Ecuador is heads above the other countries we have visited so far. Orderly, friendly and cleanliness seems to be the order of the day. There have been very few animals being used as pack animals. There are far fewer small motorcycles. Could it be because the price of gasoline is $1.48 a gallon for regular and $2.00 a gallon for premium grade. Best of all, diesel is $1.03 a gallon. This presents its own problems since most of the vehicles are diesel powered and air pollution is awful. Every night our faces and the insides of our ears are coated with black soot.
The landscapes of Ecuador are breathtaking. We spent much of our riding above 10,000 feet and topped 11,890 feet for our highest point so far.
Ecuador is by far the least expensive place we have visited. Most meals have been around three to four dollars each. Our first night we paid $12.00 for a room with two beds and the last night we paid $8.00 each for single rooms. We did have to pay tolls, but at $0.20 a bike it hardly seemed worth the effort. We did enjoy riding the excellent roads from north to south of the country with only rough pavement the last 100 miles.
From Cuenca, south we observed most of the inhabitants wearing what we considered native dress. This would be heavy woolen clothing – brightly colored for the women - and fedoras for everyone.
We stopped for a break where we met James from Decatur Georgia who is three months into a twenty-four month Peace Corps tour helping a remote Ecuadoran village to maintain the quality of their water system. He seemed lonely and wanted someone to spend time with someone he could relate to.
Today we crossed into Peru – another one and a half hours spent at the border, but not difficult.
Initial observations of Peru.
We have taken a large step back in time.
Trash is everywhere.
Things are going to be more expensive here. Gasoline is $40 to $5.00 a gallon. Tonight’s meal was $20.00 but different for a change – no rice!
We rode the deserts of Northern Peru, and existence there is bleak at best. Most homes are made of mud bricks or brush and limbs sometimes coated with mud. Seems the only paint is provided by political parties or candidates.
The landscapes of Ecuador are breathtaking. We spent much of our riding above 10,000 feet and topped 11,890 feet for our highest point so far.
Ecuador is by far the least expensive place we have visited. Most meals have been around three to four dollars each. Our first night we paid $12.00 for a room with two beds and the last night we paid $8.00 each for single rooms. We did have to pay tolls, but at $0.20 a bike it hardly seemed worth the effort. We did enjoy riding the excellent roads from north to south of the country with only rough pavement the last 100 miles.
From Cuenca, south we observed most of the inhabitants wearing what we considered native dress. This would be heavy woolen clothing – brightly colored for the women - and fedoras for everyone.
We stopped for a break where we met James from Decatur Georgia who is three months into a twenty-four month Peace Corps tour helping a remote Ecuadoran village to maintain the quality of their water system. He seemed lonely and wanted someone to spend time with someone he could relate to.
Today we crossed into Peru – another one and a half hours spent at the border, but not difficult.
Initial observations of Peru.
We have taken a large step back in time.
Trash is everywhere.Things are going to be more expensive here. Gasoline is $40 to $5.00 a gallon. Tonight’s meal was $20.00 but different for a change – no rice!
We rode the deserts of Northern Peru, and existence there is bleak at best. Most homes are made of mud bricks or brush and limbs sometimes coated with mud. Seems the only paint is provided by political parties or candidates.
The last fifty miles of riding was through a desert wind that we estimated at between 30 and 35 mph.We are spending the night in Chiclayo which is a large vibrant city. It is so much in contrast to the country just north of here that it is hard to fathom they are in the same country.
Three-wheeled taxis are everywhere and we are sure they will be the death of us in this country.
For the followers of this blog, please allow me a personal moment and comment. I have just been informed that Phil Coffman, a good friend of our family from our church has terminal cancer. Phil, this news has saddened my day and you are in my prayers. Thank you so much for being such a good friend to my grandson and to me. My God’s speed go with you my friend. Gary
I have alerted the Vargas family that you will be in Lima on Monday. Have fun. BB
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