Reunions, The Middle of the Earth Again and an Apple

Well, my sadness after everyone left didnt last long...the past week has been awesome. 

It started off  with my girl Rhea (one of the bartenders from Loki) coming to Quito - a week after Ben left. I was so stoked to see her...a week of being solo was enough for me, especially since I am in limbo right now.

Our week started off great.  We one the pub quiz at the hostel, first prize being a free night at our sister hostel in Cotopaxi.  I was super stoked.  I had been there the week before just after Ben left.  It is amazing there! It is out in the county completely isolated.  There is no wifi, electricity only in certain areas of the property so candle light is the way to go, a hot tub, llamaw, a horse, three dogs, a cat, waterfall hikes, bike rides, horseback riding, volcano treks, endless miles of green country side with a spectacular back drop of the active volcanoes. There are 9 of them, Cotopaxi being the tallest (active volcano in the world).  

Sarah (another bartender from Mancora) was meeting us in Qujto the next morning so when she arrived she hopped on the shuttle and came with us to Cotopaxi.

It was so nice...and a breath of fresh air after spending so much time in a city.  We - the pub quizwinners there were 6 of us, 7 including Sarah - went on the (free) waterfall hike, but the girls were tired so they stayed  behind.

Alejandro - one of the volunteers from Quito was transfered there for a week to help out - led the hike.  It was only about 45 minutes to get there, and not really difficult but we did have to scale a low wall at one point which wasnt my favourite part. It may have been low; but low or high its all the same to my disagreement with heights...of course I made it (with help).  Then just before the water fall there was a 7 meter drop into xthe lower waterfall.  This wasnt in the description I thought...but again (with help) I made it.  However, I was covered in mud - the only one covered in mud - because I have to left feet and use all fours to get up and down quite a bit....how I was a trained dancer for all those years is beyond me.

The rest of the time we relaxed, listened to music, read, snuggled with the dogs, drank wine, enjoyed the hot tub and took advantage of the hammocks which have an amazing view.

Just like the previous time,  I didnt want to leave...but, my weekend was just as good.

Me and Quique (one of the guys staying at the hostel), went to the equator.  I know I have already been, but I lost all my photos when my camera got stolen and I wanted pictures.  We decided to go to the other (first/fake) equator first and then walk over to the other one (the one I had been to).

Instead of a hiring a taxi we took the bus...heaps cheaper...only a total of $0.90 there and back.  It was an hour and a half, but made for the adventure...especially when the bus decided to take off when I had one foot on the platform and the other hanging out of the door...even after I yelled WAIT it didnt stop...got to love the safety in South America.

We had an absolute blast at the (fake) equator.  It is so different then the apparantly real one -  it is said that is not on the real equator.  The place is like a theme park, restaurants, shops, dancers, theatres and of course the huge monument that marks the equator line.

For two hours we just took pictures, we sat down on the ground in front of the monument and just did handstands, cartwheels, took photos for others in between...it was a blast. At one point, Quique squatted to make a funny pose when a loud popping sound happened; it almost sounded like an air tight bottle of pop had just been opened.  He looked at me with dread in his eyes "shit! That was the sound of my pants and Im not wearing any underwear, they are in the laundry.." - which we had dropped ofd before leaving.   I laughed so hard...it was one of the highlights of my day  and for once it wasnt one of my misfortunes. I told him it was good to let his balls breathe once in awhile anyways.

   We walked to the other one -the one I had already been too - so I could take a picture but they wanted to charge me $4 just to take a picture...WITH MY OWN CAMERA!  I was only two feet away from the sign and they still wouldnt let me snap a picture without receiving their $4...so we left.  I was a little annoyed but I had some great photos from the memorial so wasnt to fussed.

It rained on the bus ride back and it didnt help that we got dropped off at the other end of the city...me in shorts...and had about an hour walk ahead of us.  We were lucky to have a young Equadorian guy lead the way for us...he was really sweet and super stoked when he found out I was from Canada, "Whistler?"  was all he asked me.   After walking about 10 minutes, Quique and I decided to get a cab as I was freezing - it had been hot when we left so I was in shorts - but it wasnt that easy to get one.  A lot of times they just wave their finger at you and drive past...annoying as...so we just kept walking the streets, streets that werent so ... nice?  "Ummm, all the men are staring at me, even the old ones," I said.  "Just keep walking, we will go right where that car turned."   What a difference a street makes,  we were instantly in a better area and got a taxi back with a driver who didnt believe we were just friends, that we must be lovers "not now, but possibly later tonight," was Quiques reply (in Spanish).  It was honestly such a great day, probably one of the most fun times I have had in awhile,  I think because it was so random, so unplanned so their were no expectations so really nothing could go wrong.

Ben showed up for the weekend.  I was so happy to see him, I had really missed him and was quick to push him into a corner and talk his ear off for half an hour.  He loved it.  I was angry at him however as I had already said goodbye to him and didnt want to do it again.  "Dont cry Emmie" he said as he gave me a hug.  "I dont want to waste my tears on you anyways." I said...and no I didnt cry when he walked away.

The girls left the next daylater, I was sad.  I didnt want to say goodbye to them again...it was so great having them in Qutio. Plus I was a little jealous that they were going together,  I wanted to go with them, but my gust is not going that way so we did the I love yous, hugs and kisses and they were gone.  Though,  my mate Grant, from back home was in Quito for the night.  I hadnt seen him in about a year and a half so having him there the day they left really helped and it was totally rad having a familiar face from back home.

By mid week two of my boys from Mancora were passing through (the Batcherlors -  that is their last name) for a night so I got to catch up with them.  It was pub quiz night, though this time I wasnt the winning team.  I really didnt care, it was just so nice catching up with them.

They were the last of my Mancora crew to head off.  Its a litte sad actually, there was such a big crew of us that it was great running into everyone a long the way...now their gusts have taken them to Colombia and I am still in Quito.  I do really like Quito,  I like the hostel and the friends I have made, plus I am tutoring English which I enjoy.  I am tutoring one of the chefs and her son.  They live next door to the hostel so the location is perfect and they have two little kittens, they can fit into the palm of my hand.   My favourite is Jack, he is all black and he climbs up my leg and curls up in my lap while I am tutoring.  Oh...and excitement...when I arrived at my last session she gave me an apple,  my first teachers apple!!  I dont know if she knew the significance behind it or was just giving me a snack but I didnt care...I got a teachers apple!!!

Im hoping to get a few more students in the next few weeks so I can make some money and move on to the next place.  For now,  I am here, quite content and enjoying my time and I am on a transfer for the weekend at our Cotopaxi for 5 days....ahhh, country life.

                                                                                              - My Beautiful Life -

La Pluma de Sola

Goodbyes...I hate them.  It is one of the inevitabilities of travel.  It hangs around in the background while you and your feathers adventure, having the time of your life...watching, waiting ... and then swoops down and punctures a hole in your whirlwind of happiness. Its like a tragedy...the death is always foreshadowed...you know its going to happen you just dont know when, and then it makes an appearance, laughs at you and leaves just as quickly.  Sometimes it happens sooner than later or even later than sooner, but it still happens.  You think your prepared but it still leaves you saddened when it happens. Its one of the down falls of traveling, and one of the things I hate the most.

When I said goodbye  in Mancora I made myself stay non emotional...the preparation I gave myself mentally actually worked...I dont know how, but it did.  For once I was able to walk away without a tear - even though I miss everyone heaps - I knew my time there was over.  However this preparation doesnt seem to be working when seperating from people I travel with.

New clusters of feathers always blow in your direction when floating on the wind, always (of course) creating a wonderful havoc of adventure and discourse.  You laugh, you cry and share crazy stories and feelings that are the most important at that moment, and then with a swoosh of a breeze, directions change...again.

I tell myself, a few weeks ago you didnt know them, but the intensity of friendships in those few weeks is something that seems to be an emotion that I just cant manage to let go of with ease these days.  You would think with four years of experiencing this it would be a little less heart felt because you know from day one that when floating, gusts will always blow you in different directions. However, no matter what you plan and promise, goodbyes are a guarantee.  

With the guarantee of goodbyes and winds blowing you in different directions,  are the friendships and amazing adventures the whirlwinds bring with them...and for these, I am greatful; and they dont always end up with a crash landing into the previous nights leftovers or the murky waters of what was.  Sometimes you are left floating on a calm river, content with your memories and even the goodbyes. You float slowly looking at new surroundings coming across others floating through as well, waiting for the next gust to come and take you on your next adventure.

This is the first time in six months I have really been on my own and, even 

though content, I am a bit lonely.  Constantly floating with others (even in the murky waters I was still never alone) made it easy to forget that I am solo.  I forgot  the feeling  of being on my own and it feels kind of strange, almost unknown.  Unknown like the silence I had to allow myself to go back to, though not as scary or intimidating. Its calm.  I can think and focus, though lonliness can wrap around you at times.  I miss having someone to talk to, take pictures with or even just to hang out with.  

I am in Quito, floating nicely and quietly, volinteering at a hostel while I decide which gust is the right one for me.  The tranquility of solitude is refreshing and I am focussed but I miss my friends feel lonely at times.  The  lonliness accompanied with endless days of rain seems to bring heaps of hours to think and remember.  As sad as I am our gusts took us in different directions the memories make me smile and fill me with warmth.

Lesina, Ben and Matt, the past few weeks have gone by so fast...from Loki, to a relaxing two days in Montanita, an adventurous weekend in Banos, a Whirlwind in Quito all connected with never ending hours on the bus.  I had a blast and some of my best memories in South America.  Fake wedding and divorce papers, Lessie the Lizard, Matts never ending stories, Lesinas bottomless stomach and snacks in her locker, Ben having to do up our pants because we gsined too much weight, Inside Out, a non existant diet to look like the people on the posters, leaving emails for babes at the tour office, and team meetings.  You guys have given me so many memories..thank you for everything, your friendships, for always being there, for loving me for me, Ben for being my bus buddy and being there for me after Lesina left when I really needed a friend, Lesina for being besties with me, Matt for being you.  Also for getting me - or Ben making me - do one thing everyday that scares me...it was all worth it.

 I am saddened that our time together is over but unfortunately our winds have blown us in different directions as it does when you choose the life of a feather.  We may want to float on together but in this life you only get a short gust together...as the saying goes *we are here for a good time, not a long time.* 

Float safely on your journeys and let your gust take you where you are meant to blow.  Where am I going? Where ever my gust picks me up and takes me.  Esta pequeña pluma es lista.

                                                                  - My Beautiful Life -

                                                                    

                                                                                           

A Target at the Centre of the Earth

Not only have I been to the edge of the earth but I have been to the centre of the earth...the equator.   The equator  in Ecuador (hence the country's name)....pretty cool if i say so myself.

There are acually two equator destinations.  The original and the correct one.  What do I mean by original? Well, there are two destinations because originally this is where the equator was thought to be, and is marked by a large monument. However, with new technology - GPS - it was discovered that it was 800 meters  -I could be wrong with the number - off from where the equator actually was.  The monument of the original still stands and is still an attraction, but the new one with the museum is the one you want to go to.  

The museum is pretty cool and focuses on a tribe in the jungle - unfotunately I can't remember the name of the tribe. We got to see a real human shrunken head which was cool.  Back in the day when they defeated their enemies they cut of their heads shrunk them   - only a half our process - and then wore it around their neck.  They still shrink heads today but now they do it with family members in rememberence.   We also saw a grave which had been set up to mimic what was burried when the husband of a family died.  One thing being a large clay vase like thing where the body of his wife was put...alive!  If the man died first, his wife would be drugged and burried with him....pretty morbid.  However,  if she died first, he would re-marry...I love the equal rights.  

Petrified tarantulas were incased in the museum as well as a penis fish which are this long narrow fish that swim  up the penis and then open up there jaw and live off the blood and have to be surgically removed.   When going in the river the men put their penis up in a belt to avoid this painful situation.  It does happen to women as well though Im not sure what they do to avoid it.  

The guide showed us experiments on the equator line which were really interesing, one being with a sink.  On the equator water drains straight down, when the sink is moved to the Southern Hemisphere and then the Nothern Hemisphere the water will go either clockwise or counter clockwise depending on which hemisphere its in.   Walking along the equator is difficult as the pul from each hemisphere pulls you.   You can stand an egg straight up, though its a bt of a challenge and Ben was the only one that ended up being able to do it and he got a certificate.   

There is a stone clock that sits right on the equaator line that has two faces, one facing the Northern Hemisphere and one facing the Southern.  The face that is used to tell the (exact) time depends on the time of year.   The length of day and night never change and there are no seasons either...it always stays the same in the center of the earth.

 We learned about monsoons and hurricanes...they are the same, however their names tell you what hemisphere they come from.   Water and wind move in a different direction depending on their hemisphere - just like we were shown with the sink - therefore when we hear monsoon we know its in the Southern Hemisphere.   It was really interestng learning  all the stuff and not just about the country I'm in but about the planet...I felt a bit smarter when we left haha.  Plus we got our passorts stamped!  

When we got back Ben camee with me so I could buy a tablet and get back into electronic commnication. It took us two hours but we finally found a brand new table, plus an SD card and a cord so I could recharge my camera - as my cords were stolen wen I got robbed - or $210.   I was so excited!!!  I couldnt wait to be conected again a nd be able to write whenever I wanted.

We had a family dinner that night with a botttle of voldka as it was our last night together and then we headed to a bar.   We had a blast and ran into someother fellow travelers we have met along the way.  When the plce closed we just hung around out the front ...drunk...asnd chatted.

  This was where our night to a turn for the worst.   I put my hand in my purse and realized my camera was gone....robbed again!!!  I freaked, I had just had it.  I had given it to one of my friends to take a picture, he gave it back, I pu it in my purse -  which is a small over the shoulder one, as small as a clutch, and was closed - and never saw it again. I was so upset I started crrying.  The second time in four weeks...seriously!!! Plus...al my pictures from everthing we had just done includng the equator, and all the good group photos were on my camera.   Once again my photos gone   - which is why nothing has been posted as I have nothing to post.  Honestly...I am so sick of being a target.  Its like I have a stamp on me I AM A GRINGA PLEASE ROB ME.  I am so sick of it.  I hate not feeling safe...its getting annoying...but I guess that is all part of the adventure right?   After Lesina calmed me down, we decided to head back to the hostel to get Ben as he had taken off and then go to a house party we got invited to.  However Ben wasnt in his bed when we got back.  It was 3am where could he be. I checked the bathroom.  "Ben?"  I heard moaning coming from one of the stalls.  I called him again and again I heard moaning.  I started banging on the door "Ben, hun open the door please.  Come on, open up."  I heard the lock and the haandle turn and Ben fell out.  He had been sick everywhere and was competely out of it.  I  knew by the looks of him he wsnt drunk, he had been drugged, and it was pretty bad.  

After 3 hours of being in the bathroom with  blankets, water and fresh clothing we finally got him into bed.   It took him a few days to recover...he even skipped going to Colombia with Lesina and Matt and moved hostels with me as I am once again volunteerng.  He didnt want  be alone and I didnt want to leave him be alone.

I worked and he rested for a couple of days getting his strength and even came with me and another of our mates from the trail so I could by  camera.  This one has wifi connection and will  download automatically to my tablet ten drop box...I am not losing anymore photos.   The work and hostel are chill which is nice  and I really like the people I work with.  Plus I am of course practicing my Spanish...I even have a little pocket dictionary which helps so much. I take it everywhere, even when Ben and I  went to   the  Mercado de Otovalo...the biggest open air market in South America.    

The bus ride there was so uncomfortable though.  Whe we got on the bus they had sold our seats so we sat upfront behind the driver on a rock solid bench.   The view was good though, especiaally when we got to this huge trafic jam on the highway and all these people were selling stuff on the road.  They were selling everything from phone chargers, 20 manderines for $1, bottled water and even porn.   I took us over 3 hours to get to the market..longr than expected...which meant by the time we arrived I had to hop on another bus and head back to the hostel and work.   

  Life has been pretty  chill whch is nice though I have lost my tan.   was offered a teaching position in  Quito but the hours dont work with my hours at the hoste.  With money being really slim right now I cant afford to not have free accmodation, plus the pay is less than Peru but everything is more expensive so I unfortunately had to decline. So now,  I am just chilling and waiting to see where the wind takes me.

                                                                      - My Beautiful Life -

At the Edge of the Earth

Our last day in Banos we planned a 4 hour day trip.

We hired a cab for the day - only $32 - and headed off to the famous waterfall, Pailon del Diablo.  It was about a 20 minute drive out there,  driving up through windy roads - my vertigo getting a little aggitated.  A little waterfall was pouring down onto the road so the driver stopped to give his car a rinse.  

The waterfall was amazing, we spent two hours there.   It is a bit of a hike there, but the views are amazing.  

There are two sides to the waterfall.   The first side when walking down to the view point you can hear and feel the vibration of the waterfall, it literally felt like it was pulsing through my blood.  

To get to this side however, we had to cross a suspension bridge, two of them actually.  Perfect, heights, my favourite.  It can be difficult sometimes when people dont understand the effects of vertigo.   It took me almost five minutes to get a foot on the bridge.  Then then a minute to grab my balance and then enough courage to turn around and stand there while our picture was taken.   But of course, I dont let my fears stop me and eventually crossed both bridges.

There is only one viewing point from this side and you can see to the other side with the stairs swirling down into the rocks, people taking pictures and of course the waterfall itself.   Our driver
came with us which was awesome because he took all our photos for us, plus Lesina practiced her Spanish with him the whole time.  She is getting better then me, Im so jealous!

The boys wanted to head to the other side.  Lesina and I werent to keen as the hike back up was a little tough but when we were told it would take about an hour on the otherside we decided to go.  This time walking over the suspension bridge with ease, and quickly so I could be on it as short as possible.

It was so worth it!!!  There were more viewing points on this side and the views were beautiful.   The first one was a bit of a mission.  You pretty much had to crawl on all fours through a little cave which was a little bit claustrophobic.  When I got to the end - "Emmie your small you go first" - it didnt seem like we could go any further but we had to climb up stairs that were carved into the rock to get out into the open.   We were so close the water fall that we could reach out and touch it...so I did.  


We spent about 15 minutes taking pictures from every spot possible as we were on a bit of a tight time frame and still had to hike back up about a half hour.  My lungs and legs screamed at me but it was so worth it and really glad I push myself most times to do things.

Our next stop was at the edge of the earth.   As you can guess it has to do with heights.  Why not.  I had already abseiled, zip lined and walked across two suspension bridges.  Why not sit on a swing

that goes over a cliff?  Sure, its super safe.   I could see the branches moving as people swung back and forth creaking with every back and forth sway.   I got on without hesitation, pushed back, and let myself go.  It almost felt like I was flying.  I was scared but it felt awesome.  Up in there air at the edge of the earth with Tungurahua, the active volcano, as a back drop.   Who thought being so close to the edge could feel so good.  Do one thing everyday that scares you.  Think I might try and make this my new saying instead of my famous What the fuck did I get myself into, but we will see how that goes.

We had to race back to the hostel, grab our stuff and hop on the bus.  We made it with about 10 minutes to spare.   We were heading to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador.  I was a little sad to leave Banos.  So many people we had met in Mancora and Montanita had arrived, plus Banos is beautiful.  The rolling mountain landscape was something I didnt want to say goodbye too but a new destination was in place and only three hours away.

When we arrived at the hostel the kitchen was closed and nothing on the streets was open.   We hopped in a cab that said McDonalds was open but that was closed when we got there.  Thankfully, KFC has later hours and we were able to pack our bellies with it at 11pm and then head straight to bed.

Quito is beautiful.   Our hostel was located in Old Quito - we have switched hostels.   It has a European feel to it, almost like Prague but without the cobblestone street and gothic architecture.  Its beautiful, with colourful buildings and small European like streets with a back drop of Cotopaxi Mountain in the background.  

We went into Mariscal for lunch, the newer part of Ecuador and tourist area as every five minutes someone walks up to you and tries to sell you sunglasses - a key thing in the tourist areas.  

Mariscal is modern, clean, with pubs and bars, shops, music a good vibe and lots of sunshine.  I love it!!!  Walking around made me feel giddy.  I dont know why.  I guess just after everything the past few months I feel 100% happy again, and feeling that way makes me even more happy.  

After lunch, a build your own burger for under $7 -  it is American dollars here which is great but I spent so much time in Peru I am converting everything to soles which completely changes what cheap and expensive is - and a pitcher of beer, it was close to 4pm.  With not much time left of daylight we decided to go up the mountain by cable car to get a view of Quito.  This I definitely wasnt a fan of.  I have been in one before and my vertigo just goes through the roof.  "Guys Im not overly keen on doing this,  I have done this before and it is one thing that I dont like"  "Emmie,  what did you tell me yesterday.  What is something you have been saying for the last five days now." Ben said to me harshly  "Yes I know but honestly, I really dont like cable cars."  "Oh so you forgot what you told me already, have you?"  I started laughing "No I havent forgotten.  You guys really dont know what vertigo feels like."

I went,  I dont let my fears stop me,  I may hesitate, but I still do things that scare me.  What would be the point in exploring this beautiful world if I let my fears control my actions.  

I freaked.  I held on to Bens leg squeezing it the higher we got.  He sat there laughing at me.  Matt played some weird music which set the mood for the car falling off the wire and us plummeting to our death.  He changed it.  

The views were beautful.  A landscape of green mountains speckled with the life of the city, Cotopaxi
in the background with an overlay of clouds thats seemed to be protecting the life underneath.  Once again worth it.  

Going down was heaps easier, though at times it seemed like we werent moving at all so getting back down on the ground was a nice feeling.

Well, today we are off to the equator, how cool is that.  I am super stoked.

I love Ecuador.

                                                                                                     - My Beautiful Life -