Walk through the Clouds to the Moon’s Throne

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The “Moon’s Throne” or “Cotopaxi” in the ancient tongue, is the name given both to the world’s most active volcano and to the national park where it is found. It is the name of a unique place, where the beauty of nature surrounds you and fills you up with a feeling of greatness. A place where Heaven seems closer to Earth, where every landscape gets together to form –right in the middle of Ecuador– one of the most beautiful natural sanctuaries.

The journey begins going south from the city of Quito, or north from the cities of Ambato and Latacunga. Travelling through a road full of impressive landscapes, we get to the entrance of the park, at 3500m (11482 feet) above the sea level. A little handcraft market welcomes us. It is a place full of contrasts where volcanic soil predominates and where the great Cotopaxi rises at 5789m (18992ft)a.s.l. The first part of the road takes us up and down through volcanic formations, with the photogenic Cotopaxi decorating the landscape. It sometimes hides behind the clouds, as if it acted accordingly to the inhabitants’ mood.

The first stop is at an area called Mariscal Sucre, where a 20-30-minute walk takes us to impressive sightseeing spots as we go through South America’s largest pine tree forest and the only one of its kind within the Andean region. A museum found at the entrance of this area gives us some information about the park, its rules and its conservation.

Fifteen minutes going northeast from Mariscal Sucre is found the Limpiopungo Lake, at 3850m (12631ft)a.s.l., reflecting the Rumiñahui (stone face) volcano. Here, the power of Nature can be felt everywhere: the strong, cold wind forces you to make a greater effort to walk while he plays with the golden grass and the transparent waters of the lake; the sun shines even more intensely; the clouds get even closer; and the fauna mostly composed of native bird species seem to enjoy permanently this magical scene. This section of the road splits up into two pathways:

The northwest path will take you –either by foot, horseback or bike– to the peak of the Rumiñahui volcano, found at 4722m (15492ft) above the sea level. From the peak, you are able to see the Cotopaxi volcano. It is, overall, a wonderful experience.

On the other hand, the southeast way is an ascending road surrounded by volcanic landscapes that takes you to the colossal Cotopaxi. Strong winds, low-hanging clouds, light rains and some sunlight are expected throughout this route. On the first stop, found at 4500m (14763ft)a.s.l., cars must be parked and visitors may enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while admiring the beauty of nature. Afterwards, visitors may decide to have a 45-minute walk to the next stop, José F. Ribas, found at 4800m (15748ft)a.s.l. Those with climbing experience can also go up to the white, shiny peak of the Cotopaxi.

The Cotopaxi volcano welcomes visitors from everywhere who want to go back to the world’s origins, to a place where men and nature coexist peacefully. This biologically and culturally outstanding place is waiting for you, enjoy it!

Photo: Gerard Prins

Huairasinchi: One of the World’s Greatest Adventure Races

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Huairasinchi means “the wind’s force” in the ancient Quichua tongue. It is the name given to one of the World’s toughest adventure race that takes place at some of Ecuador’s most amazing spots. It is a three-day long race where the contestant teams from all around the World go beyond their limits and struggle with all their strength to complete the route through different sport disciplines such as mountain bike riding, trail running, paddling and fixed ropes; and good orientation skills.

Each year, this adventure competition takes the teams through remote places full of friendly people, historical richness and natural beauty. This year on its 7th edition, from February 13th to 15th, the 2010 Huairasinchi Race took place at the provinces of Carchi and Imbabura. The route was carefully planned to take the teams through magical places such as the Cuicocha and Yaguarcocha lakes, the humid forest of Apuela, the Piñan and Ángel plateaus, the Guadual area and the Chota Valley, among others. As the race is part of the “AR World Series”, the winners will get a place at the Bimbache Extreme in Spain, a race that gathers the champions from all the different AR races taking place at Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, France, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the US.

Jari Kirkland, member of the 2006 Huairasinchi winning team, talking about his experience at the race said: “The view, the scenery and everything else far exceeded my expectations. I honestly believe it could be the most beautiful country. It’s not very big and yet you have many different things so close from one another. We walked in the jungle yesterday and, a couple of hours later, we were already in the hills and mountains.” Considering that statement, we can tell that the Huairasinchi is much more than an adventure race. This race is a way of living that shows how to reach goals, going beyond physical and mental limits and learning to respect and protect nature.

Photo: Jonathan Thorne and Hjvannes

YASUNI ITT: A Big Idea from a Small Country… will the world respond?

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The best things in life do come in small packages, and such is the case of an idea that came from a little package: a country called Ecuador. As some may already know, Ecuador’s economy depends directly on oil resources whose gains are then invested on health, education and housing. This is the reason why, even though the planet is experiencing a climate crisis, the Ecuadorian and worldwide oil industry are expanding to new frontiers.

One of these oil industry’s new horizon is located in the heart of the Amazon basin: the Yasuni Forest. Declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1999, Yasuni is the most biologically diverse place on earth, with 13.000 species of mammals, amphibious, reptiles, birds and fish; and more than 100.000 species of insects. Just one hectare of this forest has as many as 655 tree species, more than what the United States and Canada combined have.

The Yasuni forest is also home to some of the last indigenous people still living in voluntary isolation. These people are now waiting for a miracle for the deforestation to stop, since they happen to live above Ecuador’s largest undeveloped oil reserve: the “Ishpingo-Tambococha-Tiputini“(ITT) Oil Block. This block contains 20% of all the oil reserves in Ecuador (850 million barrels), representing 407 million metric tons of CO₂ to the atmosphere, a 7 billion dollars gain and an extra 7.2 billion dollar for the carbon market.



Two decades ago, the Yasuni forest got considerably reduced from 1.476.000 hectares to only 625.000 due to the pressure of the oil companies, so the Ecuador government is facing now a huge dilemma: should it keep deforesting the reserve and drill for the oil, which would provide the country with the economic sources it needs to develop; or should it help preserve the environment by not deforesting the world’s biggest ecological reserve? Looking for the best possible solution, the Ecuadorian government came up with a revolutionary idea and started to contribute to this race for life: “The Yasuní ITT Project”.

The idea is quite simple: The government will leave the Yasuní oil underground and request, as a compensation for having avoided environmental pollution, a 50% of what the Country would have gained if the area had been exploited ($350 million a year) for a period of 10 years, giving up the rest of the gains.

To better understand the foundations of this project, it’s essential to know that there is something called the “Carbon Market”, regulated by the Kyoto Protocol. The program has created First and Second Generation bonds (G1 and G2) to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. The G1 bonds are given to companies with environment generating practices, while the G2 bonds are given to the companies that reduce their deforestation and pollution levels. These bonds are placed into the Carbon Market so that the companies with environment polluting practices can buy them. Depending on the amount of bonds they buy, these companies are allowed to pollute the environment.



Yasuní-ITT from Santiago del Hierro on Vimeo.

All these been said, Ecuador’s Yasuní ITT Proyect is proposing the European Union to place into the Carbon Market bonds called “Yasuní Certificates of Guaranty (CGY)”, that would be Third Generation bonds given to countries that avoid or prevent environmental pollution, something that would keep millions of tons of CO₂ from being emitted to the atmosphere. The money raised from these “green bonds” would be placed into an international trust foundation to support local environmental and social development programs that would help Ecuador move towards a sustainable economy, while preserving the rainforest and recognizing the rights of the indigenous communities in Yasuní. This preventive model is the Ecuadorian’s major initiative to become supporters and contributors to the preservation of the planet.

From 2007 until today, this historical initiative has been supported by the Medicine laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and several Nobel Peace Prices such as Muhamad Yunus, Desmond Tutu, Rigoberta Menchú; as well as by various countries such as France, Germany, Norway, Spain and Switzerland. If the plan succeeds, it could even become a worldwide accepted model.

With the current Kyoto Protocol model resulting in global emissions 40 percent above the ones registered in 1990 (the basis year), this is an alternative that has already being considered as effective not only for Ecuador, but for countries with similar conditions such as Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Congo and Venezuela.

For Ecuador’s plan to succeed, the international community has to get engaged with the initiative in a significant way. Will the world respond? Perhaps the following letter, written by a Yasuní native to the former Ecuadorian president, back in 1995, could motivate the countries provide an answer:

"What will happen when our children grow up?
Where will they live when they are older? 
Our rivers are peaceful and in our forests we find the food, the medicines and everything that we need.
What will happen when the oil companies finish destroying what we have?" 

More Information on:
•    www.yasuni-itt.gov.ec
•    www.liveyasuni.org
•    www.sosyasuni.org
•    www.amazoniaporlavida.org

Photo: Yasuni ITT

The Colta Lake: Natural Beauty among Conquests and Ruins

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In the Pan-American Highway, 17km (10 miles) south of Riobamba, among beautiful landscapes where green and blue tones predominate, we get to a place full of history, culture and natural beauty. A place inhabited by friendly people who live among hills and volcanoes. Its name is Colta, an extraordinary spot that, seen from the highway, could be described as a big, crystal clear lake that beautifully reflects Ecuador’s highest volcano; and in whose shores the country’s oldest village was erected. It is a perfect mix of Nature and History what makes this place magical.

To get to the lake’s shores, the road goes another 2km (1 mile) forward. Before arriving to the village we find the ruins of what once was the city of Riobamba —currently known as Cajabamba or Sicalpa— destroyed during the Colonial period (1797) by a big earthquake that took the life of 5000 people. The remains are those of their streets, their temples and their handcrafts. Arriving to the place, the big cracks caused by the earthquake can still be observed at the hills.

Going a little further in the way to the village (or taking the alternative road, right beside the lake, aboard the train that goes to the “Devil’s Nose”) we find the Colta Lake. In the indigenous language, the lake is called kulta kucha, which means “Duck’s Lake”. Here, the senses are awakened by a colorful parade: the indigenes navigating in their “Caballitos de Totora” (reed watercrafts), the wildlife, the multicolor little houses, the animals, the kids playing, and the great Chimborazo volcano… They are all part of the autumn-like landscape of this historical lake.

At the end of the road and facing the lake, we find the population known as “Santiago de Quito”, name whose similarity to that of Ecuador’s capital, San Francisco de Quito, is not just a coincidence. In 1534, with the arrival of the conquistadors to the land that is nowadays the country of Ecuador; the Colta area was designated as the place to build the capital of the region, since the lake would provide water for the village. The area received the name of “Santiago de Quito”. Later on, the place was subject of confrontations between the conquistadors. To prevent more fights, the capital was moved further to the North. Even as time went by, the settlement found at the shores of the Colta Lake is still known as Santiago de Quito. The village’s parish, called the Balbanera, is the first Catholic Church ever built in Ecuador, and it was erected more than 475 years ago.

Colonial ruins, spectacular landscapes and the history of the beginnings of the Republic is what visitors will find at this magical, edifying place. The Colta Lake and the Santiago de Quito Parish have been fitted out so that they support responsible, sustainable and ecological tourism, offering their visitors activities such as hiking, horseback riding, camping, photography, fauna and flora observation, sightseeing, adventure tourism and the amazing indigenous fair that takes place every Sunday.

Photo: Kangrex

Of Love Stories and Preservation of Species

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The kingdom of birds in the Galapagos Islands is always full of surprises. Studying the birds, naturists have observed some behaviors that result very interesting and even funny to us, but the truth is that these behaviors could be compared to those of Men. In this article, you will learn more about the reproductive rituals of the Blue-Footed Booby, the Frigatebird and the Albatross, three unusual birds that inhabit the Galapagos Islands whose unique mating behaviors attract tourists from all around the world.

For the male Blue-Footed Booby, finding a mate can be a complicated task due to the low number of female individuals. The male must start by getting the female’s attention, and the best way to do it is by dancing for her: Standing in front of an interested female, the male shakes his wings, whistles and performs a little dance with his big, blue legs. If the movements are good enough, the young male is ready to take the next step on his struggle to be picked. Once he gets the female’s attention, he has to win her heart with a present. If the female doesn’t like it, she will let him know with a loud squawk, turn her back on him and wait for the next male. Sometimes, when the present is very unpleasant for the female, she will lean down and squirt the male with her feces. Nevertheless, if the present pleases the female, the male will surely be among those who will have a partner for the season.

The female, as it usually happens among all animal species, is the one who picks her partner. This is also the case of the Frigatebird, who searches for the best partner among lots of suitors.  To be picked, the male must first find a good spot in the bushes to alight. Here, the female’s taste in architecture is of great importance, since a poorly-constructed nest will go unnoticed. Once the male has found the best place, he will alight on it, inflate his red chest as much as he can and exhibit it to the female, who will pick the individual with the biggest and reddest chest. They will then mate, passing the best genes to their brood to preserve the species.

Finally, the Albatross’ mating ritual is probably the most longed for and witnessed by tourist, perhaps due to the truly romantic story involving a couple of Albatross. Once he has found a partner, a young adult with stay with her for the rest of his life, and both of them will take care of their chicks until they die. Season by season, from April to December, the couples meet at the Española (Hood) Island, where the love stories begin. The courtship lasts a few days, in which the couples dance before mating, rub their beaks continuously and sing all day long.

To watch these beautiful marine birds of the Galapagos during their mating rituals, visitors must be attentive and silent, and they must have a good camera in hand (no flash). Visitors are welcomed throughout the whole mating season, so join the party and enjoy this wonderful experience!

Photo: Mike Weston

Chocolateland in Ecuador

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Chocolate has certainly become one of the most popular flavors in the world. Countries like Belgium, England, France, Italy and Switzerland have stood out as great chocolate producers. However, since the past 5 years, the eyes of chocolate lovers around the world have also turned to Ecuador.

Despite being a country that provides only a 3% of the world’s total production of cacao –the plant chocolate is made from–, Ecuador happens to be one of the best when it comes to cacao quality and flavor. Ecuador is the world’s number one producer of fine cocoa, with the 63% of the world’s total production.

Ecuador’s fine cocoa, utilized to elaborate chocolate truffles for the Queen of England, has unique secondary flavors that depend directly on the region where the plant has grown, just like it happens with wine. The country has three main spots for the production of high-quality chocolate: the province of Los Rios, that has two well-defined seasons together with volcanic and alluvial terrains and produces a unique, fruit-almond flavored chocolate; the province of Manabí, known for its dry, desert geography that provides a magnificent flower-flavored chocolate with a strong personality; and the province of Esmeraldas, where the most European-like chocolate is produced, due to its resemblance to the African cocoa lands.

This Ecuadorian, 100% organic chocolate is indeed a luxury product. If you have the chance to travel to the coastal region of Ecuador, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a cup of Ecuadorian chocolate made right before your eyes. Watch the cook as he toasts, peels, grinds and melts the cocoa beans to finally pour you a cup of hot, delicious chocolate that will certainly cheer you up. Made from the finest cacao grains once known as “gold beans”, this sweet treat will be a feast to your senses!

Photo: f10n4

31 Miles Along the Royal Inca Trail

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The Royal Inca Trail or “Qhapaq Ñan” is the name of the most extensive and highly advanced transportation system of the pre-Columbian South America, a main road with several branches joining the nations of Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. It is an impressive 23,000km (14.291mi) system of roads built by the Incas, and it connected the northern city of Quito with the south of Chile.

One of the most famous treks of this road is probably the one that goes from the village of Achullapas to the village of Ingapirca, recently called “The Culebrillas Trail”. It is a 50km (31mi) portion of the road that hasn’t changed much in the past five centuries, where the historical characteristics are still conserved. This hike can be done in 2-3 days and follows the original royal road, with altitudes ranging from 3200m to 4500m (10.500 to 14.800ft) above the sea level. At the Andean high lands, perennial rain is expected all along this historical trail that goes through breathtaking landscapes and archeological discoveries.  The original Inca roadways are found here. Some of them got paved with stone, but most of them remain the natural dirt pathways, of 1-4meters (3-13ft) wide.

From start to end, this route unveils five hundred years of history. The starting point, Achullapas, is a place that served as an Inca fortress for the expansion of the empire to the north of the continent. One first gets amazed by the route that goes through the fabulous valley of the Cadrul River, the Las Tres Cruces Lake and the ruins of Cuchishiana, an archeological vestige whose function is still controversial.

Following the road, at 4,350m (14.271ft) high, there is mountainous formation called the Nudo del Azuay or Quimsacruz, that is the highest land point on Ecuador. A certain number of rectangular structures that belonged to a Chasquihuasi (Chasqui House) or a Tambo (a resting place) are found there, as well as big rock mounts called “Apachitas” that evidence the Inca tradition of offering a rock in a propitiatory ritual to continue their trip.

After this point, there are at least two possible pathways to take: The one that goes through the valley of Espindola – not usable during extended rainy periods –, and the shortcut parallel to the Espindola pathway that goes through the top of the valley. This route goes across the Cachapampa plain and the Sontzahuín torrent before arriving to the Culebrillas valley, home of the mystic Culebrillas Lake. To cross the Sontzahuín torrent, there is a wooden footbridge that seems to date back to the Incas period.

The Culebrillas (little snakes) Lake was called this way because of the 800m (2.624 feet) zigzag formation of the river that feeds the lake. Home to a wild duck colony, the lake’s clean and transparent waters were considered sacred by the Cañaris, who used to throw there handcrafted objects and ritual ceramics in commemoration to their ancestors.

The lake features a number of elements that feed its mystery such as a stone stairway that enters the lake 30m (98ft) deep from the river shore; a big stone platform; and a recently discovered construction made from carved stone. At a depth of 4,000m (13.123ft), there is an Inca quarry or “Labrashca Rumi” full of hundreds of carved stones waiting forever to be carried to their destination. At the opposite shore and close to the lake, the old Tambo de Paredones is located. It is an important resting place that served also as a military spot with vast accommodations for the troops and warehouses for goods, arms and clothes.

Past the lake, the road leads to the village of San Jose. It takes about a two hour walk from there until you reach the end of the road at Ingapirca, the biggest Inca complex built in the current Ecuadorian territory.

Nominated by UNESCO for its World Heritage List, the Royal Trails are a meeting point for those who take the chance to travel by foot through this challenging landscape. They are a place of encounter for men and women from different horizons, a place where man faces nature and revives the past. What once was a means of conquest today becomes a symbol of unity between nations and their history.

Photo: afroboof

12 Rules you can’t ignore when going to Galapagos

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The Galapagos Islands are one of the few places in the world that remain relatively untouched by human exploitation. The preservation of the environment is everybody's responsibility. You can help, by following some simple rules which will help to maintain the archipelago's fragile ecosystem intact. The future depends on you. 

1. Because of its unique nature, the plants, animals and rocks should stay on site so that there is no change.  Nothing must be taken away from the Islands, except photos. 

2. Please avoid the introduction of foreign organisms such as animals, seeds, plants and insects as they cause serious problems. 

3. Galapagos animals should not be touched or petted for your safety because they can quickly lose their tameness and change their behavior.

4. The endemic and native fauna of Galapagos has its natural form for feeding.  Therefore, do not give them any type of food because it could harm them.

5. The Galapagos marine birds leave their nests if you disturb or follow them.  They will leave their eggs or chicks alone on the ground or leave them exposed to the sun.  Therefore you may watch the birds at a distance of no less than two meters.

6. Visitors’ sites at the Galapagos National Park are marked to guarantee your safety.  You cannot leave the paths.

7. Garbage of any type interferes with natural processes and takes away the enchantment of the unique Islands scenery. Do not dispose garbage at visitors sites, in the ocean or near the Islands.

8. Please avoid purchasing souvenirs made of flora and fauna of the Islands, like black coral, marine tortoise shells, sea lion teeth or shells. This goes against the principles of conservation.

9. Avoid writing names and phrases of any type on rocks, walls, etc. It is a sign of bad manners and rudeness and damages the scenery.

10. Fire or smoking within Park areas is not allowed as a fire could start with a match or a cigarette that is not put out completely and can cause uncontrollable bushfires, death and destruction.

11. Fishing on board of tourist ships is not permitted.  Please collaborate with the National Park Service by reporting any transgression to the management of the Galapagos National Park.

12. If you want to camp in the authorized sites or do commercial fishing you have to request a permit from the Galapagos National Park Director. Please contact The Galapagos National Park at any of their technical offices located in the inhabited Islands (San Cristobal, Santa Cruz, Isabela or Floreana).

The Galapagos National Park thanks you for respecting these rules.

Source: Galapagos National Park.
Photo: lightmatter

The Volcanoes Land: Passing Through Giants

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When traveling to Ecuador, make sure you include in your plans a 325km (201mi) road called “The Volcanoes Avenue”. This road goes through some of the world’s highest volcanic peaks, many of which are still active. Named by the legendary explorer Alexander Von Humboldt in 1802, this unique natural corridor is formed by eleven volcanoes that emerged on the sides of the Ecuadorian central highlands. It has become one of Ecuador’s main sightseeing destinations, attracting thousands of tourists each year.

Already at the beginning of the trip the landscape variety is overwhelming: one gets surrounded by immense patchwork of fields and enormous pine forest plateaus. The first part of the route goes through the magnificent volcanoes of Pasochoa, Corazon and Illiniza, finally getting to the Rumiñahui volcano, where visitors have the opportunity to climb to the crater either by trekking or on horseback. Once at the top, an astonishing view of the mighty, 5900-meter (19356ft)-high Cotopaxi volcano will take your breath away!

Back on the road, you go through a landscape of low-hanging clouds until reaching the Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador’s most famous park and home of the highest active volcano in the world: the Cotopaxi, nominated for the World’s New Seven Wonders of Nature. Contrary to the Chimborazo Volcano, where you must have more climbing experience, Cotopaxi offers a great climbing opportunity for reasonably in shape novices. There is a good gravel road which winds up the ash-strewn side to a parking area located 4600m (2 miles) away. From here, the physically fit can carefully walk a further distance of 200m (0.12mi) to a refuge from which you can get incredible views – if the altitude and the weather allow!

The route then passes through Baños (baths), a scenic little town named like that after the five natural thermal baths found here. Baños is located in the Tungurahua province, nestled in a valley at the foot of the 5023m (16479ft)-high Tungurahua volcano.

Our Final Destination is Riobamba. This city has quite a unique location. On a clear day, it is possible to see the peaks of five volcanoes: Chimborazo (6310m/20702ft), Altar (5319m/17450ft), Sangay (5230m/17158), Tungurahua (5023m/16479ft) and Carihuairazo (5020m/16469ft) – a magnificent view! Chimborazo, the highest volcano in Ecuador and the furthest point from the center of the Earth (and once thought to be the highest mountain on Earth) is located approx. 50km (31 miles) away from Riobamba.

To better enjoy the environmental beauty of this eco route, activities such as horseback riding, canopy, climbing, trekking and bird watching are offered to visitor, but just the fact to be standing next to these magnificent formations, volcanoes that are higher than you could imagine, will give you a feeling of eternal peace and an unforgivable memory.

Photo: Kilobug

Panama Hats: a world famous Ecuadorian handcraft

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The toquilla Straw hat, better known as “Panama Hat”, has its origins in the Ecuadorian counties of Montecristi  and Jipijapa, both located in the Manabi province. No one knows exactly how long these hats have been woven in Ecuador, but it was certainly some centuries before the Spanish Conquest. The chroniclers of those times narrate that natives wore over their heads a hand split, strange attire similar to vampires’ wings, made from the fibers of a plant that grew wild in a sector of the Ecuadorian coastal region.

There is much more information you might ignore about the Panama hats, so we’ve made a quick list of the 5 most relevant facts about them:

1.       Its original name is “Toquilla Straw Hat”, named after the palm tree straws they are made from.

2.       The “Panama Hat” trade name was created in the mid-1800s by American gold miners who stumbled upon these hats in the Panama markets. Once in the United Estates, the hat quickly became fashionable, and from that day on, it has been misleadingly known as “Panama hat”.

3.       The botanical name of the palm tree used to produce the Panama hat was created in Europe, at the end of the 18th century. Botanist called the palm “carludovica palmata” (from the Latin roots carolus: Carlos; and luduvica: Luisa) in honor to the king Carlos IV and the queen Luisa, who wore the hat as several renowned members of the European royalty did.

4.       The hat reached its popularity during the 18th and 19th century, when it was used by renowned people like Napoleon III and Edward VII. In the 1920s, gangsters adopted the wide brim models still known as the “Al Capone style”, while women preferred the smaller-brim models in a variety of colors to match their dresses. Nowadays the hat is still used by Hollywood starts like Jeff Goldblum and Peter Falk, as well as by some members of the royalty.

5.       The Panama hat is catalogued as one of the world’s three finest hats. A Panama hat of truly fine quality –a "superfino"– can hold water, and when folded for storage, it can pass through a wedding ring.

In Ecuador, this hat has an average cost of $25 to $50, but can fetch more than five times this price depending on the style and the quality. Whether you buy it in Ecuador or internationally, a toquilla Straw Hat represents a stylish accessory that can be worn all year long, in any climate.

Photo: Alex Proimos

Huaorani and Achuar: Ethnic Groups from the Ecuadorian Amazon

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When thinking about the Spanish conquerors’ arrival to the Kingdom of Quito, Ecuador, it is impossible not to imagine how astonished would they have felt by looking at the various social settlements and realizing how different could their culture and customs be, regardless of being separated by very short distances.

This diversity is still found today in Ecuador, a multiethnic and thus multicultural nation that is nowadays home to fourteen ethnic groups, living in more than sixteen communities. Among these indigenous groups we can find the Huaorani and the Achuar, both communities that have stood out as nature’s guardians.

The Huaorani have a population of 4.000 people, located inside the Ecuadorian Amazon basin, in the provinces of Orellana, Pastaza and Napo, which comprised in a 6,125km² (3805sq.mi) area considered by the Ecuador government, since 1990, an untouchable indigenous reserve, thanks to its support and conservation of ethnical customs and beliefs policy. Their reserve overlaps with the Yasuní National Park, one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth, something that provides them some measure of environmental protection and, at the same time, makes them its primary defenders, given their belief of respecting everything that exists.

The Huaorani people are known for taking the decision to live in complete isolation, away from the contemporary world. The forest is their home, and they consider the outside world to be unsafe. Among their beliefs is found that of afterlife. According to them, a person who dies walks a trail to the next life guarded by large python. Those who cannot escape the snake fail to enter the spirits’ domain and return to Earth to become animals. Another Huaorani belief is that deer’s eyes are similar to those of humans, and therefore they shall not hunt and eat them.

Some Good Reasons to Study Spanish in Ecuador

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Just like it happens with the English language, Spanish can present some variations according to the country where it is spoken. The pronunciation, the expressions, as well as the meaning of the words are elements that may change from one country to another. Because of this, Spanish may be easier to learn in certain countries rather than others.

Given these facts, the question arising in your mind now might be “Which is the best country to learn Spanish?” …The answer is Ecuador. Because Ecuadorians are known for their exceptionally clear pronunciation and use of Spanish diction, the Spanish you’ll be learning from an Ecuador native will allow you to be understood in any other Spanish-speaking country. Ecuadorian Spanish is considered one of the easiest to understand in the Spanish-speaking world.

If learning Spanish the easy way isn’t enough, here are some other excellent reasons to make this beautiful South American country the best choice to pursue your language goal:

1.       The Warmth of the People: Ecuadorians are friendly, kind-hearted persons. They enjoy having contact with people from other countries, so you may find them approaching you for conversation on their own initiative. In Ecuador, everyone is a friend.

2.       The Excellent Spanish Language and Culture Schools:  Ecuador has a big number of Spanish language and culture schools where you can learn fast, getting the individual attention you need from the best professional teachers. The students are shown fantastic ways to put learning into practice, and encouraged to speak Spanish while out in the community to be totally immersed in the language.

3.       The Magnificent Surroundings: When you decide to take a break from studying, you won’t get bored. In Ecuador, there’s plenty to see and do. Apart from its towering volcanic peaks, pristine cloud forests and the unique Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is also a home for vibrant indigenous cultures, a place rich in Historic Colonial architecture, Incan archaeological sites and colorful local markets that remain largely unaffected by modernity. Ecuador is a country of diversity and contrasts. It is the only place where you can travel through tropical coasts, mountains and cloud forests within a few hours.

4.       The Travel Easiness: Of all Andean countries, Ecuador is certainly the one in which traveling is easier. Distances are short, infrastructures are acceptable, prices are quite accessible and the spring-like climate goes all year round.

Whether your choice is the captivating city of Quito; or you rather stay at Cuenca, in the heart of Ecuador’s culture; or if you love the beach and decide to take a Spanish and a surf course at the same time in places such as Montañita or Manta… no matter where you choose to study, Ecuador could lead you to the most worthwhile and memorable learning experience of your life.

Photo:  ElGringoLoco