We have been here for a few weeks now and have settled in quite nicely. We made the final trip into Otavalo last Wednesday and picked up the remainder of our things. So very happy me – I have my comfy quilt again!!!!
We left on the 6 am bus, walking up the hill is the dark, enjoying the ever so quiet streets of Apuela. The only other people up were the tea/coffee vender and the meat vender parked beside the bus stop. The sun was beginning to make it’s appearance as we began our journey out of town….
It’s quite a beautiful sight, seeing the sun come up over the mountain, watching the day begin in such an amazing place.
For some reason on this trip I was really nervous, well scared actually. I could not really look out the window to my right, keeping my vision on the passing road to my left instead. For the most part, my side of the bus was against the mountain which was perfect because seeing the drop made me panic. I had to really focus on not letting the whole bus know as the fear began to set in. I couldn’t explain why this morning was so different, but I was truly happy and very relieved when we reached the end of the mountainous drop part of the drive.
We made a stop at Santa Rosa about 20 minutes from Apuela so the driver could buy a lunch and so while we were sitting there with no chance of driving off the cliff, I was able to admire the view and take a picture or two.
Some of these however were taken on the previous two trips. You can see in this one the clouds were coming down the mountain. At times you could not see anything but white in these great chasms. Kind of like being on the ocean, the feeling of going into nothingness.I tried to show how crazy the roads are but it was difficult to get a picture from the side. The terrain changes so quickly as well, one second you have a clear view, the next all you see is trees. Also I find it impossible with just my phone camera to get the dramatic vistas captured. They all seem kind of dull after watching them go by with your eyes. It is seriously the most amazing landscape!!!
Just like a wave rolling in. 
And then the view is gone.
Here you can see the red building just below us – that is where we will be getting to shortly. 
The truck in the distance was on it’s way up to meet us, so we had to make allowance for him to get past. It’s a little hairy because no matter where you are on this road, you are close to a very sharp turn.
Rainbow in the green circle…..
I marvel at the calmness of the people who take this bus, well who drive these roads, nothing seems to phase them. I suppose if you do it all the time, it really is common place. I’m not there yet lol !!
Here again you can see the road below us where we have to get to – the switchback coming up right away. Looking to the other side you can see how high we will be climbing once again.
This is as we are heading into Apuela, with two more dramatic hairpin turns before we make the last leg into the town. The road you see in the distance goes further into the mountains going high enough to view the nesting grounds of the eagles (but we didn’t really see them :))!!! (I went up there today and it is spectacular). I did not take any pictures because I was holding onto Mali so she didn’t swing around too much. It is just a dirt track, single lane all the way as it weaves up the mountain. Where we went was pretty much at the very top of the world…….
Before leaving today, I took out my diary (a going away present from some wonderful people) and read the things they wrote to me. As I sat here in this beautiful place, so far away from everything I know and understand, I was really struck by those kind words written on the pages. Sometimes I feel a bit lost, the path seems shrouded in clouds. I keep reminding myself to trust the spirits that led me here, lose my fear of being lost. For it is not the destination, but the journey there that is of greatest value.
So I have to tell you that kind words do make a great difference. Sometimes we wonder about that I think – they really do uplift and encourage and I feel it is important to let you know this. I am so grateful to you all for the gift of your friendship, for reading my blog and staying with me as I climb these unbelievable vistas looking for the answers. One day I know everything will be clear…..
*** I am however looking forward to getting to a place with more of a flat landscape, maybe some rolling hills….. 🙂
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