We`ve picked up the pace a bit. After several bus, taxi and collectivo rides, some walking and dragging suitcases, and standing in Migracion lines, we´re now in Otavalo, Ecuador, north of Quito a bit. Expecting a lot of new pics in the next few days, here´s some catching up.
The slash across the ridge is the Panam highway in Columbia. Never have seen so many ridges and canyons - hours and hours of them, all pretty spectacular.
Laguna de la Cocha, near Pasto in S. Columbia.
Lanchas to take one to the National Park Island in L de la C. Note the Swiss style chalets - that´s to attract tourists.
D on the island.
Wierdest place for a church? The V. Mary appeared on a rock in this canyon and so they - what else? - built a church on the spot, now called Santuario de Lajas - very near Ipiales, our last stop in Colombia, almost on the border.
Close-up of the church - note the workers hanging half way down the bridge pillar.
The altar. Mary is now covered in gold.
Gallery of Luiz Potosi - famous Ecuadorian wood carver - in San Antonio de Ibarra. He really sculpts the wood, using modern, traditional, indigenous and whatever styles. Shortly after we peered into his locked shop he came running from lunch - still chewing. Very nice guy for someone who creates wonderful art that is valued all over the world. Regretably we didn´t have room in our luggage for a piece we could afford and couldn´t afford one that would warrant shipment.
One of the many other carvers in S. A. de Ibarra - this guy putting finishing touches on a chain saw piece.
Coolest playground slide ever? Meant to be a colibri, I believe.
One of the lobbies in our $42/night hotel in Otavalo. I still think Dana got the price wrong, but like the place too much to push the point. We´re going to take in a huge indigenous craft market tomorrow, followed by some interesting excursions.
The slash across the ridge is the Panam highway in Columbia. Never have seen so many ridges and canyons - hours and hours of them, all pretty spectacular.
Laguna de la Cocha, near Pasto in S. Columbia.
Lanchas to take one to the National Park Island in L de la C. Note the Swiss style chalets - that´s to attract tourists.
D on the island.
Wierdest place for a church? The V. Mary appeared on a rock in this canyon and so they - what else? - built a church on the spot, now called Santuario de Lajas - very near Ipiales, our last stop in Colombia, almost on the border.
Close-up of the church - note the workers hanging half way down the bridge pillar.
The altar. Mary is now covered in gold.
Gallery of Luiz Potosi - famous Ecuadorian wood carver - in San Antonio de Ibarra. He really sculpts the wood, using modern, traditional, indigenous and whatever styles. Shortly after we peered into his locked shop he came running from lunch - still chewing. Very nice guy for someone who creates wonderful art that is valued all over the world. Regretably we didn´t have room in our luggage for a piece we could afford and couldn´t afford one that would warrant shipment. 
One of the many other carvers in S. A. de Ibarra - this guy putting finishing touches on a chain saw piece.
Coolest playground slide ever? Meant to be a colibri, I believe.
One of the lobbies in our $42/night hotel in Otavalo. I still think Dana got the price wrong, but like the place too much to push the point. We´re going to take in a huge indigenous craft market tomorrow, followed by some interesting excursions.
Anybody tried to talk politics with you in Ecuador? Specifically Rafael Correa and whether his policies are anti-US . . . his foreign policy is kind of an enigma. At times very anti-American, at other times nothing like his buddy Hugo in Caracas . . .
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