Baños Ecuador: March 2005

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

Orchids, Orchids Everywhere.

A few days ago while walking along the highway close to Margarita Ville I saw a few new blooms of orchids growing on the side of the cliff and then I realized that the mountain side was covered with them. Hundreds and perhaps thousands in a two or three kilometer stroll.

This is just one of the estimated 4,000 species that grow in Ecuador. I am not sure of the name of this particular flower but will post it as soon as someone enlightens me. What a beautiful sight.

Photo by J. Walker

I recommend the following:

I have been in Ecuador since April 2004 and still find Baños one of my favorite places to visit. I now live and work in Salasaca. From time to time, people still ask for recommendations for various services in Baños. Here are my favorites.

For a hostel you can't beat the Posada del Abuelo. Located just across the from Casa Real on Montalvo. A short walk from the famed hot baths.

For a hamburger....You just can't beat Hickory's. There are two locations and I imagine that the food is the same at each as they are part of a franchise; However I have only tried the place on the 16 de Deciembre, between Martinez and Rocafuerte. They are open only in the evenings after 5pm. Absolutely the best hamburger in Ecuador....Only $3 something.

For a complete meal...Casa Hood. Only open in the evenings. Run by a friend of mine and his wife. Oddly his name is Ray Hood. Located on Martinez just up from the back entrance of the big supermarket.

We Could Use All The Help You Can Give

For all of the readers who come back again and again I would like to invite you to join me in a cause that I feel is worthwhile. For me, the projects in Salasaca are worth my time and what little money I have, however sometimes I run out of both and could use help in both departments. How can I make my dream your dream? I don´t know, but I do know that there are people out there in never-never land who are dreamless, bored and just itching to be part of something that would add purpose to their life. Think about the idea of becoming a volunteer in Salasaca, Ecuador or in a thousand other places and if that is not possible, for whatever reason and you still feel that you would like to be part of something grand....Push the button below, where it says "Make Donation". Your donations are very important to the work that we are doing. The investment in education in Salasaca, is also an investment in the democracy of Ecuador. My reasoning...When you have more education, you have more opportunities which makes you less poor, and you tend to take more responsibility over your own well-being.

Does the activity of the Tungurahua Volcano give you concerns about visiting Baños?
	A little. But I will not let it spoil my visit to Baños.
	A lot. I have changed my itinerary and will not visit Baños.
	I will visit Baños but will spend the night in another community.
	I would really like to know more about the risks that I will be taking.

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