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| Walk to School |
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Daily Walk To School
Click on the post title for our walk to school in pictures. After it opens click on "Slide Show" above the pictures.
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
It Is A Beautiful Day Today....And I suggest that we all enjoy it.
For the past 9 years I have been helping out at a small indigenous school in Salasaka. It has been a wonderful experiences in my life.
We have had almost 400 volunteers working here over the years and 99.9% leave with a positive experience. Every once in a while I run across something they have left on the web for the world to see. I would like to pass these on to others who may be contemplating volunteering somewhere in South America. Here is some food for thought.
From Jana. Click Here
Monday, April 06, 2015
Volunteering....Baños Or Salasaka
In just a few more days or maybe a week, we will open our Travel Agency in Baños....This will than have the rights to sell any tour or trip to the public, but will probably stick to our own Cultural Tour to Salasaka. The tour will be a full-day tour, starting in Baños and returning to Baños. It will be marketed to the above 30 crowd who want more than just the recreational tours offered by the 100 plus agency that operate on almost every corner in Baños.
We will be looking for a couple of Volunteers to help promote this tour in Baños. They would live in Salasaka with the other volunteers who work at the Katitawa School, Library or Nursery in Salasaka. If you are not familiar with are volunteer program in Salasaka check out our Katitawa blog. For more information about our little school, nestled in the hills above Salasaka click here.
Sunday, April 05, 2015
After Baños....What next. Why Not Volunteer in Salasaka?
When you have had your fill of Baños and want to move on to do something different....Consider volunteering in Salasaka. It just might be the best thing you have ever done in your life.
Salasaka is a indigenous pueblo just 50 cents up the road from Baños.
For more information our little school, nestled in the hills above Salasaka click here.
Salasaka is a indigenous pueblo just 50 cents up the road from Baños.
For more information our little school, nestled in the hills above Salasaka click here.
Saturday, April 04, 2015
A Beautiful Day In Baños
Yesterday I went to Baños from Salasaka, primarily to take Inti one of our Katitawa School (www.katitawa.blogspot.com), students to the Doctor. He was born with some problems with his legs and now at 10 years old, we are using some of our Emergency Fund to see if we can get some help. We met with a doctor who gave him a preliminary examination and would like us to get an MRI so she could get a clearer picture of what are the options to make his life a little easier. We will try to get this done in Ambato in the next week.
After the examination, I put them on the bus for Salasaka and decided to spend some time getting to know Baños all over again. I still visit Baños every month or so, but never as a tourist. I was surprised at how much the city has changed.
Just outside the bus terminal, I saw an old restaurant, with a new name and decided to have a late breakfast. Maybe my memory has slipped over the years, but as I remember the restaurants were always really friendly and eager to please. It was a large restaurant and there was only two people eating maybe three. I wandered in and found a place to sit down and although the place was nearly empty and at least six employees conversing with one another, in time one of them came by and I ordered breakfast. When the server came by and brought me the water for my coffee, I tasted it and it was just lukewarm, I called her back and told her that the water was not hot. She looked at me as if I was senile and said "It's hot"....I said in a rather loud voice, "it is not hot" This annoyed her and without a word she came back, picked up the cup and walked over to the micro and put it inside. When she brought the cup back it was hot and she said not a word.
After I ate, I wanted another cup of coffee and had to call out to three other servers who were talking across the room and asked if I could order another cup of coffee. It came, I drank it and found the place to pay and a tall gentleman, maybe the owner came over and told me how much I owed, He gave me my change, I left and the total words from the staff were, five from the waitress and a couple of numbers from the cashier.
After this memorable breakfast everything changed. I met up with a friend who had volunteered at Katitawa, and we walked around town and visited the Posada del Abuela, where I was a partner in the past. We also stopped by the Sangay Hotel where I had friends and the Posada del Arte , which is a great place to stay, by the way. I hope I am boring you with all of this memory lane stuff. You have to remember it has been a long time since I posted on this blog.
Now the fun begins. There is a new attraction in Baños that was built some years ago, but new to me. Parque de La Familia....or The Family Park. It is only about five or 10 minutes from Baños, just across the river by the Agoyan Dam. Since I did not know exactly where it was, we took a taxi for $3. It is beautiful.
I do not have a camera so here is the web site....Check it out. www.parquefamiliabanos@tungurahua.gob.ec. The admission is free and it is open from Wednesday through Sunday. From 10 to 6. It even has spaces to camp.
There is a new bus service that takes you back to town for 25 cents.
Before I went back to Salasaka, I stopped by Ray Hood's Cafe Hood and had a great cup of coffee and two of his famous Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Since Sunday's are the worst days to travel to Salasaka, I got a seat on an Ambato bus and before it left the Controller, asked me where I was going. "Salasaka", I replied. He said, "One dollar", which is the inflated price to Ambato. I said nothing and sat there. When we were on our way he came by and said, "$1". What about my over 80 discount? He said "$1".
It was a great day and now I am back in Salasaka geting ready for my classes on Monday.
Thanks for reading.....If anyone is listening. Robert.
After the examination, I put them on the bus for Salasaka and decided to spend some time getting to know Baños all over again. I still visit Baños every month or so, but never as a tourist. I was surprised at how much the city has changed.
Just outside the bus terminal, I saw an old restaurant, with a new name and decided to have a late breakfast. Maybe my memory has slipped over the years, but as I remember the restaurants were always really friendly and eager to please. It was a large restaurant and there was only two people eating maybe three. I wandered in and found a place to sit down and although the place was nearly empty and at least six employees conversing with one another, in time one of them came by and I ordered breakfast. When the server came by and brought me the water for my coffee, I tasted it and it was just lukewarm, I called her back and told her that the water was not hot. She looked at me as if I was senile and said "It's hot"....I said in a rather loud voice, "it is not hot" This annoyed her and without a word she came back, picked up the cup and walked over to the micro and put it inside. When she brought the cup back it was hot and she said not a word.
After I ate, I wanted another cup of coffee and had to call out to three other servers who were talking across the room and asked if I could order another cup of coffee. It came, I drank it and found the place to pay and a tall gentleman, maybe the owner came over and told me how much I owed, He gave me my change, I left and the total words from the staff were, five from the waitress and a couple of numbers from the cashier.
After this memorable breakfast everything changed. I met up with a friend who had volunteered at Katitawa, and we walked around town and visited the Posada del Abuela, where I was a partner in the past. We also stopped by the Sangay Hotel where I had friends and the Posada del Arte , which is a great place to stay, by the way. I hope I am boring you with all of this memory lane stuff. You have to remember it has been a long time since I posted on this blog.
Now the fun begins. There is a new attraction in Baños that was built some years ago, but new to me. Parque de La Familia....or The Family Park. It is only about five or 10 minutes from Baños, just across the river by the Agoyan Dam. Since I did not know exactly where it was, we took a taxi for $3. It is beautiful.
I do not have a camera so here is the web site....Check it out. www.parquefamiliabanos@tungurahua.gob.ec. The admission is free and it is open from Wednesday through Sunday. From 10 to 6. It even has spaces to camp.
There is a new bus service that takes you back to town for 25 cents.
Before I went back to Salasaka, I stopped by Ray Hood's Cafe Hood and had a great cup of coffee and two of his famous Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Since Sunday's are the worst days to travel to Salasaka, I got a seat on an Ambato bus and before it left the Controller, asked me where I was going. "Salasaka", I replied. He said, "One dollar", which is the inflated price to Ambato. I said nothing and sat there. When we were on our way he came by and said, "$1". What about my over 80 discount? He said "$1".
It was a great day and now I am back in Salasaka geting ready for my classes on Monday.
Thanks for reading.....If anyone is listening. Robert.
Friday, April 03, 2015
A New Beginning.
A lot has happened since my last post. I am still living and working in Salasaka. However we now are starting a new project in Baños. Should have a new post on Monday.
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
How To Book Our New Tour To Salasaka
LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF MALDANALDO AND ORIENTE, Just a block from the bus station. Reservations can be made at most Hostels or Travel Agencies.
Or contact Wonderful Ecuador Tour Operator
Oriente & Maldonado
Baños - Ecuador
Email: info@wonderfulecuador.org
Monday, May 19, 2014
Salasaka Cultural Tour....$25 Full-Day Tour Including, Breakfast and Lunch.
We would like to invite you to join us on a cultural tour to a part of Ecuador that is overlooked by most tourists to Baños. Salasaka and Patate.
Salasaka is a small indigenous community located in the Andean Highlands, between Baños and Ambato. Patate is a small city located in the fertile Patate Valley.
The Salasakans have a very colorful past and the history is portrayed in a unique museum in the center of town. The work on this museum took many years and opened its doors to the public in 2013. It is housed in the tallest building in Salasaka and is open every day from 9:00 to 5:00
You are welcome to visit this unique museum on your own, however to enhance your experience we have put together this Cultural Tour with the museum as its centrepiece.
We would also like to acquaint you with the Katitawa Projects, which includes a school, library and plant nursery.....And now a Cultural Tour.
The Katitawa Project began in 2006 and is not part of any government program. It is also independent of any special interest group. It is an unique organization with only three people who are paid....And that money comes from voluntary donations. The rest of the work is done by volunteers from all over the world....And that includes the head volunteer who is a resident of Ecuador.
The Katitawa motto is, Sumak Kawsay Yachay. A Kichwa phrase meaning....Beautiful, Life, Education. The logo is SKY....The acronym in Kichwa or Spanish doesn't mean much but it does work well in English.
Itinerary
08:30...Orientation breakfast at the Posada del Abuelo.
09:15...Depart for Salasaka. This 45 minute trip will take us through Pelileo and on up to the home of the Indigenous people called the Salasakans. The elevation is 2900 meters. This town is a parochial of Pelileo, but is autonomous in almost everything.
Our first stop will be the Museum.
After spending as much time as desired in the museum, you are free to visit the artisan market which is located across the street from the museum.
A short distance up the street you will find the Katitawa Nursery. This is part of the Katitawa Project that includes the Katitawa School and the Rosa Maria Library.
11:30....Depart for the Katitawa School which is located on a hill just three Km from the center of town. On school days, you will have lunch with the children.
12:45....Say goodbye to your new friends and depart for Patate, a picturesque town where they are famous for their arapes and chicha de uva.
14:30.....Depart for Baños.
15:30....Arrival....Mas o Menos.
THE OPERATOR FOR THIS TOUR IS "WONDERFUL ECUADOR TOUR OPERATOR",
LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF MALDANALDO AND ORIENTE, Just a block from the bus station. Reservations can be made at most Hostels or Travel Agencies.
Or contact Wonderful Ecuador Tour Operator
Oriente & Maldonado
Baños - Ecuador
Email: info@wonderfulecuador.org
Salasaka is a small indigenous community located in the Andean Highlands, between Baños and Ambato. Patate is a small city located in the fertile Patate Valley.
The Salasakans have a very colorful past and the history is portrayed in a unique museum in the center of town. The work on this museum took many years and opened its doors to the public in 2013. It is housed in the tallest building in Salasaka and is open every day from 9:00 to 5:00
You are welcome to visit this unique museum on your own, however to enhance your experience we have put together this Cultural Tour with the museum as its centrepiece.
We would also like to acquaint you with the Katitawa Projects, which includes a school, library and plant nursery.....And now a Cultural Tour.
The Katitawa Project began in 2006 and is not part of any government program. It is also independent of any special interest group. It is an unique organization with only three people who are paid....And that money comes from voluntary donations. The rest of the work is done by volunteers from all over the world....And that includes the head volunteer who is a resident of Ecuador.
The Katitawa motto is, Sumak Kawsay Yachay. A Kichwa phrase meaning....Beautiful, Life, Education. The logo is SKY....The acronym in Kichwa or Spanish doesn't mean much but it does work well in English.
Itinerary
08:30...Orientation breakfast at the Posada del Abuelo.
09:15...Depart for Salasaka. This 45 minute trip will take us through Pelileo and on up to the home of the Indigenous people called the Salasakans. The elevation is 2900 meters. This town is a parochial of Pelileo, but is autonomous in almost everything.
Our first stop will be the Museum.
After spending as much time as desired in the museum, you are free to visit the artisan market which is located across the street from the museum.
A short distance up the street you will find the Katitawa Nursery. This is part of the Katitawa Project that includes the Katitawa School and the Rosa Maria Library.
11:30....Depart for the Katitawa School which is located on a hill just three Km from the center of town. On school days, you will have lunch with the children.
12:45....Say goodbye to your new friends and depart for Patate, a picturesque town where they are famous for their arapes and chicha de uva.
14:30.....Depart for Baños.
15:30....Arrival....Mas o Menos.
LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF MALDANALDO AND ORIENTE, Just a block from the bus station. Reservations can be made at most Hostels or Travel Agencies.
Or contact Wonderful Ecuador Tour Operator
Oriente & Maldonado
Baños - Ecuador
Email: info@wonderfulecuador.org
After A Long Hiatus I'm Back
I am still living and working in Salasaka, but we have just started a cultural tour from Baños to Salasaka. If you are not familiar with our projects there please visit www.katitawa.blogspot.com.
Tour Itinerary will be posted shortly. Robert
Tour Itinerary will be posted shortly. Robert
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Casa del Abuelo....Lorenzo Is Back.
After a couple years in Mexico, Lorenzo, the popular character who ran the Casa del Abuelo is back at the old and beautiful hostel. If you haven't been there you are in for a treat....And that does not only mean the pastry bar.
Lorenzo has also decided to be one of the sponsors of Katitawa School in nearby Salasaka. Click here for infomation about the school.
Thank you Lorenzo and I know you will have another big success at Casa del Abuelo.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Tungurahua Comes Back To Life
On Wednesday Tungurahua started acting up again with the strongest explosions on New Year's Day. The steam and ash emissions reaching 1.5 km above the crater.
The athoraties are keeping a wathful eye on the monitors.
This morning the activity was normal.
The athoraties are keeping a wathful eye on the monitors.
This morning the activity was normal.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Baños Is Still The Number One Tourist Destination In Ecuador.
I now live in Salasaca and have for several years; However I still visit Baños often and I will try to bring you up to date as to what is going on there.
If you are anywhere near Baños on New Years Eve, you can't find a better place to "burn" in the new year. The tradition of burning in effigy the old at the stroke of 12 is still as popular as ever.
If you are wearing a custom of any type still gives you the right to beg from those who don't. It is great fun to walk the streets and see all of the displays which will be heaped on the fires that will create a cloud of smoke which will cover the whole city. For one night a year....Join the polluters.
If you are anywhere near Baños on New Years Eve, you can't find a better place to "burn" in the new year. The tradition of burning in effigy the old at the stroke of 12 is still as popular as ever.
If you are wearing a custom of any type still gives you the right to beg from those who don't. It is great fun to walk the streets and see all of the displays which will be heaped on the fires that will create a cloud of smoke which will cover the whole city. For one night a year....Join the polluters.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Internet Prices In Baños Have Dropped.
Many hostels and hotels in Baños are now offering free Internet usage to their guests. This has caused hardships for many of the Internet businesses in Baños forcing them to either close or lower their prices.
Anyone who has ever spent time in Baños, after visiting other places in Ecuador have wondered why the high prices. Now you can spend time in almost every Internet cafe in Baños for $1 or less per hour.
Anyone who has ever spent time in Baños, after visiting other places in Ecuador have wondered why the high prices. Now you can spend time in almost every Internet cafe in Baños for $1 or less per hour.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Thanks To An Old Friend For All The Pictures
For all of you that have followed this blog for the past four years, you must have noticed a lot more pictures a lot more often.
Last August Homero, my friend for more than 29 years came to Baños for a visit. We had a wonderful time and when he left he gave me his camera. I am told that a picture is worth 1,000 words so he has saved me hours and hours of Internet time.
Thank you Homero and come back soon.
Last August Homero, my friend for more than 29 years came to Baños for a visit. We had a wonderful time and when he left he gave me his camera. I am told that a picture is worth 1,000 words so he has saved me hours and hours of Internet time.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Every Once In A While, Tungurahua Lets Off Steam
This morning the view was fantastic of Mama Tungurahua. but in a few minutes it was hidden behind a self-generated cloud.
This is a common occurrence as it belches up steam and it is much preferred to the destructive ash.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Tungurahua Still Resting.
On the way to Katitawa this morning I took this photo of Tungurahua from the main street of Salasaca. There is a little ash being emitted but not enough to cause concern.
Click on the picture and join us on our walk to school. Or Click Here for "Slide Show".
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| Walk to School |
Saturday, February 16, 2008
This & That
It is a beautiful day and I suggest we all enjoy it.
Ryan and Cara, volunteers from the United States went to the jungle for a week or 10 days. They will be back in Salasaca at the end of the month.
I received an e-mail from Enda, a volunteer from Ireland who asked about Maria Antonia. Well I am happy to say Enda, that she is back. After a six month sabbatical in the United States, taking care of some pressing personal business she is back for an indefinite period. She is a good friend and a dedicated supporter of the Katitawa School.
Welcome home Antonia. Your garden awaits you.
During a recent conversation, we were discussing money or the lack of it and she said “have you ever had to budget $0.40”. I had to laugh because I knew exactly what she was talking about, for I had been there myself.
Today I met our latest volunteers, Wendy and Adam from England. They plan to stay for a minimum of three weeks but it could be longer. We will stay at the hostel in Ambato tonight and tomorrow I will take them to Salasaca and up to the school at 7:30Monday morning.
The hostel and spa are now open in Ambato. All of the proceeds from this venture will go to the projects in Salasaca. Since we have no crystal ball to look at for the amount of donations we will receive each month we are hoping that we will be able in a few months time to have a steady income from the hostel and Spa of at least $500.00. This will help with our monthly expenses in Salasaca. We only have two paid employees who work in the spa and give massages. The rest of us work for free.
In the meantime we need to spread to word. We have added an Ambato page to this site which you can reach by clicking here.
Ambato is not a tourist town, however there are tourists that visit. The spa is located in the city center which attracts 100% of the tourists. There are many musical concerts and two or three act plays that take place in the city and most are free. It is well worth a night or two to get to know the city. I will be posting on the Ambato page, a calendar of events so that visitors in Baños could possibly come down for a night of culture.
We will also be looking for volunteers who would like to help out for a week or two. If anyone is interested, leave a comment.
I had to cancel my Internet Service because the service was just tooooooo bad. I have really missed being able to write and post whenever I had the urge, not to mention the additional cost of going to the Internet businesses. Part of the problem with the service was, I am sure, the age of my computer. Recently a friend donated an almost new computer so I am contemplating signing up once again for the Internet service. We will see.
Ryan and Cara, volunteers from the United States went to the jungle for a week or 10 days. They will be back in Salasaca at the end of the month.
I received an e-mail from Enda, a volunteer from Ireland who asked about Maria Antonia. Well I am happy to say Enda, that she is back. After a six month sabbatical in the United States, taking care of some pressing personal business she is back for an indefinite period. She is a good friend and a dedicated supporter of the Katitawa School.
Welcome home Antonia. Your garden awaits you.
During a recent conversation, we were discussing money or the lack of it and she said “have you ever had to budget $0.40”. I had to laugh because I knew exactly what she was talking about, for I had been there myself.
Today I met our latest volunteers, Wendy and Adam from England. They plan to stay for a minimum of three weeks but it could be longer. We will stay at the hostel in Ambato tonight and tomorrow I will take them to Salasaca and up to the school at 7:30Monday morning.
The hostel and spa are now open in Ambato. All of the proceeds from this venture will go to the projects in Salasaca. Since we have no crystal ball to look at for the amount of donations we will receive each month we are hoping that we will be able in a few months time to have a steady income from the hostel and Spa of at least $500.00. This will help with our monthly expenses in Salasaca. We only have two paid employees who work in the spa and give massages. The rest of us work for free.
In the meantime we need to spread to word. We have added an Ambato page to this site which you can reach by clicking here.
Ambato is not a tourist town, however there are tourists that visit. The spa is located in the city center which attracts 100% of the tourists. There are many musical concerts and two or three act plays that take place in the city and most are free. It is well worth a night or two to get to know the city. I will be posting on the Ambato page, a calendar of events so that visitors in Baños could possibly come down for a night of culture.
We will also be looking for volunteers who would like to help out for a week or two. If anyone is interested, leave a comment.
I had to cancel my Internet Service because the service was just tooooooo bad. I have really missed being able to write and post whenever I had the urge, not to mention the additional cost of going to the Internet businesses. Part of the problem with the service was, I am sure, the age of my computer. Recently a friend donated an almost new computer so I am contemplating signing up once again for the Internet service. We will see.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tungurahua Is At Rest....And Baños Is Empty
After a couple of weeks of almost constant activity, Tungurahua is now resting. Some days the activity was violent enough to cause the authorities to suggest that maybe it was time for folks to think about leaving Baños. The explosions were strong, and rattled window as far away as Salasaca. During the day you could see the clouds of ash that drifted to the west but Bañon was generally ash-free. From the center of Baños you are not able to see the top of the volcano although it is less then a mile away, but from the surrounding communities such as Salasaca when the peak was not shrouded with clouds, spectacular sights of the fiery eruptions were visible.
Today was a beautiful day, warm, sunny and empty. Walking around the city I was reminded of Yuma, Arizona at midday in the summer. It was hard to find anyone on the streets, or in the parks.
Even some of the most popular restaurants were closed for vacation.
The news media however, both national and international, continues to pass information about how dangerous it is and recommend that people change their travel plans which causes more financial losses to the merchants in Baños then they have ever suffered by actual damage caused by the volcano itself.
I have grown to hate most 24 hour news channels. It seems that in their quest to fill all the time with something spectacular they commit that despicable act of managing the news without checking the facts. One station announced to the world on January 6th or 7th that Tungurahua was erupting again and showed some footage of the August, 2006 eruption. I received e-mails from friends asking about it and a friend from Mexico arrived on the 8th, commenting about the big eruption that he said “looked bigger then that of 2006”. That was of course news, to the people of Baños who wondered how they could have slept through that one.
Today was a beautiful day, warm, sunny and empty. Walking around the city I was reminded of Yuma, Arizona at midday in the summer. It was hard to find anyone on the streets, or in the parks.
Even some of the most popular restaurants were closed for vacation.The news media however, both national and international, continues to pass information about how dangerous it is and recommend that people change their travel plans which causes more financial losses to the merchants in Baños then they have ever suffered by actual damage caused by the volcano itself.
I have grown to hate most 24 hour news channels. It seems that in their quest to fill all the time with something spectacular they commit that despicable act of managing the news without checking the facts. One station announced to the world on January 6th or 7th that Tungurahua was erupting again and showed some footage of the August, 2006 eruption. I received e-mails from friends asking about it and a friend from Mexico arrived on the 8th, commenting about the big eruption that he said “looked bigger then that of 2006”. That was of course news, to the people of Baños who wondered how they could have slept through that one.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Project Stilts
Today was a wonderful day at Katitawa School. I repeated a project for the kids here that I had done for my own children when they were about the same age. Click on the title of the post for the story.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
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