We left Tena earlier this week and headed to Papallacta, a small town of 600 people high up in the mountains (about 3000 m. high). This town is known for its thermal hot springs. On the drive from Tena to Papallacta our bus got a flat tire (luckily just one). The roads in the Oriente are mostly thick mud and rocks. The driver and his assistant fixed it really fast using the smallest jack I've ever seen. We also went through a GEMA check point which is where narcotic police stop traffic and check everyone's identification and search backpacks if suspicious. Luckily our bus passed with flying colors because they were quite intimidating. The bus driver's assistant knew we were going to Papallacta but appeared to forget as we were driving pass the tiny town. I had never been there before so I didn't know where to get off. I saw the last building before the road continued to climb up the mountain and asked to be let off. Which luckily.. sort of.. was at the base of the hill we eventually hiked up to get to the hostels. With all of our backpacks and back to breathing the thin air we hiked up the mountain only to have a car stop and pick us up at the top of the climb. When we got to the large hotel we were very excited because we had planned on getting a room in the more expensive resort like hotel/spa but as luck would have it they were booked.. for days. Just a few meters down the road however, there was a little hostel for a fraction of the price at 10$ a nite. Our hostel was freezing as they had no indoor heat. We could see our breath at night. We stayed there for 2 nights and ended up going to the spa at the larger hotel to warm up during the day. Now we are back in Quito and have a few days to kill before we head back to America. We are staying in another hostel at the moment but for the last 3 nights we splurged and got rooms in a really nice hotel, which is still much cheaper and better quality than budget hotels in the USA. Again, Ecuador has been an interesting and enjoyable experience, however I am very excited to get back home and enjoy the rest of summer there. Take care Everyone! Kimmy