In my head I had a very poetic way to describe how I feel about the changing landscape of Ecuador, but that was maybe over 6 months again and if I don't write about it now I don't think I'll ever will.
I believe it was after my epic journey from Sua to Vilcamamba (close to the border of Peru) that I had this insight. For those who don't know that journey spans the length of the country pretty much. You see it all. Although the journey was seeming eternal, I was amazed at how beautiful Ecuador really is.
You pass through towns and wonder about the lives of the people perched outside of tiendas and restaura
nts. You see kids playing with dogs and friends greeting each other. On this journey I saw the plush green vegetation that give Esmeraldas it's name, to the awe inspiring mountains of the Sierra region to the clean waters that run through the Loja region.Even the snacks change. At the start of my journey the vendors would get on the bus selling empanadas de verde (empanadas made from plantains) to habas, a bean that is more popular in the Sierra to items I wasn't even familiar with when we got down to the Loja region. Same country different snacks!
Being in an airplane at night I'm always in awe at how vast the starry lit sky can be, thinking only in a plane in the air could you have feel that sensation, but I tell you I had the same experience looking up at the sky, seeing all pitch black and what seemed to be glitter in the heavens as my bus winded through the mountains leaving Vilcabamba.
If you are going to have a 14 hour bus ride ahead of you, be sure it's in Ecuador, you'll never get bored and the beauty (and available comida) is unceasing.
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