So lets elaborate on this topic- the last two days have certainly been worth mentioning. Yesterday morning I woke up and headed into the historic center. After a few hours at the National Museum, Sergio and me ( Sergio being my new friend) headed to the male jail of Quito. Sergio was not the one who initiated this visit but the "crazy czech chick" ( as he likes to call me) wanted to go, so we went!!! WOW....that is the first thing I have to say. We arrived in front of the jail, a slightly dodgy area of Quito being the setting, and approached the guards, to ask how we should approach. I had read on some randomer's blog, that Wednesdays were the visiting days in jail and so I thought why not visit a lonely foreigner who doesn't have family or friends visitng him , unlike the others. After a long time in the director's office, convincing him that we are not complete weirdoes, Sergio and me received permission to visit Raymond. You know the show: "everybody loves raymond"? Well I have a feeling that this show might be based on our raymond. Raymond is 63, from London ( we had a lot to chat about), and has been in the Quito jail for 3 years and 7 months. Why? well because they found 3kg of cocain in his suitcase on the way out of ecuador. obviously!!! :) as you do.
anyway...i could go on about how we walked around the jail, chatted to other criminals, sat and listened to 'lemon tree' in a cell, had a lunch of rice and pork in prison, or just tried to keep cool whilst we listened to Raymond talk about 47 deaths in the prison during his stay there BUT that would be pointless, as all that needs to be said, is that it was an experience beyond anything I have had in my life. Quito prison, being the 2nd most dangerous in the world, is generally a place I did not see myself strolling around in on a Wednesday afternoon but as things happen I did. I still have 3 stamps decorating my forearm - VISITAS!!!
After the visit to prison, Sergio and me wandered around the historical city center, looking for some random bookstore ( as he is obsessed with musical theory books). Although we did not find it we did find a beautiful caffee with some delicious local dishes. We sipped on Morocho ( a lovely warm rice drink) and slowly headed home. Sergio got very enthusiastic about the free 12litres of rum&coke at our hostel, but I had one last camomile tea and headed into bed.
Refreshed and revitalized I awoke this mornign ready for another adventure. What form did this adventure take? Well a LONG journey to Banos ofcourse...An hour on one bus, to the main bus station, and then another 5 hours on another bus to Banos. We are staying in hostel Transilvania and our first few hours in Banos have already lived up to their expectations. After some soup and rice for dinner, a trip to the highest volcanoe in Ecuador was on the menu. Surrounded by the cheeriest of people, a small, colourful trolley ascended the volcano, only to drop us off at a clearing where the view was exquisite. Complimentary drinks of Puntas ( the local drink I mentioned in a previous blog), combined with a huge bonfire and a night view of Banos put us all in a serene mood and I ended up bonding with a 58-year-old Argentinian, who is doing a similar trip around south america, like me.
There really are moments when if you listen, you hear your heart saying : yes, now you are truly living your life; truly following your heart and destiny!!! That was one of those moments. I wish I could share the moment with those I love but as I am here alone, instead I embrace the beauty and hope to share it with others through the changes these travels evoke in me.
Tomorrow?? lets see....maybe an 8 hour hyke to the top of the volcano, or a train trip to Puyo, or maybe we just leave it up to fate...yeah i think we shall do that!!
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