by elizabeth | February 27th, 2010
Today our friends Mary, Eduardo, and Jenny took Jesse and me to the natural hot springs (Las Termas) in Papallacta, about an hour’s drive outside of Quito. After a long week of teaching non-stop, we were ready for a break!
We drove out through Lord Of The Rings-style scenery, jaws agape. Quito is at about 9,000 feet above sea level, but we climbed and climbed further into these stunning mountains to the East, passing slow-moving trucks and wayward cows (that’s Jesse chasing one below…).
We continue to notice that Ecuadorians use every centimeter of available space on hillsides… and adding to the portfolio today were vegetable fields at 45 degree angles reaching high above us. Wow!
After a relaxing morning in the hot springs, we stopped at a “sport fishing” restaurant (called Sierra Del Virgen or something similar) to catch fish for our lunch. I caught the first one, but Jesse won 4 fish to my 3. Apparently there is a tradition to kiss your first catch… eew!
Waiting for our catch to be cooked and warming our wet heads by the fireplace, I started to notice the music playing in the restaurant. Here’s the set list:
- I’ll Be Loving You Forever (New Kids On The Block)
- ??? (Milli Vanilli)
- I’ll Never Stop Loving You (Michael Jackson)
(Did you know that there is a futbol player here called Michael Jackson Quinonez?!)
- You’re My Inspiration (Peter Cetera, right?)
- Forever and Ever (???)
- I’ll Make Love to You (Boyz II Men)
- I Just Called to Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)
- Summer Breeze (Cat Stevens)
- Torn Between Two Lovers (???)
- We’re in Heaven (Bryan Adams, right?)
- Tell it to me one more time (???)
- You’ve Got a Friend (Carole King)
- Lemon Tree (Fool’s Garden)
- We Are the World (1980s version)
What year is it?!
