Into the area of Cotopaxi

I left Quito for my stay in the mountains, not that Quito isn't mountainous being the second highest capital in the world, but I was headed to a more rural mountain area.  Our van was packed and I had to ride on the jump seat which would be reasonable on reasonable roads.  The roads leaving Quito were smooth and nicely paved but that was not to last.

We turned off the main road to head to our location overlooking Cotopaxi.  The road up was cobbled but with large cobbles.  It was far from smooth and I was being jostled in that little seat with barely a cushion.  The road wound around up and down and past many farms.  I was stunned by the variety of things being grown in this high region of the world.  Of course there were potatoes which had been domesticated here, and I had eaten them daily since arriving.  But there were so many other things being grown.  Huge squashes and pumpkins sat ready to pick on the vine.  Artichokes jutted out of their stems.  Corn was planted neatly in rows on hillsides.  Amaranth stocks graced some gardens. Animals were tethered all over the sides of the roads, a brilliant way to feed and maintain the overgrowth.  It was clear the population was trying to sustain itself through the crops and animals and it seemed as if they were doing a wonderful job of it.

The next thing I was struck by was our driver's lack of concern for people walking and other cars.  I watched an elderly lady crossing the road with a small child be hurried across by his forceful driving.  I wondered how a culture would develop this lack of concern or care.  Cars were of no concern either.  The driver several times would pass around blind corners and quickly dash in front of the car he had just passed but even stranger the drivers would then always give two toots of their horn, both our driver and the others.  Our driver did not hold the exclusive on this type of driving.  He was passed as many times as he passed others.  The road was slow going for the most part because of its structure.

Finally we turned down the dirt/rocky road to our destination; The Secret Garden Cotopaxi.  Off in the distance the hostel sat against a grass covered hill.  Each building with its unique style was set perfectly against a spectacular background.  The view of Cotopaxi was obscured but the surrounding landscape gave a taste for what would come when the mountain decided to show its face.  This place was perfectly situated and perfectly built.  The rooms blended in with the natural setting and the furnishings were all natural as well. Wooden, custom built bunks lined the edge of my cabin with wood stove in the middle.  We had been promised a waterfall hike a bit later and I couldn't wait to explore.