Ecuador

It is less than a 2 hour flight from the capital of Panama, Panama City, to the capital of Ecuador, Quito, but the cities could not be more different. You feel as if you have gone back in time actually, from the new skyscrapers and frantic pace of the banking district of Panama, to the colonial architecture and slower pace of Ecuador’s capital.

The other contrast that was apparent, and very welcomed by this family from the Pacific Northwest, was the weather. Panama’s humid, tropical heat gave way to the temperate climate of the Andes. Jackets that were buried at the bottom of suitcases for the past 3 months were now hot commodities.

The cool mountain air felt great. Our family is in agreement that we are not fans of humidity…and frown on hot and humid. We were certain that Grant’s record of 100 straight days without wearing shoes would come to an end, his open toed sandals not providing the warmth that the cool mountain evenings would warrant.

The drive from Quito to Cotacachi is 90 miles and takes approximately 2 hours by car. The scenery is fantastic. Volcanoes rising from the valley floor reach over 20,000 feet. Rivers and gorges cut through the landscape, creating engine testing ascents and hair raising descents.

The hills are covered with patchwork of greens indicating the many farms where Indigenous families make their livelihood grow fresh local fruits and vegetables. A good portion of the drive is spent asking the driver the name of this or that plant or animal. Condors are frequently spotted…actually alive and flying, their size reminiscent of a prehistoric bird.

The usual excitement of a new country also greets you, but for us there is the sense of familiar from our visit to Ecuador in March. We pass familiar towns previously visited; recognize names and street signs, and after we arrive in Cotacachi…recognize many familiar faces.

We arrive in the early evening in Cotacachi. After a brief struggle to find our housing, we are unpacked and walking the streets. It is fun to remember spots where we previously shared a meal, learned about some aspect of Ecuadorian culture, or met friends we hope to re-connect with.

We all wish we had dressed a little warmer. The combination of having spent the past 3 months in hot climates and the 50 degree weather reminding us that or short, t-shirts, and flip flops would not cut it as the dress code of choice any longer. Even so, it is a welcome respite.

We eat an early supper. A familiar restaurant on the main street in town that is geared towards tourists, but even so, we can feed a family of 4 for $15.00. I order a bowl of potato soup, a thick, rich, delicious fare that not only hits the spot, but brings back fond memories of previous meals. We will be preparing many of our meals at home during our current stay in Ecuador, but there is always money in the budget for a warm bowl of potato soup on a chilly Ecuadorian evening.

It was a long day of travel and all of us are tired. We head back to the apartment that we plan to spend the next few months, grab a book, an ipod, or computer and enjoy the remainder of the evening quietly…happy to be back in Ecuador, happy to be back in a land of beauty and tranquility.