I Haven't Paid for a Bus Ride Yet

The last week has been pretty rough for me, as I think I have actually become homesick. Either way, I know that I've definitely become restless in Ecuador--to the point that I have just started taking bus rides throughout the countryside for no real good reason (which actually has been one of the most peaceful and inspiring things that I've done yet). It has been nice, because I've been able to think about a lot of things... The sun set on my time in Puerto Lopez on Saturday, finding me on a bus ride to Guayaquil, only to take another bus ride to Baños the very next day. Despite all of the commotion, I have been constantly amazed by how beautiful Ecuador is, especially having now seen about every road in the country, at least three times.

Baños, for better or worse, is a tourist town--for International tourists and Ecuadorians alike--because of its well known hot springs, proximity to amazing hiking (and a live volcano), and a plethora of international restaurants. It is also probably one of the only places in the world where you will more often than not pay more for a meal that you will a hotel room. My brief stay there provided for an interesting experience or two...

I woke up yesterday morning at 6:30, tossed on my swim trunks, and headed to the thermal pools to soak up that sweet volcanic sulfer water. After about 10 minutes, I was feeling pretty good about myself, having been one of two non-Ecuadorians at the pools, AND having beat the masses there as well. Eventually--like is usually the case--the other non-Ec (an older woman from CO) engaged me in conversation and asked me how long I had been in Baños. At first, it seemed like she was friendly enough, but eventually she seemed like she just wanted to try to tout her traveling experience over my comparative youth... I tried my best to be cordial, as I wanted to stay in the pool, but with every question she asked and ever answer I gave she tried to tell me that I had the wrong opinion. Finally, I got up and left because she insulted Guanajuato, saying it was a poor excuse for a town, AND then insulted Mexicans in general, implying that they are all poor (another American that came to the pool shortly after told me that the woman was there yesterday and some Australian lady called her a racist--can't say I'm surprised...). Being incredibly bothered, and what turned out to be really dehydrated from having not drank enough water during my long bus ride because I didn't want to deal with the discomfort of holding it for nine hours, I sauntered back to my hostel still wet from the pools. Despite her ignorance, I had some pretty great thoughts develop as a result while I agonized in bed and drank water. An example, if you don't mind... Her justification for labeling GTO as a boring and bland city were that there were no good restaurants (Judy, if you are reading this I know it sounds familiar!), which really meant she didn't like spicy, or traditional, Mexican food. Later, after probably thinking about this way too intently, I came to the realization that there is a HUGE difference between a city that is great to live in and a city that is great to visit. I, too, prefer a variety of options when visiting somewhere, whereas when you live somewhere you just kind of make due with whatever you can find, because eating is probably not the most entertaining part of your day--you have friends and, well, a life. Think about it... seriously.

After some breakfast, and sufficient hydration, I wandered around town, deciding that I didn't want to take any pictures and that I needed a vacation of sorts, from my vacation... I stumbled across this place that rented out Quadrunners and spontaneously decided to jet up the side of a volcano in an attempt to beat the incoming clouds and capture a clear glimpse of this active giant... which recently erupted in 2006 (Its the vulcan Tunguruhua if you want to look it up). It was great for my restlessness, and I wish I would have had my camara after all. Jetsetting up the hill and catching this crystal clear view of the clouds colliding into the steam rising up from the volcano--the dark grey, ash filled, steam and the soft white swirling together--was probably one of the most memorable things I have ever seen in person. The rain came in, and I headed back down the hill happy, and slightly nauseous. I finished my day by being sick, watching City of God, packing my stuff up for the Galapagos Islands, and choking down some really good Phad Thai (?!?).

I felt better this morning, got on another seven hour bus, and arrived ready for the Galapagos Islands in the morning. I wonder what I will think of the Islands having not expected to go--I still haven't really thought about it, if you can believe that...