2016 ECUADOR * Two and a Half Miles High (Feb. 21)

Las Cajas  (13,050 feet)

If thin air had a hue, what would it be?  Pale grey with edges of pallid amber.  Not any colors that are rich and strong enough to heal a persistent cough.  Thankfully there is a special tea here, high in the mountains, that does help one absorb more oxygen to the bloodstream so as to avoid altitude sickness and weakness.

Yesterday my new friends from Canada, Rob and Constance, and I took a special taxi higher into the mountains to Las Cajas ("The Boxes") to the National Park.  We are already at 8,500 feet in Cuenca, but at the peak of Las Cajas we are at 13,050 feet - basically 2.5 miles vertically toward thinner air, away from sea level.  It’s the highest I've ever been on land.  (Cuzco is 11,152 feet, my second highest).   Stepping out of the car and feeling light-headed, I grab a couple indigenous tealeaves and stick them in my cheek.  The scenery was impressive ... a stark, airy beauty.  

Tiny flowers on thick mossy plants

Lower in the park is a shrine area, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.  I asked a local woman about it and it seems a while back she appeared in a vision to a number of people on the side of this mountain.  It’s a spiritual place of thick mosses, clear flowing streams, and delicate flowers.  Constance and I rested and meditated on a rock as Rob climbed higher up the black soil hillside to take photographs. 

Crystal Clear Mountain Stream

Later, following another steep path, we had lunch of mountain trout and potato soup at a small, family-owned restaurant.  Sixty years in business was the boast.  A group of lively Ecuadorians was there and a powerful gentleman approached and offered us a sip of his whiskey.   

Given the slightest encouragement I find Ecuadorians to be the friendliest people.  It was such a peaceful afternoon.  The sun kept offering to break through the clouds but did not fulfill the intent until we headed back to lower altitudes. 

Iglesia de Baños

Today we went to the Baños church and hiked to La Loma .. a hard vein of rock which creates a slash through the town of Baños.   

Rob and Constance wanted to help me recreate a photo I have of myself from 1978 when I first visited the town.  The sky blue church is in the background and it seems that the angle was from La Loma.  We did our best to copy the photo although it is not perfect.  Still, it is fun to try! 

Me today (2016) and near the same spot in 1978

The afternoon proffered us another beautiful day in Cuenca.

en las Afueras de Cuenca - vista de la Casa del Tio Shanta

~