please, don't pass me by. Pick me up. You're making me feel like Danny Glover.

Quilotoa Weekend

Last weekend we went to Quilotoa with Sebas and Chuki! It was a great time, seriously a great time, but you probably wouldn't think that due to the lack of posting about it! Well, Ryan and I have been super duper busy with classes lately so, at least for me, there's been little extra time as I get used to my new schedule.

Let's start with last weekend -

Sebas came and picked us up from our place on Friday night and took us to his awesome house in Cumbaya (the valley). Ryan and I are both pretty sure that he likes Sebas's house more than he likes our house. He's no fool either, at Sebas's he has a big kennel, a big yard and more people to play with him. He basically loves it!

Sebas's Yard

The Kennel at Sebas's House

We spent the night at Sebas's because we were getting up early to head to Quilotoa. His Aunt made us dinner and it was delicious guatitita! Something we MUST learn how to make before we come home, which I believe will involve purchasing a pressure cooker which in turn will make Ryan SUPER happy!

Saturday we got up and left around 8 or so for Quilotoa. The men strapped Chuki's crate into the back of the pick up and off we went. This was the longest time Chuki's ever spent in his crate (by a lot!) and he did OK. He sat for most of the trip, which I can't imagine was comfortable but whatever! No crying, no whining, no trying to escape and actually no potty breaks.

Chuki's crate in the back of Sebas's pick up

We got to Quilotoa and it was just as beautiful as I expected. We hiked down to the water, ate our sandwhich lunch that I had made that morning and then hiked back up to the rim of the crater.

Quilotoa

The clouds coming down into the lake

A little bit later in the afternoon

As we were getting ready to leave one of the other dogs in the parking lot stole Chuki's big knuckle bone that we had bought him in Chicago! Ryan chased the dog down for a bit but without success. We left knowing we probably had just made that dog's year!

On our way to Banos we stopped in Salcedo for ice cream. According to Sebas, it's an Ecuadorian tradition. Every family has 'their helado' spot. This was his family's place!

Then we went to Banos because Sebas's Aunt has a house (different Aunt then the guatita making Aunt) there. It was such a cool old house! We both told Sebas that he needs to fix up the house and start renting it out, it was that cool!

The entrance to Sebas's Aunt's House

We went for dinner at Luna Runtun, which is a beautiful hotel on Tunguragua (a currently active volcano) that over looks all of Banos. It was really beautiful. Then we spent the night dancing in a couple of the different discos in downtown Banos.

At dinner at Luna Runtun

Downtown Banos

Sunday morning Chuki and I got up and went on a hike in Banos to the Virgin.

The city of Banos from above. 

Not a bad way to start the morning, with the beauty of the Andes. 

Then we drove home but the drive was INCREDIBLE. The way between Banos and Quito is called Ruta de los Volcanes because you're supposed to be able to see all of the volcanoes. The problem is we've gone that way tons of times and it's never been clear enough to see all of them. Well Sunday, we were in luck and we got to see every single one CLEARLY!

Chimborazo

Cotopaxi

Illinizas

Antisana

When we got home we were so tired that we just watched movies and napped all day. Chuki slept straight from when we got home (about 11am) until the next morning at 7am. It was an amazing weekend! THANKS SEBAS!

MULUB,

Taylor