I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU, I LOVE YOU

Ecuador is wild. My mind is enthralled by the geography and astrophysics of this location. The other day we traveled to the Mitad Del Mundo, recognized in fame as the center of the world. What a strangely empowering sensation to stand in such a place! To balance an egg on a nail, to weigh over 2 pounds less than any place else, to be in a new gravitational space. Did you know Ecuador never has to update there clocks? When the French and the Spanish were working to discover where the center of the world actually is, they set out to the two most extreme parts of earth...the North Pole and Ecuador. I feel so lucky to be in this tremendous country. Check out that delicious Cuy we ate...also known as Guinea Pig.

A couple nights ago I was writing of how I must be superhuman because everyone had warned us of altitude sickness (Quito is at 2,850 meters) but yet we have been such explorers on the go, seeing all we can! We hiked up to the Panacillo and on Friday and were both crazy sweaty and short of breathe. When we reached the top we witnessed the manic nature of the Andean weather system. After a day that felt like it may have hit 80 degrees, it started to hale and pour down rain! It made the Panecillo pretty unbelievable...By the way i´m really not superhuman. It sucks.

The last 2 days I have been in Ibarra, about 2 and half hours north of Quito. We stayed with un buen amigo, Roberto of Peace Corps and he had a giant house all to himself. There were a few other Peace Corps volunteers there as well and we all went to Otovalo on Sunday. The famous Otovalo market is about a half hour away and is known as the largest and best of all South American open air indigenous markets! So we definetely hit that up. WE LOOOOOOOOOVED IT. My favorite of all of my purchases is an Alpaca sweater...it´s sssooo choice.

Ahora. I am in Mindo. People say Mindo is a jewel, a bird watchers haven, an outdoor enthusiats fairytale...I will get back to you on this, but so far we are staying at Hostel Cecilia which is a bungalo in the most lush rainforest. Mindo is located in the clouds. We walk by mud or stone streets, the sounds of birds and frogs echoes through the humid beautiful town streets, and I am in constant shock. Am i dreaming? Tomorrow we are going exploring...ON QUADS! I´m gonna go crazy! AND Dad...the next day we are waking up at 5am for a bird watching hike with a guide, so get ready for some steller fotos papa!

Estoy muy contento aqui. If you are to waste your time worrying about me in any way, it should be traffic related. jaja. But I beg of you. Instead of fear, LOVE ONE ANOTHER... it´s just more productive that way. Ciao!