4-29
We had an early (5am) tuck from San Augustin to Popayan over an Andes pass that went through the Paramo (above tree line). We then took a bus from Popayan to Pasto and then another bus to from Pasto (I feel like this is the abbreviated name for Pesto Pasta) to the border town of Ipiales. The views on this last leg were gorgeous as we drove along a step canyon with a big river below. Once in Ipiales, we took a taxi to Lajas. We checked into a place that is meant for the pilgrims visiting the church at Lajas. It used to be run by nuns. We were the only ones there as it was a weekday; thus, no local pilgrims were there. It was an interesting little place since it was for Catholic pilgrims and also because it was empty. It had a cool little courtyard and a chapel in it. When we arrived into the town, the power was out in the whole town, so it was completely dark. Curiously, however, our place was the only place with light or electricity. A modern miracle? or does a place where the higher ups of the Catholic church visit have better electrical systems. Who knows, though we saw the next day that the famous church is powered by hydro electricity by the river that flows under it, which we thought was pretty cool.
4-30
We woke up early and visited the impressive and fairytale like church of our lady of Laja. It is a dramatic church built in a deep gorge. Part of the church and its bridge span the gorge and is built over the rushing river below. Waterfalls fall around the church as well.
The church was built because the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared here to some farmers. Just like at other famous places where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared (i.e Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadaloupe), the water here is supposed to have miraculous healing powers. As you take the stone steps and path down to the church, there are thousands of plaques put up by people thanking the Virgen of Laja for their miracles.
Just before noon, we took a taxi to the border with Ecuador. From there we changed our remaining pesos to dollars (Ecuador uses the US dollar as their currency and their doller coin, for which there are tons is the Sacajawea Dollar, which happens to work well bc Sacajawea looks a lot like the indigenous mountain people of Ecuador) and then walked across the bridge into Ecuador. We took a collectivo to the Ecuador border down of Tuclan and then a very long ride from Tulcan to Banos via Quito and changing buses in Ambato. It was a long, but very scenic ride with mountain vies, including some volcanoes and one especially large glaciated volcano.
We arrived into Banos late at night after a long and taxing bus ride. We went out for food and walked past the main nightlife strip. They had very good deals. 4 for $1 of this drink similar to a margarita, so we relaxed and wound down there and watched the people salsa dance before heading back to our hostel.
Ecuador is much cheaper than Colombia so that will be nice. But I do already miss Colombia bc they have the friendliest people. And life is so tranquillo there. It is also the country that I have felt the most safe (For both me and my belongings) of anywhere in South America. Ecuador, bc of what happened to my brother there and bc of warnings in the guide books about thefts and being out at night and bus rides and such is a bit more stressful while traveling in terms of keeping your guard up, being prepared, being watchful, etc. It's not more dangerous that places like Peru and Brazil, it's just that you have to exercise a lot of caution. But little towns like Banos are very nice and feel very safe and in places like that it is perfectly fine to be outside at night and such.
We had an early (5am) tuck from San Augustin to Popayan over an Andes pass that went through the Paramo (above tree line). We then took a bus from Popayan to Pasto and then another bus to from Pasto (I feel like this is the abbreviated name for Pesto Pasta) to the border town of Ipiales. The views on this last leg were gorgeous as we drove along a step canyon with a big river below. Once in Ipiales, we took a taxi to Lajas. We checked into a place that is meant for the pilgrims visiting the church at Lajas. It used to be run by nuns. We were the only ones there as it was a weekday; thus, no local pilgrims were there. It was an interesting little place since it was for Catholic pilgrims and also because it was empty. It had a cool little courtyard and a chapel in it. When we arrived into the town, the power was out in the whole town, so it was completely dark. Curiously, however, our place was the only place with light or electricity. A modern miracle? or does a place where the higher ups of the Catholic church visit have better electrical systems. Who knows, though we saw the next day that the famous church is powered by hydro electricity by the river that flows under it, which we thought was pretty cool.
4-30
We woke up early and visited the impressive and fairytale like church of our lady of Laja. It is a dramatic church built in a deep gorge. Part of the church and its bridge span the gorge and is built over the rushing river below. Waterfalls fall around the church as well.
The church was built because the Virgin Mary reportedly appeared here to some farmers. Just like at other famous places where the Virgin Mary supposedly appeared (i.e Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of Guadaloupe), the water here is supposed to have miraculous healing powers. As you take the stone steps and path down to the church, there are thousands of plaques put up by people thanking the Virgen of Laja for their miracles.
Just before noon, we took a taxi to the border with Ecuador. From there we changed our remaining pesos to dollars (Ecuador uses the US dollar as their currency and their doller coin, for which there are tons is the Sacajawea Dollar, which happens to work well bc Sacajawea looks a lot like the indigenous mountain people of Ecuador) and then walked across the bridge into Ecuador. We took a collectivo to the Ecuador border down of Tuclan and then a very long ride from Tulcan to Banos via Quito and changing buses in Ambato. It was a long, but very scenic ride with mountain vies, including some volcanoes and one especially large glaciated volcano.
We arrived into Banos late at night after a long and taxing bus ride. We went out for food and walked past the main nightlife strip. They had very good deals. 4 for $1 of this drink similar to a margarita, so we relaxed and wound down there and watched the people salsa dance before heading back to our hostel.
Ecuador is much cheaper than Colombia so that will be nice. But I do already miss Colombia bc they have the friendliest people. And life is so tranquillo there. It is also the country that I have felt the most safe (For both me and my belongings) of anywhere in South America. Ecuador, bc of what happened to my brother there and bc of warnings in the guide books about thefts and being out at night and bus rides and such is a bit more stressful while traveling in terms of keeping your guard up, being prepared, being watchful, etc. It's not more dangerous that places like Peru and Brazil, it's just that you have to exercise a lot of caution. But little towns like Banos are very nice and feel very safe and in places like that it is perfectly fine to be outside at night and such.
1 comment:
I know I experienced a small miracle there, ha ha!
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