Inca & Amazon 76 -Entry 1
Posted
by
Seth
on 01 Mar 2010
The following journal entry is from Millie Davies.
We spent our first day in South America having a wander around Quito; a beautiful city with friendly, interesting people. We do tend to stick out as a bunch of pasty gringos! Also visited the Old City this week, gained a knowledge of Quito and a bit of Ecuadorian culture. Checked out some clubs, witnessed some beautiful dancing skills from the likes of Glen "sexy" Gurney and Bernard Evans. Also visited Otovalo, a while from Quito and home to a huge market where we all invested in some uber colourful trousers and other neccesities! Checked out a local waterfall for an impromto plunge - too bad for those without a change of clothes. We visited a local shaman (witch doctor) where I had the pleasure of being the group guinea-pig! The ritual involved: rubbing candles all over self, a special egg being chosen for me, then the shaman spitting on table whilst chanting, spitting an alcoholic liquid all over me, rubbing my body with stinging nettles (ow), spraying yet more liquid over me again, then breathing fire over me....! Then knighted with a spear and cigarette smoke exhaled over me. Supposd to leave me refreshed and replenished next morning. Stayed in an idyillic hostal in the mountains which contributed to that effect. Next morning was a boat trip round a volcanic crator and a quick hike. Been up the cable cars to climatise ourselves for the Cotapaxi climb tomorrow! Summit is 6000 metres above sea level - wish us luck!
That´s it from Quito for now. Ciao!