COTOPAXI

Hello dear ones, 

Another week has passed, during which I have experienced an incredible amount. Ecuador truly has a lot to offer! 

Last proper Saturday, I hiked up the Cotopaxi volcano with my new friend Linda. 

It was quite an adventure, we started very early and drove with a tour group first to an altitude of 3800 m and then to 4600 m!

The roads were very rough, and the whole bus was shaking. From 4600 m, we then had to climb 300 meters to a hut where hot chocolate was available. The ascent was very tough; four out of our ten-person group stayed behind, and one woman only managed to reach the top with the guide's help. 

The weather did not cooperate. It was icy cold, incredibly windy, and it started to rain :(

It's insane how clearly you notice the lack of oxygen. Your legs feel like lead, and you feel a bit nauseous.

Coca leaves help with that; you chew them and then place them in the cheek between your teeth and cheek. They taste herbal, and only when smoked are they considered a drug :) they promote oxygen absorption in the blood, and you feel the altitude less!

We arrived at the hut and had a traditional hot chocolate made from real cocoa with lots of cinnamon and cloves for $2.5. We had earned that!

Then we went a little higher until we reached 5000 meters.

That was a wonderful feeling, and gradually the weather cleared up as well. 

The descent was much, much faster, but I was really glad when I was sitting in the still bus out of the wind :)

On the way back, we had a delicious lunch, typically soup with popcorn and a main dish of rice and meat. 

It was a fantastic Saturday! I am proud of myself for achieving this and look forward to the next adventures!

Warm volcanic regards, 

Your Paula 🌋