From South to North

I`ve been traveling up the coast of Ecuador with some teaching friends for the past week and a half. It`s been the most amazing experience, and such a great time. We started in Montañita, a popular surf town about 8 hours from Cuenca, and the first main stop on the southern coast. And, if you are a faithful blog reader, it`s the same place I went for my first school break, where I got that strange rash/spots all over my face. Good thing it didn`t happen again!! We arrived just in time for one of the biggest parties of the year, Semana Santa (Holy Week, aka: Easter Weekend). Music blared non-stop for 48 hours, including at 7am. Unfortunately, neither I, nor my fellow traveling friends were in the mood for partying, and so the music was more annoying than fun. However, the weather was great, our hostel was clean (but smelly...what the heck is with us and smelly places?!), and the waves were awesome. I got slightly sunburnt on the last days, but overall it was a great start to our Ecuador adventure traveling.

Next, we caught a bus to Ayampe, an hour north of Montañita. It`s basically two hostels and ten houses, barely even a spot on the map. However, it was PARADISE. We stayed with this family, Galbon, his wife, and his five year old son. Galbon is an amazing cook, although he was away for most of our stay, which was a little disappointing, although the food was still incredible. Our days consisted of eating, swimming, suntanning and reading in the hammocks. It was a phenominal way to recharge our batteries, after teaching annoying rich kids for the past six months!

Finally, we had a big day of travel (broke my daily transportation record, and traveled in 5 buses and a boat!) and arrived in Canoa, another 8 hours north of Ayampe, and yet another chillaxed surf town, just in time for another party weekend. We learned to surf, boogie and body board, and spent even more time in the sun and the sand. Canoa is awesome in it`s own way, less touristy and busy than Montañita, but still Gringolandia and fun. We spent our time in two relaxed hostels, The Bambù, and CocoLoco, both right on the beach, and met up with some cool fellow travelers.

Yesterday, my school friends left for Quito, and tomorrow, I`m heading back to Cuenca, for my second to last leg of Ecuadorian travel. Although I could definitely spend more time on the beach, I think I`m filled up enough to be content with what I`ve had. I am tired of the constant bugs (soooo itchy!!), and the feet that are never clean. And the beach isn`t as fun when you don`t have cool people to enjoy it with.

I can`t believe I only have a month left!!