The Devil's Nose

A week ago, we visited what's apparently the largest weekly market in Ecuador. My guess is word has been out among the tourists for a while now as much of what was for sale reminded me of things you might see at 10,000 Villages and hung on a wall or worn in the crunchier cities back home. An effort to cater to tourists does create some interesting paradoxes though such as "Indigenos" in their traditional clothes knitting Angry Birds and Elmo hats. Small world.

We just completed our first travel/study week. Alex, me, and our new German friend each had our own tutors for late afternoon classes after whatever adventure had been planned for that day. The highlight was white water rafting down some really thrilling class 4 rapids. The low point was not being able to take one more step at 4900meters and feeling like crap. I'm not a mountain climber even if the van got me most of the way there.

We are now in a tiny little town mainly known as the starting place for a famous train ride called the Devil's Nose that we will be taking tomorrow. Tonight we walked from "restaurant" to restaurant trying to find one that actually served something other than the set chicken with beans and rice. Really, they all look at you weird if you ask for a menu.


Spanish is improving even though I still have trouble understanding them regardless if I know the words or not. Alex started far ahead of me with Spanish as a major, but is also more committed carrying her flash cards everywhere even after our 4hrs of class.