It didn't occur to me till yesterday that I settled in to a little town that sits at better than 8,000 feet altitude. All the reading I had done and the chats I've had with friends who have been here to Cotacachi cautioned about the possible effects of the high altitude. I was prepared for the worst having bags of tea available that were given to me specifically for treating altitude sickness and also armed with the name of a medication that would make it all better. Having walked this town extensively now, spending many hours touring, I realized this morning that being way up high in the Andes has had no effect on me. None. Then again my appetite is way off. Don't think it's because of the altitude.
We are in the middle of the cool season here which goes from December to April. It's jacket weather. 68 degrees for the high daytime and in the 50s at night. I don't think it's too cool for my friend Gloria. If it is, there's tons of beautiful jackets and sweaters and gloves and anything else that might help. This really is a shoppers heaven and I think one day I may sport a leather jacket. They have my size!
I've met a number of Gringos, all friendly and helpful, but yesterday was a banner day. Dennis and Priscilla live here and own an apartment and also one for rent. These folks are from North Kingston, Rhode Island. How cool is that? They took me on an insider's tour of the town and then asked me over to their apt. complex. I could live there today, it's that nice. They live on the fourth floor and have a beautiful place with a rooftop patio overlooking two volcanoes and the town.
The four building complex is very secure, mostly gringos and has spectacular gardens. It is one half block from leather street and actually on the edge of town. Very, very convenient for someone that does not want to own another car.
Went to my favorite breakfast place and encountered the "fly" guy for the second time. He's my buddy Jimito in another form. This fellow, Bob, wanders into the restaurant, walks to the back, grabs a fly swatter, walks around and kills a couple of flies and then leaves. Nope, no breakfast and no hellos to anyone. Jimito is not the only one in this world that hunts down those little critters. There are no bugs in Cotacachi. Only the occasional house fly, but nothing else. Not an ant, no bees, nothing. Fewer dogs than in Grecia, but they are common.
Met another couple, from Alabama, and the wife was treated twice here at the hospital and was charged nothing. They were impressed with the cleanliness and the attentive staff.
Today is an easy day. I've been walking so much, more than I would in a month, and I'm tired. I still have a lot to do so I've decided to rest on St. Paddy's Day. However there are a number of bars having SPD celebrations later today and I'm not against tossing a couple.
What I've learned:
- Cotacachi is what Grecia probably was fifteen to twenty years ago.
- Not much traffic, regular buses, not many motor cycles. The picture
below is on a Sunday morning at about 8 AM.
Found chicken and hamburg all shrink wrapped in styro containers.
- People, including construction workers, are very neatly dressed,
many in indigenous garb. Yes Jake, cowboy stuff is available too...
- Most I've spent on a meal is $6 and that's because I had two batidos.
- It's still weird spending American Dollars.
- My bad Spannish works well in Cotacachi.
Cotacachi as of 3/18: 9 out of 10
