New Country: New Zealand

Before I discuss my most recent adventures, my mother wanted me to take a moment to inform my readers of what "passing out" means.  When I use this phrase in relation to an evening of inebriation, I do not mean that I randomly lost consciousness on the street/during conversation/etc.; I am simply implying "falling asleep."

Ok, now that that's out of the way, let's discuss my first week here in New Zealand.  I arrived after what I believe to be about a 14 hour flight from Buenos Aires, Argentina (I fell asleep before the plane doors even shut, so I am not positive of the exact length) and arrived in Auckland at around 8:00 a.m.  My first day in the city was a bit of a waste because I was severely jet lagged;  I attempted to walk around, but I basically just ate lunch in front of the water and then watched hours of Family Guy in the hostel common room.

The next day I went for a run and then walked around the city--central Auckland is small, extremely, clean, and the people are very friendly.  It was a nice change of pace going from being consistently vulgarly heckled in South America, to being completely left alone.  Later that day I saw a familiar face in my hostel.  Josh Koshar, a guy I had met at Boston University a few times through mutual friends, walked by me while I was on my laptop.  I wasn't absolutely positive it was him, so I sent a massage through the ever useful Facebook saying, "This might sound nuts-o, and I'm not even sure if you remember me, but I think I just saw you in my NZ hostel."

He then wrote back saying, "I think I'm looking at you."  A moment later I heard a girl yell my name from across the room and when I looked up he was sitting at a computer near me!  Small world.  He and I then went out for a drink to catch up.  We then met two other Americans from California (Garrett and Bradon) in our hostel and we all decided to drink and hang out in the hot tub on the roof of our hostel before going out.

We first attempted to go to a bar called cowboys and Indians; however, two of the guys we were with weren't dressed properly so we left and went to another bar with live music.  The California boys were making fun of my leisurely drinking pace and told me I had to go to the corner until I finished my drink.  Instead, I saw down with some very attractive locals (for the rest of that story, see my Awkward moment) until it was time to leave.  Next stop, Family, a gay dance club.  SO.  MUCH.  FUN.  We stayed there until around 4 a.m. and then wondered back home.

The next morning, I took a free Auckland day bus tour that showed us parks and volcanoes around the city.  We stopped for some delicious fish and chips (french fries) and when I got back to the hostel it was hot tub time, again!  I hung out with Bradon and two Swedish girls in the pouring rain for a few hours, then went to bed.

The next day, Josh and I left in his car for a surf town a few hours South called Raglan--part of the movie, "Endless Summer" was filmed here.  The first two nights, we slept in his car; one night at a campground and the second, parked on a cliff overlooking the surfing beach.  The view was absolutely stunning;  the sky was perfectly clear of clouds and we had an undisturbed view of the Southern Hemisphere's night sky--I haven't seen that many stars since I lived in the boonies of Minnesota.

We wondered around the first two days; we took some scenic drives, hiked down Bridal falls, and spent way too much time at the local coffee shop, Tongue and Groove.  For the next two nights, we stayed at the Backpacker Hostel--everyone there is very friendly and laid back, "on Raglan time" as they like to call it.  We attempted to go surfing that third day; it was a lot of fun, but I definitely need more practice seeing as how I never stood up for longer than a second.

The next day, I went with another Kelly, from Maine, to visit a local Maori Eco-farm (Maori are the indigenous people of New Zealand).  It was very interesting to see how self-sufficient people on these farms are;  I am currently reading Omnivore's Dilemma; the comparison between the American diet and how it's produced with those on Eco-farms is mind-boggling (I highly suggest everyone read this book to understand what you are putting in your body as well as your family's).

The weather wasn't as cheery as one would like it to be in a surf town, so I hung out with Manon (from Canada) and a few others in the hostel drinking wine and chit-chatting.  The next day, I was on a bus back to Auckland where I am currently sitting, preparing for my next international marathon in t-minus 3 days!

AWKWARD MOMENT

I do not have game (read; any smooth ability to hit on a guy).  Seriously.  I just cant.  While at a bar in Auckland, sitting with extremely attractive local guys, I...God this embarrassing...ask for an e-mail address.  Who DOES that????  In my defense, I thought my phone was stolen from the hostel and i was playing the "oh, you're from here:  Do you have any suggestions for what I should do?" game...but still.  An e-mail address??!!!??  That is so...

Under construction

The previous few entries are lacking in photos right now, which I apologize for.  The internet connection in this hostel is pretty weak--I will add photos soon, but for now, enjoy the stories!

My new favorite city

Buenos Aires, Argentina; oh how I wish I had more than three days here!  I arrived at about 8:00 am and took a very expensive cab ride to a hostel in Palermo ( a trendy neighborhood of Buenos Aires where Erin Kelly told me to stay--thanks, lady) called Palermo House.  Being that I didn't have a reservation, I ended up waiting until around four PM. for a bed.  Sounds annoying, but I had a lot of picture uploading, for your pleasure, being that my computer works again--HORRAY!  I met a guy in the hotel from Sweden, Johan, who was very hungover--I helped him recuperate the best way I know how, to start drinking again:)  We drank a few bottles of the local beer, Quilmes while hanging out and socializing with the other kids in the hostel.  An Irish girl, Mazy, knew some people that owned a local bar; I went with her and a guy from Wisconsin that works at the hostel, Simms for some food and adult beverages.  The atmosphere was really cool, very dark, red lights, and exposed brick everywhere.  At about 11 pm I went back to the hostel and passed out.  

I got up at around 8:30 and went for an 9-10 mile run around the parks.  So many people were out running, roller-blading, biking, dog walking--it was amazing.  I am so moved by a city that is so positively active and social--I couldn't help but smile the whole time and say "hola" to people I ran past.  

When I got back, some girls from the hostel were going to some open air markets in Recoletta and asked me to come along.  It was such a beautiful day; warm and sunny.  Then, I went to the Recoletta cemetary where Eva Peron is burried (think Evita)- it looks like a small town.  Every grave is a large intricate statue with figurines and stained glass windows that are in rows like sreets.  Then I walked back through the city, about an hour, where I met up with two other girls to go to dinner at a fancy restaurant called Sugar--Martinis, wine, and STEAK (Argentina is known for their delicious beef).  We went back to the hostel and all drank for a while and then went to  nearby rooftop house party with about fifteen other people.  We stayed up until maybe 5 am (which is actually early to stop partying in BA).  

I spent my last day in Buenos Aires wondering around a giant market in San Telmo; there are hundred of stands, street performers, food, and dancers--my favorite was a group with three violins, one viola, a bass, one piano, and four accordions, they were amazing!

FOOD CORNER

I didn't consume anything strange, but my steak was TO-DIE-FOR.  Medium rare to perfection, and so tender I could have cut it with a fork!

Taste: 5+++++

Aftertaste: 1

AKWARD MOMENT

The night we all went to the rooftop party, I passed out on the couch in the common room.  I was told in the morning that when they tried to wake me up and put me to bed I kept saying "no, I don't trust the guys that work here."  I have no recollection of this and actually felt very safe in the hostel;  I'm not quite sure what I was dreaming about but the whole thing was pretty...

Lima Bean

After my day o' waterfalls, I had dinner with my dorm-mate, Jenna, who is also from Canada.  We went out for pizza (not quite local fare, but whatever, I can't eat crazy things all the time) and drank some beer until I had to get on my midnight bus ride.  This was the start of my 36 hour trip via bus to Lima, Peru.  I rode overnight to Guayaquil, and changed there for another bus to Piura, Peru.  

On this bus I met a very friendly couple from California who were seasoned travelers and had a lot of advice for me for the rest of my trip and upcoming destinations.  It was a good thing that I met them, because we had to get off of the bus for Immigration twice (once for our stamp leaving Ecuador and once for entering Peru).  I had no idea what was going on, where to go, or even where our bus was once I was finished.  They were very helpful, waiting for me to get everything situated so I didn't get lost.  I also met an older woman from Ecuador, Fanny, who was very eager to talk to me in order to practice her english.  She told me that she has been away from her husband for eight years; he is in New York City working while she stays at home taking care of their three children--he can't come home and she can't visit him due to visa and passport difficulties (really puts our bubbled American lives into perspective, doesn't it?).  

Once in Piura, I got on yet another bus to Lima.  I told the driver of my previous bus that I needed transportation that was safe for a young, blonde, American to ride over night.  He said no problem and put me in a cab.  When the driver dropped me off, I initially didn't want to get out of the car; the area was dark and I didn't see a bus or anyone in a line.  I asked him again if this was definitely safe for me and he assure me it was.  I purchased my ticket and was sent to the back of the office where the bus was loading.  BALLER!!!  This bus was a double decker; my seat was on the top right behind the front window the an amazing view of the drive.  The seats was comfortable and huge (plus no one was sitting next to me so I could lie down), they gave us pillows, AND dinner and breakfast.  Thanks for the hook up!

At 8:00 am I finally arrived in Lima, Peru.  Luckily, the bus terminal had an internet cafe in it, so I could even look up directions to the hostel in Miraflores where I was told to stay at--lucky, lucky me.  I walked in without a reservation (again) and they had an open bed--no problem!  I instantly met a few girls in my room that were heading off to the Inca markets to go shopping and asked me to join; nothing like friendly travelers :).   We wondered around for the day and later that evening decided to go get dinner down by the water.  We went to the Marriott Hotel for drinks, first, because they were told by some other travelers that that was the place to go for some amazing passion fruit pisco drinks.  Now, my last experience with pisco was less than to be desired, but I figured I'd try it again.  MMMMMM, so good!  They had numerous house infused flavors, as well.  I tried one that was infused with hot peppers, celery, and an excessive amount of black pepper--it took the three of us 15 minutes to finish one shot because it was SO spicy (but would make a phenomenal Bloody Mary).  Afterwards we walked along the Pacific Ocean in a failed attempt to find a restaurant.  We wondered for a while and then headed back towards the hostel where we knew we could find some food.

The next day I got up early and went to GOLD'S GYM!!  Sadly, I was quite excited to find a really good gym (which is all over the United states), and I went to run on a treadmill and take a spinning class.  When I got back to the hostel I met a Aruk from London who was taking a trip to central Lima.  I was doing the same so we went exploring the historical sights together.  We walked through the Plaza Mayor, Government Plaza, and through the San Francisco convent where you tour a beautiful church and walk through underground catacombs.  After that, I found a restaurant that served Cuy--I have been looking for this since I arrived in South America.  It was delicious :)  That was basically the end of my short adventure in Peru.  A few hours later I got on my plane to Argentina!

FOOD CORNER

CUY!!!!!!  OK, this is apparently the national dish of Ecuador and a delicacy in both Ecaudor and Peru.  That's right, kids, I ate Guinnea pig!!  The internal organs are removed and everything else remains (head, ribs, claws); then, it is battered and deep fried, served with an ear of moté, salad, and baked potatoes.  It literally tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken.  I washed it all down with a local beer, Cristal :)

Taste: 5

Aftertaste: 1

#2  For lunch the day before I had what I knew was some part of a chicken and french fries.  Later I found out that it was the esophagus--chewy and a little crunchy but once you get over the texture, not too bad.

Taste: 3

Aftertaste:2 (it was extremely salty and I got a little nauseous, but once I consumed some           chocolate I felt a lot better:))

I need to use the Baños

After I left the Amazon I headed to Baños, Ecuador, which is known for its natural beauty and hot springs.  At first, I was a little bummed because I got there too late to do any of the tours, so I just wondered around the small city for a while eating local food and people watching.  I ran into a couple from Canada that I met in the Guayaquíl hostel and they invited me to join them to rent "quads" (four-wheelers) and drive down the waterfall route.  DONE!  

The next day may very well have been my favorite day of my trip so far.  I woke up at about 6:30 am and went for a run around the small city looking at the surrounding mountains and volcanos.  Afterwards, I went to the Virgin Baths, which is a cement pool where the local hot springs flow into for everyone's enjoyment.  The steaming water was already quite full of people, despite how early in the morning it was.  The water was so soothing (due to the heat and the extensive mineral content) and the view of the Tangurahua volcano and a backdrop of a waterfall falling from the Ecuadorian Andes was nothing less than stunning.

After my quick dip in nature's sauna, I went back to my hostel for a health bath.  For 45 minutes you alternated between sitting in a steam box and cooling your body in different ways--sitting in ice cold water (this part included a bowel massage, not as gross and invasive as it sounds), running freezing-wet towels over your body, being hosed down, etc.  Once I was relaxed and refreshed, I met up with the Canadian couple to rent a couple quads and we were on our way.

I would first like to note the condition of my death-trap vehicle (which would be absolutely unacceptable to be rented by US standards....sorry you have to read this, Mom :) )  The fender was sewn on with plastic wiring, the breaks were AWFUL (especially when it started raining, I was skidding all over the place) the headlights were incredibly weak (we drove through tunnels without lighting and I seriously could not see anything; I could have hit a wall and wouldn't know it until the impact) and the alignment was worse than the '89 Cadillac I drove in high school.  

We traveled down a windy road through tunnels dark as night (literally no lights) in order to find different waterfalls and activities.  We hiked down a few waterfalls, my favorites being Macay and Pailon del Diablo.  At the Diablo, you can climb under a low cave to actually stand behind the waterfall.  We also stopped at a bridge that overlooks another waterfall where you can be attached to a bungee type cord and jump off the bride to swing over the water.  Of course, I can't say no to an adrenaline rush, so I paid my ten dollars and was wrapped into a harness and took the plunge.  

I never knew I could scream like such a girl.

It was amazing!  The jumping is, of course, the most difficult part;  I swung back and forth over the water...the view was amazing.

FOOD CORNER

Yay, street food!  I purchased a plastic bag of Moté, which is basically GIANT corn kernels, that had some sort of meat-gristle-gravy over it....delicious.

Taste: 5 (starchy and salty, can't go wrong)

Aftertaste: 1

AKWARD MOMENT

By the time we got to the Macay waterfall, we had been rained on for quite some time and I was freezing.  For those of you who know me well, you know that when I get cold my fingers and toes instantly lose circulation and turn white as snow.  After we parked our vehicles we sat at a table outside of a house that was selling beverages and food.  The woman who lived there looked at my hands put hers next to mine laughing and saying  "you're so white!  You look like you're dead!"  

Thanks...

Amaz(on)ing Jungle Boogie

The next morning I got on a bus back to Quito in order to catch yet another 8 hour bus to Lago Agrio to start my five day trip in the Amazon Jungle.  My bus out of Quito left at 11 pm.  When I woke up at around 2:30 am the bus was stopped on the side of the road and had been sitting there for quite a while.  Turns out the bus broke down and they were going to just SIT on the side of the road until eight AM when the next bus drove by.  Needless to say, the entire busload of people were not pleased.  I started asking around to find other people traveling to the Amazon; a woman behind me from Spain, Ana, told me to stick with her and her friends and we'll all figure out how to get to the camp.  After the bus broke down THREE more times, we finally arrived at our destination at 10:30 am.  

A van was waiting to pick us up and drove us another two hours to the village of Cuyabeno.  There, we got on a motor-canoe for another two hours that brought us down the narrow, windy Cuyabeno River to our campsite.  When we got there I found out that I didn't actually have a group (thank you, Happy Gringo, for lying to me); so Ana told me to stay with her and her five other friends from Spain.  I ended up staying in a group with them for four days speaking mostly Spanish with them and our Spanish guide.  I had the option, at the end of the first day, to switch to an English speaking group, however, being that I have had about 

six years of education in the Spanish language, I figured it would be a good learning experience to put my rusty knowledge to good use.

That first night, we went for a night hike into the jungle, looking at plants, animals (mostly frogs and birds) and insects.  The next day we went on a three hour hike, fished for piranas, and canoed along the river in search of Alligators (Caiman).  Two of Ana's friends and I jumped into the Lagoon and swam around for a while (I am a pretty weak swimmer, but didn't drown or get stung by Sting Rays so I consider it a successful A + experience).  

Pirana fishing is interesting--you basically have a long thin tree branch,

 like what you'd use to roast marshmallows, that has a string and a hook attached.  Instead of waiting patiently and quietly for a bit like the lake fishing I know and love, you actually thrash the end of the pole around in the water like "struggling prey."  I had no success that evening, but ended up catching four my last day in the Amazon when I paddled around the river for four hours with my own personal guide.  

Afterwards, we watched the sunset and took the boat around the river in the dark in order to search for Caiman and other nocturnal animals.  We found a few, however, they were significantly smaller than anticipated.

The next day we left the camp at 6:45 am in order to bird watch before breakfast.  Afterwards we took the boat back out to visit the indigenous community a few hours down the river.  There, we walked their their "farm" (for lack of a better word) where they grow Yuca, Cocao, and many medicinal plants.  We met a 92 year old Shaman, Criollo, and his wife, Victoriano, who taught us about preparing Yuca to eat.  Yuca is a white root that is g

round up on what looks like a cheese grater.  It is then placed in a giant braid of Palm leaves to ring out all of the excess water.  Victoriano then sifted the ground Yuca into a flour and spread it on a round pizza-like pan over a fire to make Yuca bread.  On this we placed baked bananas (Platinos), honey, and tuna (all separately, of course).  We also drink Chicha, which is beer made from fermented Yuca flour and water.  After we ate, Criollo dressed in traditional, native clothing and gave a small demonstration of a healing ceremony which includes dancing and chanting (this usually takes place for an entire night, but the demonstration was only for five minutes).  Our final event with the Shaman was to try our hands at the six foot blowgun--this time I hit the target!

The final day, I was all by myself .  I went paddling around the river with a personal guide to fish for Piranas and look at wildlife.  Afterwards, I joined the English speaking group (because my beautiful Spaniards left the night before) for more fishing and swimming.  I also saw a lot of snakes, frogs, more bugs, pink dolphins, lizards, and MONKEYS.  I ate my final three course meal of the trip (they fed us like crazy; three, three course meals of homemade food and fresh fruit juice a day) and was on my way back to civilization.

AKWARD MOMENT

The lodge I stayed at has a domesticated six month old monkey named Pancha that hangs out at the camp.  She is there because a group of tourists tried to smuggle her out of the jungle in order to see her as a pet.  Now, she hangs around clinging to whomever she wishes (loves perching on someone's shoulder with her paws dug their hair and her tail wrapped around their neck--this happened to me often), and she also loves stealing food from the dinner table.  One night she decided to try and steal my food; one of the guides went to grab her and instead of fleeing, she wrapped around my arm, clinging for dear life.  He tried pulling her off of me and upon doing so, she started screaming loudly like a four year old girl for a solid minute. Everyone at the camp was staring at this ridiculous sight while I just sat there with a man and a monkey playing tug of war with my arm......

#2  While drinking the Chicha, the Shaman told us a little story about a saying they have in his village.  Chicha is traditional drink to consume on one's wedding night, "Chicha then chucha, chicha then chucha."  Now, I've already told you what chicha means...can you guess what chucha is?  Coming from a 92 year old man this is both hilarious and ....

FOOD CORNER

So, this Chicha, to me, is a bit unpleasant.  Now, everyone has their personal culinary preferences, but to me, it tasted like a very warm, floury, pulpy beverage with a beer-like aftertaste.  Not my cup of tea.

Taste: 2

Aftertaste:1 (no adverse consequences, as of yet)

#2  I don't know the exact name of the insect, but we consumed some ants which crawl on a certain plant that have a sour, lemon flavor.  This flavor protects them and the plant from being consumed by predators due to their repulsive acidity. 

Taste: 3 

Aftertaste: 1

Guayaquil for a Klondike Bar

The day after Cotopaxi I got on 10 hour long bus ride number two between Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador.  A woman from Colombia, Claudia, sat next to me and we started practicing Spanish and English with one another.  When we arrived in Guayaquil it was dark and Claudia was extremely nervous for me to get a cab and to my hostel safely.  She took off in a cab and waved good-bye while I asked numerous cabs if they knew where my hostel was.  I was having no luck when she showed back up in her taxi and had me get in with her.  She made sure the driver knew where my place was and gave me her number incase of any problems!  

However, the cab driver DIDN'T actually know where the hostel was. 

 We drove around, asking numerous pedestrians if they knew.  After failing multiple times, he pulled over to a pay phone and called the owner of my Quito hostel to get directions.  Finally, about an hour later we pulled up to the door and I was given a room at the Dreamkapture Hostel. 

The next day I met the hostel manager, Isabelle, and we started talking about my trip and what I was doing.  We bonded over the need for charity work; she has been doing a lot with her own organization.  She even put some information about me and a link to this blog on the Dreamkapture website under "friend of the week" :)

Afterwards, I wondered around the city.  Mainly, I walked down the Malecon; it's a long strip along the Guayas river with statues, shopping, restaurants, a botanical garden, and local markets selling everything imaginable.  I then spent some time at their contemporary art museum, Banco Central, where I took a lot of pictures (note: museums don't allow photography inside--whoops).  

After spending some much needed time in the air-conditioning, I ventured back outside to walk up the 500 stairs to the top of the Cerro Santa Ana.  There are bars, shops, restaurants, and historical statues all the way to the top where the Iglesia Santo Domingo sits.  On my way back down I was trying to find somewhere to each with a pretty view of the river and city; however, I tend to be quite indecisive.  While walking up and down the stairs I noticed two guys watching me wonder; one said hello (which happens often) and when he asked where I was from and I said Boston he informed me that he actually grew up in NYC and owns the bar behind him.  I ended up sitting there, drinking free Pilsner, and chatting with him for a few hours, after which he had his personal driver bring me back to Dreamkapture.  When I got back I was sta

rving but was afraid to venture out in the dark alone; luckily, I met some really cool Irish and British boys who made me dinner (I guess chivalry isn't dead!)

Two days later, I had to wake up at 3:30 am in order to get ready for my first international marathon!!!!!  I met another woman in the hostel the night before who was running the half marathon, so we went to the starting line together.  This in and of itself was quite difficult because we were a)walking around in the dark looking for a cab b) no cabs wanted to do work c) we had no idea where the starting line was really located.  Luckily, we finally found a guy to bring us and at 5:30 am the race began!  

The first hour and a half we were running by the light of the moon and sporadic lampposts.  The city was so calm; there was no traffic at this point and all you could hear was the sound of the Guayas River.  Once my running buddy left me, it was time to take a turn out into the suburbs of Guayaquil.  The rest of the course is on a four lane highway; the far left lane is blocked off for runners by a police officer standing in the middle of the road nearly every block.  There was one point where the course turns off to do a 3 mile loop down a side street; I would have missed it completely because one officer told me to keep going, however, I saw two runners in front of me asking the next person and he, after thinking a few seconds and looking around, told us to turn off.  Not the most organized of races, but entertaining, nonetheless!  

There weren't very many people running, only a few hundred--my number was 51 which is crazy being that usually I'm in the thousands--and I'm pretty sure I was one of maybe three Americans.  Random fans were yelling "Go Gringa!" and there was a large group of Swedish runners who embraced me as well, probably assuming I was part of their group being tall, blonde, blue-eyed, and fair-skinned:)  I had my final Ipod song, "Sweet Caroline" carry me across the finish line (Boston love!!) as I finished just in front of two women over twice my age (sad) at a very, extremely slow pace, of around four hours and 40 minutes.  Ouch.  I ran the Boston marathon faster with Bronchitis-like symptoms.  They were already giving out medals and rolling up finisher tents by the time I crossed the finish line...haha.  At least they still had a t-shirt and a medal for me.  International Marathon Number 1= Success!!!

AKWARD MOMENT

After finishing the marathon, I needed to hail a cab to get back to my hostel.  Stupid me, I forgot to bring along their business card with the address on it.  Luckily I had a vague idea of where the hostel was, so I tried to get a cab to bring me.  Now, in Ecuador you have to negotiate a price before you get into the cab or they'll charge you crazy amounts.  I only had three dollars on me (cabs in South America are CRAZY cheap), however, the drivers I was talking to continually tried to charge me around Five.  I almost started crying being that all I wanted to do was lie down in my hostel and no one would take me home.  Finally, I found one man who would take me.  This whole time I was getting a little stressed out in front of a lot of people (there was a carnival going on outside of the finish line)...they all probably though I was crazy because I was walking in circles and pouting which is a little....

#2  The night of the marathon I face planted in my bed for ten hours straight.  When I woke up the next working my eyes were so puffy I looked like Quasimodo.  Isabella gasped when she saw me because she thought I had a local virus called Picha.  Nope, just tired, puffy eyes....

FOOD CORNER

I didn't eat anything too crazy or adventurous, however, I went with my European boys to see "Stepbrothers" at the local mall and afterwards we went to get some grub at the food court.  I found that you can walk around the mall with Pilsner beer, no problem.  I found this hilarious being that you can't walk around with alcohol in malls in the states so I played like a good local and ordered myself a cerveza.   Mmmmm.

Taste: 5 (umm...it's beer)

Aftertaste: 1 (My body knows how to digest this, no problem)

Lazy Lady writes again!

Ok...so it's been a while...and I'm sorry. 

 I'm going to try and recall everything entertaining I've been doing in the last three weeks in some shorter blogs to try and catch up My computer stopped working when I went into the Amazon Jungle (story to come), and I've been taking a lot of short trips and long bus rides.  Now, I am finally in a solid destination for the next 8 weeks, here in the beautiful country of New Zealand, and my computer has resurrected itself from the dead, so I shall commence correspondence.

First off, Cotopaxi!

I took myself on a little day trip to hike the world's highest active volcano, Cotopaxi, which is a few hours bus ride outside of Quito.  And by hike, I mean be driven up part way, walk a little, then get picked up again...

I got on a bus at about 8:00 am to go to the volcano.  Now, I really had no idea where I was going or what I was doing, however, I got on the correct bus and told the driver where I needed to get off in hopes that he wouldn't pass over my stop.  After passing out on the bus for a little while, I woke up disoriented and not quite sure where I was or where I needed to be.  Within minutes an Ecuadorian man behind me tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I was going to Cotopaxi.  I, of course, said yes and asked him if he knew bc I was the only blonde/American on the bus....he laughed and said yes and then made sure I was let off at the right spot.  Thanks, stranger!

I got a little swindled by the shanty that I presumed to be the entrance.  My spanish only gets me so far, but I knew going in that I had to pay to get into the park.  One guy drove me up and I ended up having to pay him and the entrance fee.  I was frustrated so I told him I wanted get out and walk.  After saying this a few times, I finally got my way.  I walked along some valleys and through some paths, trying to find a Lagoon.  After walking a few hours and finding nothing I started to get rained on.  A little while later another car came by with an Israeli couple in it; they asked me if I wanted a ride to the top and I decided that, being that I wasn't properly dressed for poor weather by any means, I might as well get in.  

Good thing too, because that Lagoon was yet another 15 minutes of driving.  Plus, being that I was getting a ride, I actually got to see SNOW!  We drove as far up as possible to a refugee camp.  This is where people usually stay for the night before they attempt to hike to the summit.  Being that I only had this one day to hike, I had to take the lazy man's trip, but I'm so glad I did!!  The Israeli couple was amazing.  We all worked together to find a bus to get back to Quito and they even paid for my taxi cab ride home.  The mother was very concerned for my safety as a solo traveler, but said that she had two kids doing the same thing and understood why I was on this trip.  It was nice to have some parental figures around for a few hours.

AKWARD MOMENT

After we got on the bus back to Quito, we found out that there were no open seats.  I don't really mind standing, but the Israeli couple wanted to sit so two men got up and gave them their seats (such gentlemen).  Then, the co-driver (the other bus employee that takes fares and gets people on and off the bus) told me that there was a seat in the front.  Little did I know, he was having me sit on a bench awkwardly between him and the driver.  This is a piece of wood with a blanket placed over it, no arm rest, no seat belt, not even something for me to rest my back against.   Then, my favorite part of every conversation with South American men....

Do you have a boyfriend?

umm...yes

Where is he?

He's...um...in the hostel...I like my alone time

How do you like Ecuadorian men?

Well, I think you're all very aggressive

YEAH!  (High five)

                ....I personally didn't mean that as a good thing, but then I pretended like I was falling asleep because the entire situation was very.....