The valley of longevity for rest and recuperation

Trip Start Oct 06, 2010

Trip End Jul 30, 2011

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Where I stayed

Hostal Izhcayluma

Flag of Ecuador Vilcabamba, Loja, Ecuador
Monday, January 24, 2011

So as you can probably tell, Josh and I are leading a very difficult, strenuous life at the moment. Travelling every few days, seeing wonderful sights, eating amazing food and talking to incredible people.... all this is bound to take it's tole. So on the advice of my dear friend Robin (who said she would disown me if I didn't go) we headed South East to Vilcabamba, to experience what was described to us as "amazing."

Amazing it was. We checked into the loveliest and most resort-like hostal either of us have ever visited, complete with private one with room, gorgeous bathrooms, hammocks, a pool, a day spa, pool table, ping pong table, bar, restaurant, and amazing views of the valley. A few relaxing days with amazing food, good conversation, and we were as good as new. Vilcabamba boasts fabulous massages, so Josh wandered into town one day to book an appointment with Lola of Shanta's Bar. The next morning he was treated to pounding, beating, and stretching while Lola (literally) walked all over him. I was planning on waiting for him reading my book in the town square, however my reading was interrupted by a couple from Nebraska. They seemed sweet enough at first, and wanted help with their cell phone, but our conversation quickly progressed to a complete overview of their political beliefs. I like to think I'm fairly open minded, but I seriously didn't know that people like that existed. When they opened with the fear that "Bobo" (Obama) was turning their country into Hitler's Germany my jaw dropped, and it didn't stop there. They were buying property in Ecuador to get out "while they still could." Astounding. I wonder if they knew how many UFO sightings that area had reported last year...

Back at our safe haven, I went for an afternoon massage, and we had dinner with two peace core workers, an Albertan, and an English girl. Good conversation, really interesting viewpoints from the peace core workers who were each almost done their 2 year terms, and delicious food was a lovely last night in Vilcabamba before we headed for the borders to cross into Peru.

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