Adios green Ecuador, another earthquake + a bruised ass

Hi everybody!
Brel and I are sitting here, typing away in an internet cafe (in Loja, Ecuador), trying to kill some time as we are taking an overnight bus from Ecuador to Peru. That's it, our one month journey in Ecuador is over and it has been amazing. Lots of green, mountains (a n'en plus finir), valleys, all kinds of clouds and the most incredible skies I have seen ...

The past week has been pretty mellow. After the jungle, we headed for Baños... A pretty touristy place (I think over rated) with lots of hostals, tour agencies and restaurants ... From there we headed to Riobamba to take the most amazing train ride in Peru. We had the chance to glide through gorgeous landscapes but not sure if it was worth the 2 day wait... Then, Cuenca, the most gorgeous city in Ecuador ... a nice colonial city but a little too mellow for my taste. Was in the mood for some cultural action, exhibitions, music ... the place was dead. But we were in a hostal with kitchen access and it was soooooo nice to cook and do dishes (I know, it sounds weird but after a month and a half ...). Then we headed to Loja and Vilcabamba famous for its inhabitants who just don't seem to kick the bucket, or pass in the towel .... and yes, we did see lots of old people and stayed in a big empty hostal. Weird place, weird atmosphere.

And to make it all weirder, we were woken up in the middle of the night by our jumping bed. Yes, our bed started jumping and jumping. And no, it was not due to the guests in the room upstairs (as I already told you the hostal was EMPTY) but an EARTHQUAKE. Yes, another one and it has been said that the epicenter was in Peru. Shit, we're crossing the border TONIGHT! I fell asleep again and in the morning told Brel that I dreamed we were in an earthquake. Then I started wondering if it had actually happened... and I asked another guy if it was dream or if it actually happened and he wanted to ask me the exact same thing. It was 6 point something and apparently everyone felt it here and many people ran out of their homes...

Anyways, Brel and I and Ofer (our friend from Israel) went on a 4 hour horse ride. Once again, the views were spectacular but I swear I will never do it again!!! I haven't had the time to check yet but I am sure that my ass and inner thighs are covered in bruises, if not blisters. Ouch!!!! and I have a 8 hour bus ride (bumpy for sure) waiting for me ....

For all those of you sleeping in a comfortable bed tonight, sweet dreams.
Patsy and Brel; border crossers.