Feb 24 - 25: National Park Nahuel Huapi

The first day was all up and down, up and down. My plan for the second day followed an exposed ridge, but the winds were too strong so I headed back to town through the valley (much easier hike!) It was a good thing I did come back early since, surprise, I realized I didn't have my debit card. At least I now know how to make cheap international phone calls.

Feb 19 - 23 Mas Bariloche

Well, my week of Spanish classes has at least helped me understand a little more when other gringos speak Spanish. Through the school I also go the opportunity to volunteer with some kids in the barrio and take another salsa class.

I love siesta time here but I had a hard time adjusting to Argentinians habit of going out much later than I am used to... I've had dinner at midnight here. Thank god I'm not working.

Feb 17 - 18: Bariloche, Argentina

Bariloche reminds me alot of a Colorado ski resort town... there is pilates, a LaCoste store, and they have my hair products. Its a big change from Ecuador, and more expensive. It doesn't get dark here until 9pm!

I biked part of the Chico Circuit until my chain broke and I had to hitch a ride with a nice family.

I love sitting at a table or somewhere where I am the only native English speaker. I am learning so much.

Feb 15 - 17: Chile, Chile, Chile

I spent all Wednesday travelling so it was great to receive a nice, warm welcome in the Santiago airport at 4am. I stayed for two days in Santiago with Bre's college friend Becka who fed and sheltered me, got me into Chilean soap operas, and filled me in on some quirky Chilean traits.

Feb 11 - 13: Cotopaxi

I climbed this mountain - Cotopaxi at 19,300+ feet, the second highest peak in Ecuador! Well, we almost summitted - someone from the group had bad altitude sickness and we turned around at about 600 feet from the top. But thats pretty damn close!

Feb 6 - 10: Baños

I´ve met other tourists who have studied Spanish from scratch for 4 weeks and are fluent. I don´t think I will be one of them. After 3 days of classes in Baños all I know is that I have alot to learn. When I was not studying or just strolling around town, I went on a few hikes around town and biked the famous road to Puyo laden with amazing waterfalls.

February 2-5: Amazon Jungle

Into the jungle we go! It took 2 hours on a bus and 4 hours on a boat to reach our lodge in the Cuyabeno Reserve. A six-foot anconda who had just ate a small animal was at our campsite to greet us. Other lovely creatures we saw as we canoed through the balck rivers and hiked the jungle - monkeys, dolphins, scorpions, tarantulas, bats and cockroaches. And everything is bigger in the jungle. The jungle is so alive you don´t touch anything for fear of getting a parasite or being bitten. We also visited a native community.



All the bugs loved my bags and clothes, especially the cockroaches.

February 1: La Mitad del Mundo

Today I went to the center of the Earth and straddled the equator. Then I hiked the rim of Volcano Pululahua. People actually live in the caldera. I got a sweaty salsa class in before taking the night bus to Lago for my jungle journey.