I am in a town called Baños, which translates to "Bathrooms" in Spanish. However, the town is really named after the several hot spring baths near here that are powered by the local volcano Tungurahua. Tungurahua has dramatically affected the town. In October 1999, volcanologists put the volcano at red alert status due to the increased gaseous eruptions and increased seismic activity. The entire town and surrounding areas were evacuated due to the threatening major eruption. By January of 2000, however, nothing had happened and locals forced their way through military blockades and returned to their homes. Things are back to normal right now.

This place is an outdoor paradise with plenty of mountain biking, hiking, rafting, kayaking and other opportunities. In my first day here, I rented a mountain bike with Bertine, a girl from Holland, and took off down the road that follows the Pastaza River. This is my first time on a bike in since I left home! What a great feeling! The road along the river has many waterfalls and valley views to stop and admire.

The next day was great as well. I went hiking with some people I met in Quito and new friends from here in Baños to try and see Tungurahua, the volcano. Unfortunately, it was too cloudy to see the volcano but the experience we had couldn't have been planned. After we hiked to the first view point above Baños, we met a local guy named Carlos who lived nearby. He is retired after 35 years with the electric company but now works by inspecting the seismograph equipment placed all over the volcano and reporting to the volcanologists that it's working OK. He also watches for poachers hunting illegally and calls the police when necessary. Carlos told us the history of the volcano and what happened in 1999. He was on his way to inspect some equipment so we followed him. Along the way, he invited us to his house and gave us all some natural tea, made us try some horrible liquor, and let us feed his chickens. On the trail, he explained all the plant life and the uses for the different plants and their leaves. It was great because there was no way we could have learned this on our own. At the viewpoint for the Volcano, which we couldn't see because of clouds, we said goodbye to Carlos and headed back to town... starving because we were now into 6 hours of hiking. After a late lunch, we all went to soak our sore legs in one of the nearby hot springs and then went out for the evening. A good full day....

From here, I am joining everyone on the train ride in Riobamba and then returning to Baños on my own since there is much more to see and do......