Lets back up a few days...
Some fun details starting a few days ago...
July 9
We´ve reached Chimborazo Base Camp and the lodge owned by Marco Cruz. Yet another stunning spot we´ve been able to experience - www.expediciones-andinas.com - click on Estrella del Chimborazo.
The views from the lodge, the detail of the craftmanship and history of its housed artifacts are reflective of the man who built this dream spot. Each square inch of each room was attended to in detail and with care. The colors chosen to evoke warmth and life and and the pictures and items hung tell a tale of a full rich life.
Marco Cruz has not only been climbing for 50 years he is a lover of history, art, geography and the people that surround him. Among some of the original pitons, carabiners and climbing protection made are photos of his beloved Ecuador and the native people he respects. Despite our lack of climbing we have been more than pleased with our time with Marco - he has taught us much about his country. I am truly in awe of this mans depth.
I wish I could gather all of my friends and family at this lodge and sit around the fire sipping tea. The warmth of that consensus would be profound.
The Next Day:
The snow dump and high winds that we got on Cotopaxi seem to have followed us to Chimborazo. Its been dumping on the mountain for 5 days and continues as I write this - once again nixing our climbing plans. We attempted a hike today in an area near our lodge with Inca ruins and even more unique vegitation, but 100 yards from the car we got pummeled by hail and winds that were knocking us over. The weather is not cooperating.
But mountaineering requires time and patience - the former of which we don`t have since we chose to plan this trip with a tight time schedule. Therefore we must accept our predicament.
So instead of heading up to high camp i sit curled up next to a grand stone fireplace writing and reading - not such a bad consolation actually.
And the Next:
more bad weather. Even if it clears at this point avalanche danger would be very high. So we
started our day with a run from the lodge... at 13,000 feet. Actually it was more like a trot down hill for a bit, then a walk/shuffle back up the hill to the lodge. Now that is an excellent way to humble onself as a runner.
We then headed off to experience a market in a village quite a drive up into the mountains. Here all resident villagers gather each week to purchase or trade food, pigs, cows, and other goods. This collective
of Andean villages houses the original" people of this area who continue to uphold their ancestors traditional way of life. (I took some great pics - look forward to sharing those when I return). From
the market at 14,000 feet we had rich views of the surrounding hills of crops and dwellings.
We then headed to Marco´s home in Riobamba as we were invited to lunch with his family - apparently quite a priviledge. Marco´s home and surrounding property are something out
of ´life of the rich and famous in Ecuador´. His ranch-spanish style home looks like more of a stylish museum of climbing, Incan and Catholic religious artifacts. Stunning at minimum.
But the best of it was our conversation with his wife and daughter. We discussed America and the coming election, sports, and womens
status in both Ecuador and America.
We also got the best compliment I´ve gotten to date from a foreigner who interacts quite a bit with tourists. Ximena, Marco´s wife, said that we seemed incredibly matter of fact and accepting of the ways of 3rd world Ecuador. She said that most people criticize and dissect the ways of the Ecuadorian people rather than take them at face value, as we did. I told her that having traveled extensively, one either learns to observe and accept or,take on the angst of the worlds problems. i prefer the former as it is a much richer means of truly "seeing" another culture.
Opening to the ways of others also allows us to come home and feel genuine priviledge for all we have. And though we don´t think we do - belive me - we have oodles.
more tomorrow before we head to the Amazon.
xoxo
terri
July 9
We´ve reached Chimborazo Base Camp and the lodge owned by Marco Cruz. Yet another stunning spot we´ve been able to experience - www.expediciones-andinas.com - click on Estrella del Chimborazo.
The views from the lodge, the detail of the craftmanship and history of its housed artifacts are reflective of the man who built this dream spot. Each square inch of each room was attended to in detail and with care. The colors chosen to evoke warmth and life and and the pictures and items hung tell a tale of a full rich life.
Marco Cruz has not only been climbing for 50 years he is a lover of history, art, geography and the people that surround him. Among some of the original pitons, carabiners and climbing protection made are photos of his beloved Ecuador and the native people he respects. Despite our lack of climbing we have been more than pleased with our time with Marco - he has taught us much about his country. I am truly in awe of this mans depth.
I wish I could gather all of my friends and family at this lodge and sit around the fire sipping tea. The warmth of that consensus would be profound.
The Next Day:
The snow dump and high winds that we got on Cotopaxi seem to have followed us to Chimborazo. Its been dumping on the mountain for 5 days and continues as I write this - once again nixing our climbing plans. We attempted a hike today in an area near our lodge with Inca ruins and even more unique vegitation, but 100 yards from the car we got pummeled by hail and winds that were knocking us over. The weather is not cooperating.
But mountaineering requires time and patience - the former of which we don`t have since we chose to plan this trip with a tight time schedule. Therefore we must accept our predicament.
So instead of heading up to high camp i sit curled up next to a grand stone fireplace writing and reading - not such a bad consolation actually.
And the Next:
more bad weather. Even if it clears at this point avalanche danger would be very high. So we
started our day with a run from the lodge... at 13,000 feet. Actually it was more like a trot down hill for a bit, then a walk/shuffle back up the hill to the lodge. Now that is an excellent way to humble onself as a runner.
We then headed off to experience a market in a village quite a drive up into the mountains. Here all resident villagers gather each week to purchase or trade food, pigs, cows, and other goods. This collective
of Andean villages houses the original" people of this area who continue to uphold their ancestors traditional way of life. (I took some great pics - look forward to sharing those when I return). From
the market at 14,000 feet we had rich views of the surrounding hills of crops and dwellings.
We then headed to Marco´s home in Riobamba as we were invited to lunch with his family - apparently quite a priviledge. Marco´s home and surrounding property are something out
of ´life of the rich and famous in Ecuador´. His ranch-spanish style home looks like more of a stylish museum of climbing, Incan and Catholic religious artifacts. Stunning at minimum.
But the best of it was our conversation with his wife and daughter. We discussed America and the coming election, sports, and womens
status in both Ecuador and America.
We also got the best compliment I´ve gotten to date from a foreigner who interacts quite a bit with tourists. Ximena, Marco´s wife, said that we seemed incredibly matter of fact and accepting of the ways of 3rd world Ecuador. She said that most people criticize and dissect the ways of the Ecuadorian people rather than take them at face value, as we did. I told her that having traveled extensively, one either learns to observe and accept or,take on the angst of the worlds problems. i prefer the former as it is a much richer means of truly "seeing" another culture.
Opening to the ways of others also allows us to come home and feel genuine priviledge for all we have. And though we don´t think we do - belive me - we have oodles.
more tomorrow before we head to the Amazon.
xoxo
terri
posted by schneider at 2:43 PM
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