Tourism Day

Today is Jen´s birthday. The Team surprised her with a cake after breakfast.

Then we crowded into the Van (14 people including the driver!) and drove out on an adventure, Ecuadorian style. Our first stop was the city of Baños (Yes, Banos means bathroom. The name comes from the ¨natural¨hot baths in the vacinity). When we first arrived the driver brought us to a deep gorge. Several of the students Zip-lined over the gorge. Quite a thrill ride to say the least. But even on our day off Medicine for the underserved was part of our day. The Zip-line operator´s son was ill with fever and headache. He appearantly has cerebral palsy and has ëpisodes¨of headache with vomitting. They had nothing to give him, so we left some tylenol.

We then ate lunch inBaños in a small cafe and were serenaded by local musicians ¨Sol De Los Andes¨. They played very authentic flute and guitar music. Then we shopped a little.

Back into the van to head over and through the Andes mountains, passing through several tunnels. We saw several beautiful waterfalls. We stopped at a roadside attraction, that turned out to be a bridge jump (similar to Bunjie jumping, but without the spring - you are harnessed and jump of the bridge and swing back and forth suspended above a gorge). A few of us, including our ¨leader¨Nick, the birthday girl Jen, and me took the jump. It was invigorating!!

Back in the van to Puyo home of the Fatima zoo in the Amazon. The zoo was really cool, we could get right in with many of the animals and touch them. Sarah brought out some fruit she had bought earlier in the day, and before we knew it we were surrounded by the cutest monkeys. They jumped right on our shoulder, and heads and took the fruit from our hands. It was awesome!! The Zoo is doing great work as an orphanage for endagered species, as well as working on educating people and students to think beyond the current ways and look for new ways to save and maintain the Rainforest and all of it´s creatures. Our Guide was quite a funny character and will not be quickly forgotten.

Back in the Van for the 3+ hour ride home. We arrived at the Hostal sometime around 9pm. Martha was ready for us with dinner. Some of the group plans to go out clubbing tonight (a repeat of their evening last night) - but I´m beat so after this post is done I´m going to bed :)
We´ll all be sleeping in tomorrow. And I would guess most will opt for walking over riding in a Van for the next 24 hours!!

Adios,
Terry