Everybody Loves Luis

Wow! Sorry about the delay there, dear readers - we were both so busy in the great wild expanses of Mindo, and so inconvenienced by periodic losses of electricity, that I was unable to narrate any adventures whatsoever. But here goes a quick rundown, which will be old news by the time many of you read this, judging by the numbers of students I now see seated at the telephone booths here in the Internet cafe:

Luis, the guide we hooked up with in Mindo, had every one of us charmed to absolute death the whole time we were lucky enough to be associated with him. He took us (many in new boots, rubber, bought from the most charming older couple on Earth for $7 because of the mud thats kind of everywhere) across town to see a hostel that has as its specialty a series of hummingbird feeders where a dozen species buzzed and zoomed all around us constantly. It was breathtaking. From there we went to the butterfly farm, where they raise them for release into the wild as well as for tourists to walk through and marvel at in the big tent. We saw one being born, we had them eating watermelon out of our hands...Great stuff.

From there we did another grand hike, which involved crossing an enormous valley some 400 yards across on a cable car called a tabarita. The most breathtaking scenery many of us had ever beheld. And then a long march down to the river and back up, making for a hike of some three hours in length. Gorgeous - waterfalls everywhere.

Back to the hotel for some down time, during which a certan segment of the group found (with Luis, volunteering his off time) a place to play soccer with the locals. In the rain, but it wasnt cold out, so they had a great time. A few of the students ran back to tell us about it, and I ran back with them to watch, then couldnt resist and ran back to the hotel for my shoes (I was in sandals) and joined in myself. It was fantastic - kids calling for the ball in Spanish, making jokes, showing off American soccer skills to the Ecuadorians, who are no slouches themselves...Grand time.

Back to the hotel and we spread out for supper, after which Luis drove us out to another hostel whose specialty is tree frogs. They started out with 2 species on their property and then ehnanced the habitat for the frogs and now have 17 living there. Cabins surrounding a pond, bajillions of tree frogs to sing you to sleep at night...Not a bad way to spend your time in Mindo.

The bravest few of our group (7 or so) donned their freshly bought boots this morning at 5:15 to go and see el gallo de la peña, a bird endemic to the region. Red and squawking and unbelievably pretty. From there we trooped back to the hotel to pick up the sleepy heads, and all of us charged into the mountains to do more general birdwatching with a guide recommended by Luis. We saw parrots and some little brown birds, and then a glorious toucan with a yellow bill, green eyes, red tuckus, and red feet. Gorgeous. You can take photographs throgh a telescope, it turns out, and some of them are fantastic.

Back to the hotel, where Luis and I settled up and the students made for the pool and / or the soccer field. Fewer Ecuadorians thist ime, but just as much fun. Then check-out at 1:00, lunch, and away on the bus at 2:00. back in Quito now, hoping to see a movie tonight. I just have to figure out where and when it´s showing. I thought I had brought that information with me, but it´s not in my notes.

Things we have learned:

Few pleasures in life rival the acquisition of dry socks.

Armadillos can run surprisingly fast.

Possums, seen in the rain in the beam of a flashlight, look like they have no hair on their bodies at all.

The rainy season in Mindo is THE time to be there.

Luis´family owns half the property in Mindo.

One pleasure that rivals dry socks is hot showers and plentiful towels.

It´s great to be back in Quito!!!