Last night we arrived in the city of Banos, Ecuador’s answer to Queenstown, New Zealand. This town is nestled at the base of the Tungurahua Volcano in the province of the same name. The volcano is very active and erupts frequently, the last time was just last year. Hence the numerous evacuation route signs on the streets. Here most natives wear black ponchos instead of red as in Chimboraso. Lots of tourists come for extreme sports. It also has numerous hot springs (banos) fed by the volcano and most of us awoke at 5:00 AM to partake before heading off to work this morning. The springs were directly under a cascading waterfall several hundred feet high. We spent about an hour there as the sun rose, a quick breakfast and then off to the Pueblo of Niton at about 12,000′ elevation, and above the clouds for most of the day. While there several women were spinning yarn and making beautiful sashes. Cheryl explained to them that they could also use the same patterns to make glasses cases! By the way, can you find the hidden baby in my exam room? It was a relatively light day so we got back early enough to do some shopping. Dinner and maybe a little salsa dancing tonight.
