Vilcabamba

I left Loja Friday night to Vilcabamba. I took a taxi up the mountain to Hostal Izhcayluma. It was dark, but I knew the place was going to be gorgeous as the driveway was enclosed by forestry. I was a little concerned about the distance from the town, but I certainly do not regret staying at this retreat! I can't even begin to explain how incredible it is.

Bar area 

View from the Dining room

In the morning I woke up and ate a delicious breakfast - fresh squeezed juice, fresh fruit and bread, crepes, and coffee. I met some friends the night before and we decided to go on a hike. It was a 5 hour hike in the mountains and was called Izhcayluma Loop. Since the altitude is much higher than Guayaquil.. I had a really hard time (no, it wasn't because I am so out of shape.... and i blame my STILL achy muscles on the altitude as well.)

Just a little sketchy....

After our hike, we went for some well deserved pizza and beer at local restaurant. My friends had some Snake Liquor which was.... interesting. I think after dinner everyone was a little tipsy. The rest of the night was dancing. The next day was spent relaxing by the pool and figuring out where I will go next!

Looks tasty right?

Loja - Day 1

So I know its been a super long time since I have written, but I feel like now is a good time. 

I am at an internet cafe around the corner from my cheap little hostel in Loja. 

This is the first time I have travelled alone. All alone. I took a bus from Guayaquil at 11pm last night to travel 8 hours to get here. I made sure to get a seat at the front so that if I needed, I could easily ask the driver a question. After about ten minutes, one of the drivers asked me to move to he could fully recline his chair to sleep. I was a little reluctant because I really like sitting on the right side of the bus. More comfy to sleep. Anyway, I moved and it turned out to be for the better. There was no one sitting next to me the whole ride so I could sleep in any position I wanted. It was probably one of the better sleeps I have had on a bus! Some stranger kindly woke me up in the morning to let me know we had made it.

I grabbed my very full backpackers back pack that I bought for $23 at the market in Guayaquil, and stood awkwardly at the corner thinking... hmm, I wonder where I should go. People were rushing to get into a taxi, and there was me, Gringa Kelsey standing all alone, probably looking really lost, trying to decide where to go. I started to walk, then stopped myself because in reality, I had no idea where anything was. So I decided to hop in a taxi. I asked him if he could take me to an "economic hostal." It didn´t take long before he dropped me off. It was only 7 in the morning so when I went to check in, there were no beds. I went to the hostal next door. It really isn´t great to be honest, a room with a bed and a tv. Oh. And the window opens up to the shared bathroom (if I would have known that at first, I probably wouldn´t have taken it. Lesson learned... look around a little better.) Anyway, I was trying to ask the lady at the front desk if she had a map and which places I should go to. But she didn´t understand me. Huh, I could have sworn she looked like she spoke spanish! I know for certain it wasnt because of my lack speach!! She ended up being really unfriendly and I totally wanted to switch hotels but I didn´t want to lug my bag around a place I didn´t know. 

I started walking hoping that I could find some of the things I researched earlier. When I realized I had been walking for a really long time and probably wouldn´t find anything, I took a taxi to the Botanical Gardens. I felt really awkward and alone. It was just such a weird feeling being on my own in a place I didn´t know. I was unimpressed by the gardens and decided to leave. The man gave me a map as I was leaving. THANK GOODNESS! That map saved the trip. I was so annoyed before that I didn´t know what I was doing.. but as soon as I got that, I was good to go!

So I went to the Puerta de la Ciudad. There was a small art gallery, cafe, and a lookout. I indulged in all. After that I followed the map to some tourist desinations thinking I would end up back around the area of my hostal. BUT JOKES. I didn´t actually know where my hostal was on the map. So I literally ended up walking to the other end of the city. Clearly I took a taxi back. Good thing they are cheap in Ecuador...

Puerta de la Ciudad

This river runs through the city. There is another one aswell. I saw a dead dog in it today.
At first I thought it was wood. Nope. It was sad. And gross. Sorry for sharing that with you.

I realized I had a lot of time left before it would get dark and since I actually knew where my hostal was this time, I went out walking again. I went to two really cool look out point. So much walking today! 

View from one look out

I was sitting in the park colouring.. and Maria Jose came to join me! 

Although it was a pretty rocky morning, the day ended up being really good and I really think I am going to like travelling my myself!