Part of the endless and awesome climb towards Parque Nacional Cajas.
A miniature folding spoon found between the lid on my strawberry yogurt and the accompanying plastic container of corn flakes located on atop the lid. Needless to say, I kept this tiny treasure for future use.
Near the coast, we stayed in Montañitas, hundreds of sweaty Ecuadorians hang out of cars... everywhere. Dogs strapped down, children held in laps, a free-for-all of a freeway, the lack of rules and law is certainly interesting. It appears as though humans are given, say, the benefit of the doubt here, with more individual discretion and less direction. Perhaps such a system emphasizes Darwinian theory, with the opportunity to test the waters on your own and learn from the experience, rather than having lines to stay between and not much room for acting of your own accord. If you care to do something stupid, go ahead and do it, the results are your own responsibility and only your own, imagine that-I cannot find the question mark symbol on this keyboard, so just insert one here. Frankly, I like it. 
This is Manuel, a sweet 12 year old who sold us everything from fruit bowls to beer during our wave-diving days at Montañitas.
At Somai, a hotel-retreat (for 20 bucks a night!) consisting of several bamboo huts and a beautiful deck overlooking the ocean from the jungle, we heard stories of massive monkeys, anacondas, and deathly spiders. The land and ¨hotel¨ are owned by an aunt and uncle of ana, who cull most of their food right from their backyard, including their coffee. I have one word for life at Somai, a word I am quite fond of these days... simple.
A younger brother of Manuel, one of six, also counts dollars and cents at their oceanside tienda.
Anti-American graffiti, y soy una gringa.
Ana y un gatito blanco a la playa de Montañitas por la mañana.
One of the best, and cheapest, breakfasts around, with all the fruit freshly picked from the backyard. Add yogurt and granola and you are set.
On the way to la playa de Las Friles, a beautiful beach (or so I have heard) that we actually ended up not going to, due to the 12$ per American entry fee. There were three of us from the states, so the beach at Rio Chico sounded just fine at one dollar a pop.
Climbing towards Parque Nacional Cajas. A-mazing.
On the other side of Cajas, en route to Cuenca from la costa.
My butt and beautiful rocks entering the ocean at Rio Chico. Yeah, even after three applications of sun-block, the skin still burned.
The Andes and a burro along the road to Cajas.
My first venture out on the bike, just getting lost and then found again in Cuenca.
En route to Cajas. Words do not explain. Nothing can. It is a feeling and a deep appreciation.
Me and Sula LOVING the mountains, their climbs, and their descents.
