Today’s weather in Baños.

It is a beautiful day in Baños and may I suggest, leave us all enjoy it. We have had two days without rain, so I am unofficially calling the rainy season over. Today dawned with few clouds, patches of fog on the northern mountains and along the Pastaza River. Highs in the low 70´s and beautiful. Mountains a vivid green in all directions. A little breezy at times and intermittent clouds.

Hike to the Cross at Bellavista.

Today I took a hike with some friends to the Cross at Bellavista. You can see the cross from downtown and is located above the waterfall at the southeast end of the city. I went with Alex my friend who has a camera and has taken most of the pictures that you see here on my blog, his nephew David and T.J who is the son of the owners of the T.J´s restaurant and Internet Café...and their two dogs.

The hike takes anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour depending on age and condition. There are a few slippery spots but if you can walk you can make it.

Rest Stop No. 1.

After 15 minutes on the trail it is time for a picture stop. Today is partly cloudy, the air is fresh and as you notice in the picture, it looks a little hazy. Not the vivid greens that you normally see when looking across the city at the mountains. These last few days the mountains remind me of the Great Smoky Mountains in the Eastern United States. When I asked about this, I was informed it was a light fog and indicated that the seasons were changing. 

Two boys, a dog and an old man on the trail.

 

Looking west to the pass, and the road to Ambato.

This is Alex. He is my friend the English Teacher at one of the high schools, owns a small store and is most importantly at this time my photographer.  

Got to get this guy to move.

Rest Stop No. 2

From here you can see the San Francisco Bridge, (Located at the center), which takes you across the Pastaza River. From there you have the opportunity of many more adventures. 

Bellavista Cafe

Stop here for a refreshment before returning to Baños. Ask for Olga...she is the owner. 

View From the Cross...looking east.

Time For a Rest

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From here on a clear day or night you have a great view of Tungurahua. You can drive to this spot from Baños and there is a tour that comes here each night to see the eruptions. They don’t guarantee anything but a good time. Cost is $4.00. 

One of the many beautiful flowers that grow like weeds here in Ecuador. 

It is a beautiful day here in Baños and I wish you were all here to enjoy it.

Today I walked a new trail to get a closer look at Tungurahua. The volcano has been quiet for several weeks now. Before, when you were within four or five kilometers form the crater, you could hear strange roaring sounds, not unlike a huge furnace gasping for air, or hear and feel the explosions taking place inside the mountain....but today their was nothing. All you could hear was the gentle roar of the Bascun River below and a few birds, possibly discussing the old gringo that was invading their territory.

As I explore these mountains and learn more about volcanoes in general and Tungurahua in particular, I try to figure out just what the chances would be if it suddenly blew. Tungurahua is a steep sided stratovocano with the horseshoe shaped crater opening to the west. Because of this fact Baños would be spared form being inundated with lava and pyoclastic material. (my unprofessional opinion only). The biggest problem would be from lahars, a volcano-hydrologic event, brought about when the snow and ice pack on the north face would melt rapidly, creating a fast-moving sediment-laden flood of water, mixed with up-routed trees and huge boulders, that would reach the Bascun Bridge in four minutes. Since the main part of the city is separated by the Bascun Canyon again, in my opinion the city would be saved. The third worry would be from ash and falling volcanic rocks. To sum it all up, I have concluded that with a few precautions, which includes masks to filters the airborne particles, possibly a hard hat and emergency food and water supplies, I will probably die of natural causes. I am at peace.

Volunteer wanted to teach English.

Is anyone interested in working four hours a day for six months here in Baños, Ecuador teaching English? There would be no salary but you would receive room and board. If interested please e-mail me at banosecuador@hotmail.com.

Roberto

Here is where I hang out. The food is good and there is free Internet while waiting for your order. To my right is Laura, she is the boss.

Food in Baños.

Although there is no shortage of food here in Baños , nor is it expensive, however you will find very few obese children or adults walking the streets. The eating customs here are more likely to follow the old adage, “eat to live and not the live to eat. There is also no dearth of restaurants, but as yet no McDonalds, Burger King or Kentucky Fried Chicken. Most of the restaurants are for the tourists as the local population prefer to take their meals at home.

For the tourists who want a choice of Epicurean delights, they will be disappointed. You can expect to pay from $0.90-$2.50 for breakfast and $1.00-$4.00 for lunch or dinner. Tipping is not expected, or warranted for that mater. You will be asked what you would like, it will be served without comment and when you are ready to leave you will most likely have to look up the server. One of these days, things will change. Someone will explain that if you give a little more attention, you can double the amount of the bill and may even get a tip to boot.

While on this subject...Laura, who owns the Internet café and restaurant where I spend a lot of time, was alone a few days ago and to help her out, I waited on a table of three people from Spain.. When they were almost finished, I placed the check on a small saucer and left it on the corner of the table and told them “when you are ready”.. They placed some money on the saucer, and I brought the change. A few minutes later they left and when I picked up the dirty dishes the change was still on the plate. I showed it to Laura and we both laughed. That could be the beginning of change. If this custom catches on....I guess I am the person to blame. Sorry.

Cabellera de la Virgen

This waterfall drops 75 meters from the side of the cliff above the mineral baths of Virgen de Agua Santa, (Virgin of the Holy Waters).

Piscinas de Virgen de Agua Santa

There are several hot mineral baths in Baños, but the most famous sits beneath the falls and above the hot springs. There are three pools. hot, warm and cold. Open from 4:30AM to 5:00PM and from 6:00PM to 10:00PM, seven days a week. Entrance fee is $1.00. Over 60, $0.50. 

Laundromat....Baños Style

Communal laundry facilities at the foot of the waterfall. Uses the water from the falls that continually flows through this outdoor laundromat. 

Manuel....

This is Manuel, the first friend that I made in Baños when I arrived in April. He will be 95 in March and still works 8 days a week. His youngest son is 30. He is currently single. 

This is my friend Carmela. She sells many of the typical textile products made here in Ecuador. 

Carmela and her husband make many of the hammocks that they sell.  

Carmela would love to sell you one.

Hammocks are just one of the many beautiful textile products made here in Ecuador. This handmade, 100% cotton hammock sells for $10.00.If you would like to buy one of these hammocks from Carmela, click on the button below. The total cost delivered Canada,United States or Mexico is only $27.50. It will be shipped via certified “Snail Mail” and will take about three weeks for delivery. This is a great value....I guarantee it!