Trail above Banos

Banos town

Last week was a short week at School, Friday being a day off.  The School principal and her husband invited us on a hike above Banos.  Banos is a resort town about an hour from Shell.  It lies deep in the surrounding mountains and is shadowed by the ever threatening volcano Tungurahua.  As we walked the damp wooded trail, we commented to each other about the lack of mosquitos, black flies and other insects.  This is one of the contrasts to Canada that we are very aware of.  The  goal on this hike was 'La Virgen', a statue high above the town.  Our approach was from the side of the monument and after a short rest and viewing of the surrounding vista, we began our descent to the town.  654 steps and some sloping streets brought us to a lovely restaurant and delicious lunch near a waterfall.

654 steps

After lunch we wandered the streets of the town centre, enjoying the sights and sounds of the artisan market and the beauty of the surrounding mountains.

Earlier in the week we had supper in Puyo with 5 missionary wives and their children.  All of the women were single parents at that moment, as their husbands were away attending conferences, meetings or other business of their mission assignment.  We have become more aware of the specific needs and support the missionary families require since we have been here.  Many times the families are left behind as one parent or another must travel and be away for extended times in the course of their duties.  The supper out was a kind of support gathering for the women, Garth was the token male, and we enjoyed the ultimate snack food of Puyo.  The restaurant served only one dish called Volquetero, which loosely translates to Dump Truck.  It consists of large portions of chochos (bean), tostados (toasted corn), chifles (plantain chips), diced red onion and tomato and topped with a can of tuna.  You season with lime juice or aji (hot sauce) to taste.  Eaten with a spoon, it is very tasty and filling.  We shared a grande order and left some behind...a pequeno order would have been enough for both of us!