I finally managed to catch a flight to Loja – even thought it got cancelled cause I hadn’t confirm it and luckily got the last available seat at the airport – then a bus to Vilcabamba, also known as the “Valley of Longevity”.

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Well, it rained almost all day and I didn’t stop by enough time to meet any centurial dweller but here I got some office workers in their 40s:

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I spent the following 2 days jumping from bus to truck to taxi. And waiting, lots, checking my hair growth:

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and annoying the locals with my picture taking. Many refused. The problem is when the first one says no, that’s it, everyone around says no. Later on somebody told me that they refused cause they thought I was going to ask for money. Odd. traduci >>

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This is quite a modern city and not as traditional looking as I was expecting it to be but its position among the mountains at 2800m of altitude is just stunning.

I wasn’t planning to stay 3 days here but when the taxi I had booked to go to the airport and try to buy a ticket for the 8am flight to Loja didn’t turn up I decided to let the events “lead the journey” and stay in Quito till Monday. So yesterday I got the chance to have a haircut. Hair and beard are all gone now! The hair dresser also hoovered my head in the end! That’s exclusive! After that, as I was walking down the street a woman approached me from behind and told me I was full of something – not sure what she said exactly but “mierda” could be an option. I knew I was about to have my stuff nicked or something so, without stopping I swiftly inverted direction and got out from the crowd around me. When the nearest person was at 50m from me I checked my back. Jumper, trousers, camera bag and backpack were covered with some disgusting stuff and even though I don’t like it, I want to believe it was mustard.

Off to Loja then Vilcabamba in the morning if the taxi turns up this time. Otherwise I’ll have to dig out my poncho if I want to go around Quito again. traduci >>

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