Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Vilcabamba


I have found a small sanctuary close to the Andes montains near the border of Peru. While ready to leave Ecuador, I was told of a place that has a rich history of people living to ripe old ages. Unfortunatly, like many other places of such unique beauty, it is beginning to be touched by the rest of the world. The days of people living to be 137, to be exact, may be over here but real beauty still exists.
While preparing to leave Dario´s company I met his father in law Julien. He really sold me on visiting this destination of such beauty and relaxation that it would have been a sin not to see. Julien offered me to stay in his future retirement home that has a beautiful view from his terazza Every morning I swing open the doors to his 150 year old cottage to view a landscape of mountains and greenery that must have been created by a higher power. Welcoming the day in such a place is encapturing, and I am already feeling his warning that I will not want to leave. Like everywhere else in Ecuador the people are welcoming, maybe even more so here in such a small place. In light of the feeling here, I will stay for the week. Tomorrow I am renting a horse to ride up to these beautiful waterfalls that I was told to view. The four hour ride will likely cost maybe 10$. I can not wait to post the pics that I have taken!