So Anna arrived almost a week ago, and it´s been great to see a familiar face. She arrived on Tuesday night to an airport absolutely choc a block full of Ecuadorians also waiting to greet the arrivals and it was hard work to navigate through to find each other!

Wednesday afternoon we met up and went up to El Panecillo, a massive statue of a Virgen who towers over the old town, had a few drinks to catch up, and watched most of the South American Club Champions Final of the soccer. I say most b/c between jet-jag and general tiredness,  I think that we barely made it to half time. That said, I was very aware when the game ended (even though I was at home) b/c there were car tooting their horns and playing loud music and screaming for hours afterwards – The team from Quito- Liga- won!

Thursday was my final salsa lesson, and it was great because Anna was able to come along also, and then an uneventful farewell get together with a group of other students from the school. There were a few of us leaving the following day, but I´m afraid to say that I was not feeling all that sentimental b/c I was more excited about starting the next part of our holiday! I was, however, sad about saying goodbye to my lovely teacher, Amparo, who was just the best.

Friday afternoon I was out of school as soon as my final lesson was done and we made our way up to Otovalo (about 2 hours north) for the big markets the following morning. They are the biggest  markets in Ecuador, and although they are terribly overrun with tourists, they were pretty great. ie we brought a fair bit! Where I did the serious damage, however was when we went across to Cotacachi, a little town about 18kms away which is famous for its leatherwork. I (unfortunately) managed to justify the need for a beautiful pair of chocolate brown leather boots which hardly fit in my pack, but I figure will be great to a winter in London….. we´ll see how the parking goes! But they were a steal!

We are now in Mindo (again for me!). We decided that it might have been a little tricky to do the Latacunga loop and be back in time for the flight to the Galápagos, so we decided on an extra day in Otovalo (time to see the Peguche waterfalls)  and then 2 ½ days in Mindo. There are a few things that I didn´t get to do last time, including tubing (down the river) which we are about to do, and visiting some different (and apparently more beautiful waterfalls). Needless tos ay, I am really pleased to be back in this paradise which is Mindo.

So from here we have 5 days in the Galápagos, backed up the following day by 5 days in the jungle. This is the life….!