Chocolatey, wooly, cheesie heaven
Trip Start
Jan 14, 2009
1
26
32
Trip End
??? ??, 2010
Guaranda, Bolívar, Ecuador
Sunday, July 12, 2009
We stayed in Guaranda for a few nights to access nearby Salinas and Volcan Chimborazo. Guaranda itself is nestled in a valley surrounded by trees including pines not infested by beetles (weird) and cultivated land. En route, you pass through some pretty high elevations and get to see very cool wild camelids, the vicuņas.
Our hotel itself was Skippy-size (who is actually pretty average in height in SA), and definitely not tall enough for me. It was best to stay away from the hotel and explore to avoid smacking my head on every doorframe and electrocuting myself in the shower whenever I hit the heater above me. The owners were very nice though.
Salinas is a tiny little place accessible by taxi pick-ups. We road inside on the way up and in the box on our way down. We were toured around the factories (small operations) that have been opened due to a successful co-op that employs a large percentage of the town and supports local farmers by purchasing their produce for processing purposes. The factories included places to make balls, essential oils, dried mushrooms, cheese, soy products, chocolate, pig-products, textiles and clothes. The operations themselves were well explained and interesting, and it was also a fantastic opportunity to shop for chocolate, cheese and quality wool clothing. Afterwards, we also enjoyed a walk outside the village where we could enjoy interesting rock formations and a beautiful view.
Pierre-Paul was sick (bad water?), so Mom, Skippy and I set off to Volcan Chimborazo on our own. Rather than pay to enter the park, we stopped at a nearby village, San Pablo, where they allow tourists to walk around. The people were very friendly within the village where a very traditional lifestyle has been maintained. At about 3800m its incredible that this land can be cultivated at all, especially on the steep slopes. The houses themselves, small wooden structures, were built partially into hillsides or into the ground to offer protection from the elements. Cows, llamas and sheep were also tended to. It was a little difficult for us to breathe, so we took it easy as we explored the sparse lanscape. Although we enjoyed a great view of the glacier-capped peak of Volcan Chimborazo on our way in via bus, clouds covered it for the rest of the day.
