Ingapirca and on to Cuenca [Travelblog]
Aug. 14th, 2006 02:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beelikejMy back is still sort of broken from the ride on the train, but as long as I take it easy I'll survive. I buy food in a small supermarket and after asking some directions I find the neighbourhoodbus to Incapirca. After a short ride I'm dropped off in the middle of the village around 10.30 a.m. From there it's about a 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) walk uphill. I already see the ruines and it's an easy road. I can leave my backpack at the museum and guide Danny is included in the entrance-fee ($6:-). We're ready to start when a tourbus drops off a group of Dutch tourists with their guide. Sigh.
Don't get me wrong: I love to share this interesting Inca-site, but WHY don't people read up before they travel to another country? Seriously: get some information on the history of the place you visit, please. Show some interest. Apparently it's too much to ask for all-in travelers, since they don't have to think for themselves. (I've had the same experience in South Africa) GRRR. For the most part I manage to ignore the annoying stupidity of my countrymen and women and concentrate on Danny's fascinating explanations. I try to consider it an extra bonus that I hear everything thrice: in English (Danny to the group), Spanish (Danny's supersecret additional information to the tourguide) and Dutch (tourguide to the group).
After the very thorough tour around the ruines I also do a little hike in the surrounding area: it's beautiful.
I have some time to buy souvenirs before the -daily- express bus to Cuenca leaves from the front of the museum.
On the road I construct a theory: the rhytm of the music on the bus is inversely proportional with the speed of the busdriver (or vice versa;). This ride starts with disco and ends with salsa. It's quite a change from the Ecuadorian ballads I've heard so far and strangely enough very relaxing;-)
I arrive in Cuenca -the third largest city of Ecuador- at 3.30 p.m. and decide to stay for two nights. That way I have all day tomorrow to discover the town. My back also thinks it's a good idea to not have to run to catch transport to the next town;) My hotel is right behind the big new cathedral and it's the perfect location to walk from there to all the interesting places in Cuenca.
In the evening I have diner in a fancy restaurant (Raymipampa). After I practise my spanish with a very assertively explanation how I don't wish to eat in the smoking-section upstairs, I get a very good seat on the groundfloor. I choose Crepe con Carne: a delicious (thin) pancake with loads of meat. Yum.
At night I spend a lot of time under the best shower I've ever encountered on my journeys and treat my back to a hotwatermassage. It's getting better, but not fast enough to my liking. I do enjoy the shower immensely though:)
Next day: Cuenca
Pictures week 3
Don't get me wrong: I love to share this interesting Inca-site, but WHY don't people read up before they travel to another country? Seriously: get some information on the history of the place you visit, please. Show some interest. Apparently it's too much to ask for all-in travelers, since they don't have to think for themselves. (I've had the same experience in South Africa) GRRR. For the most part I manage to ignore the annoying stupidity of my countrymen and women and concentrate on Danny's fascinating explanations. I try to consider it an extra bonus that I hear everything thrice: in English (Danny to the group), Spanish (Danny's supersecret additional information to the tourguide) and Dutch (tourguide to the group).
After the very thorough tour around the ruines I also do a little hike in the surrounding area: it's beautiful.
I have some time to buy souvenirs before the -daily- express bus to Cuenca leaves from the front of the museum.
On the road I construct a theory: the rhytm of the music on the bus is inversely proportional with the speed of the busdriver (or vice versa;). This ride starts with disco and ends with salsa. It's quite a change from the Ecuadorian ballads I've heard so far and strangely enough very relaxing;-)
I arrive in Cuenca -the third largest city of Ecuador- at 3.30 p.m. and decide to stay for two nights. That way I have all day tomorrow to discover the town. My back also thinks it's a good idea to not have to run to catch transport to the next town;) My hotel is right behind the big new cathedral and it's the perfect location to walk from there to all the interesting places in Cuenca.
In the evening I have diner in a fancy restaurant (Raymipampa). After I practise my spanish with a very assertively explanation how I don't wish to eat in the smoking-section upstairs, I get a very good seat on the groundfloor. I choose Crepe con Carne: a delicious (thin) pancake with loads of meat. Yum.
At night I spend a lot of time under the best shower I've ever encountered on my journeys and treat my back to a hotwatermassage. It's getting better, but not fast enough to my liking. I do enjoy the shower immensely though:)
Next day: Cuenca
Pictures week 3