Ecuador, land of volcanoes

"Bundle up good, beyond good cold makes"; so I recommended last evening ... and there were plenty of reasons for this. That day dawned very cloudy, a sign that probably to reach my destination would find a foggy, wet, green landscape ...
Our journey began with a steep descent 600 meters down the road to enter the Valley for a few miles later resume Pan, also called "Volcanoes" by the guides, then, on a clear day, one can marvel at one of the most amazing scenery of snow-capped mountains and volcanoes ...
Cotopaxi Ecuador El Porvenir hacienda land volcanescaballos Ruminahui

Ecuador is indeed a "land of volcanoes", so those prominent geographical features, such as the warmth of its people, their drive, their colors ...

The journey was not without interesting ... immense agricultural land, a row of cows fed barley obedient, the capricious fog that was determined to hide the distant peaks ... remembering that those same snow-white mountains, each therefore "desperezan ", giving us a real show, the very manifestation of nature that shelters us ...

Leaving Machachi population, and the main road, we entered the "belly of the Andes", intricate paths, some dirt, some paved, all irregular; a few farms, very old, but beautiful, vast ... lazy "dragorugas" (tractors) sought to maintain the level ground, or starting tasks of plowing, while "black-face" revolaban, waiting for some bug poke his head .. . trail eucalyptus and cedar ...
After one hour 45 minutes or so of down and up, we went from 2800 (in Quito) at 3600 meters above sea level (at the Hacienda El Porvenir, in the foothills of the snow-capped volcano Rumiñahui of 4712 meters ... ).

A happiness I can not describe came over me, the unmistakable aroma of the field, cast the icy breath of the wind, welcomed us ... shortly after I realized that this "aroma" so special was guano, boil ... Then a "fulsome" hosting a couple of great Danes meek ​​... "


"The Future" is a farm with an area of ​​5000 hectares incredible; after going to stay, they invited me to see the facilities ... the warmth of home inviting shelter near the fire ... a rich generous canelazo (with a touch of "tip" or pure drink) together calientitas a mini-empanadas and delicious with cheese, available to the body for anything.
The villa is built in the style of the region with thick adobe walls and wood, thatch, and countless typical, rustic details, the creaking of the boards ... all loved it, so much that I promised myself return one day to spend the night ... It was interesting to note that the rooms are named as some of the native animals of the moor (pumas, deer, birds ...), nomenclature is followed by the word "machay" meaning "refuge" ...
Then the stables: funny cows, the fourth of the frames, the milking area (done twice a day, that is the old way, manually-and you can participate ...).
For riding, I was offered a "overcoat" sheepskin, and a thick and warm "poncho" with what looked like a "chagra" (peasant); In fact, that's the idea, to make visitors experience the mountain life in a natural way ... I was assigned to "Rocinante" (as Quixote ... ironic fate!), friendly and calm horse "criollo "adult, sure-footed ...
We started the climb following a path, we passed the crops, the area where every year counts of livestock (event takes a lot of work, but it is also an attraction for those who like appreciate the skill and dexterity of "chagra" it also runs rodeos are usually performed, in which the whole community participates generally ...).
A few minutes later, we reached an area where we could gallop ... I must admit I felt some misgivings herding "Rocinante" only "guided" and let it go to his pace, although at times the guide harangued, and I left it "fired" and obsequiándome bliss feel free ...
Meters ahead, find bulls; other horses, impressive, gallant, "greeted" nodding and shaking his locks ... as the Great Danes were still running around ...

We came to a huge canyon ... from there, it was only uphill slopes of the volcano to reach their icy summit ... tesito ideal for a moment and rejoice with the landscape, while a very light drizzle struggled unsuccessfully by dent poncho and coat ...
After just over two hours of various emotions, pure air, very vast landscapes, to live for a moment calm, breath of nature, we started the slow return to the ranch ...


"Get out if you can!" Said my guide ... and indeed, scarcely felt my legs ... then a slight stretch for "reacomodarme" ... once I returned to Quito and started making notes I started feeling pain in the lower back, and so was for a couple of days later ... for the first time (that I remember) riding, I think it's an experience.
As I took off my gear, a respective glass with refreshing lemonade subsided my "carburetor", so I set out to enter the room, it was time for lunch ... quinoa soup, a spectacular honey chicken with salad sauteed vegetables, strawberries and cream, and a pleasant desktop on various anecdotes of Cotopaxi ...
I found that what royal hacienda produces is consumed in the same (milk, crops ...), nothing like the freshness of nature ...!

Satisfied, we got on the road again, this time for "Santa Rita" "sister" "El Porvenir" while we were followed by the same cold and intermittent rain ... Through the paths that lead to "Santa Rita" and "El Porvenir" can be practiced interesting bike rides, or walks, of varying intensity and duration ...
And for those who like giddiness and excitement, here's a surprise: Imagine putting a harness, hanging from a wire, and do a quick tour that ranges from 100 to 500 meters, about 50 meters from the ground, through the leafy trees, creeks and streams, while an interesting variety of birds make their own; you can also climb and "rapeling" by rocky and challenging vertical walls of the slopes of the Pita River and environs, and its wide and dizzying cascade; there are also areas where you can camp safely ...

But all is adrenaline; there are those who care about the community; Foundation's why "Páramo" offers social services and assistance to schools in the sector; frequently made ​​waves of foreign donations and volunteering to help children; a task worthy of praise, and support.

Our return was another way where I could see ancient lava formed passages whimsical cracks and broken ... to these heights, certain drowsiness wanted to play me one pass while going over in my head every single detail in order to describe , which photograph of words ...
Despite being plain, I did not particularly affect the height (maybe only when I returned, a very slight headache would appear, nothing that an aspirin a nice warm shower and a good "conversation with the pillow" can not solve .. . part ...), I rather enjoyed it all, because although it was somewhat cloudy, and cold drops of rain that caught us peering into the semi-hidden summit of the volcano, the poncho kept me dry and warm, and the I was offered tea ...
In short, a nice experience, in a friendly hacienda, excellent service, beautiful places ... "Ecuador has everything!" ...