Laguna Quilotoa y Guagua Pichincha
Trip Start
May 05, 2006
1
7
8
Trip End
Aug 18, 2006
Zumbahua y Quito, Ecuador
Saturday, August 5, 2006
I have officially ended my work here in Ecuador at the old age home and now all there is left to do is to see more of this amazing country and spend time with the people that make it amazing.
This weekend past I went to a remote volcanic crater called Quilotoa and although when we arrived it was drizzling - with a little sleet- the next day proved to be absolutely fantastic. From Quito it took about 2 hours to reach the town of Latacunga and then another two hours of riding in a bus ascending to the small village of Zumbahua. Upon arriving in this overly quiet town in the mountains we were greeted as if the whole village had been anticipating our arrival. Everything seemed to be at our fingertips because everyone was ready to help us - I guess carrying a big red knapsack with a Canadian flag means that you are lost or in need of assistance. We found a hostal called Cóndor Matzi which according to the guide book is a whitewashed building fronting onto the market with a carved wooden balcony - this is true. What the guide book failed to mention was that two sweet eleven year old girls sometimes look after the few travelers that happen to stay there. Being shown to your room by children is rather weird - they acted really old but soon they were giggling and laughing and acting like I think I did when I was that age. After stowing our stuff in the room we headed out for a little walk to explore the quiet mountain village of Zumbahua. I equiped myself with my camera and off we went. Being six feet whatever and carrying a camera attracted the attention of some local children that were not more than 11 years old. After laughing hysterically for a couple minutes they insisted that I take a bunch of photos of them and not wanting to disappoint that is what I did. Every photo was a new opportunity for laughter and it was a great feeling to be part of the hysterics. even the dog enjoyed the shoot.
On our walk around town we happened to meet a couple of French people that were in Ecuador to scout out fair trade coco beans for making chocolate. After being greeted in three different languages we decided on a combination of Spanish and English - mostly because French is so comfuzzled in my brain right now.
Sleep came easily as a quiet hardly ever heard before descended on Zumbahua. The morning came quickly with the sound of the band practicing for the fiestas that were to take place to commemorate the marriage of several persones. Drums, trumpets, trombones and an assortment of instruments livened up the very cool morning air - I think that it was about 4oC. We ate a quick breakfast in town and jumped in the back of a pick-up truck and headed off to the Laguna Quilotoa. The road followed a giant sluce in the land from a long ago earthquake - probably coupled with a volcanic eruption. It was a bit of a wild ride as parts of the road were missing as they were swallowe by the rift that we were following and the blind corners that we speedily honked around were also a little unnerving. Eventually we reached the few ramshackle buildings on the perifiery of the crater - catering to the crowd that wants to spend the night alongside the laguna.
Excitedly jumping from the back of the truck I was enthralled by the perfect view we had of Cotopaxi and the Illinizas. I walked a little closer to the rim of the crater and there quietly sparkling through a ravine opening was the teal water of the laguna. Spectacular. Jane and I descended into the laguna along with the french couple - after I convinced Allan that they have donkeys he can ride back up on. Reaching the bottom of the crater after a sandy descent I decided that despite the cold it wouldn´t be worth all the effort to get here and not say that I swam in a volcanic crater. Besides someone else was swimming quite happily in the crystalline waters. Okay. Brrrrrrrrr. ¿I thought that maybe my clothes would dry faster? Thank goodness for the sun because the water was about 10oC which borders on me joining the polar bear club. After drying out to some level of comfort we rented a kayak and went for a quick paddle across the laguna which I might add is a lot bigger than it looks. Returning after the solitude of the lake we started to climb up the sandy slope of the crater and although I tried to outclimb the donkeys they are just too fast. Jane rode up on a donkey and the donkeys owner nearly collapsed from the exertion of climbing fast and at about 12000 feet above sea level. I made it shortly after a little - a lot- out of breath.
Hitchhiking back to town and talking with some locals was a great end to the laguna adventure and arriving back in Zumbahua to the fiestas that we got a taste of in the morning was exciting.
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I had planned to climb Cotopaxi - the highest active volcano in the world - but for many reasons the plan to do it just kept falling through. Instead I climbed Guagua Pichincha which stands at a mere 4794 m above sea level. While all of you were experiencing a heat wave I was touching that cool, refreshing substance that us Canadians call snow. Thankfully the volcano decided not to erupt while I was perched on its side. The view was absolutely amazing and my pictures hardly due it justice.
I look forward to seeing all of you again in less than two weeks.
Chao
Shawn Northwood
Comments
Inspiring
Hi Shawn,
I have greatly appreciated reading your updates over the past couple months. You have no idea how inspiring your images are. When you get back from Ecuador I'd really like to speak to you about doing some backpacking in the Adirondacks in late August, or perhaps Algonquin for a weekend. I'd really like to see you before I leave for Ireland (Oct. 4, 2006). Anyhow, let me know what your up to!
Have a wonderful last few weeks in Ecuador!
Cheers,
Justin