altitude sickness

Well, we made it to Baños today. We had intended to arrive to last night after our trek at Cotopaxi... but I got sick and held up the whole operation. Cotopaxi was amazing! It was gorgeous. It is incredible how many volcanoes there are in Ecuador, but Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world. We made our way slowly up to try to help with altitude, but it was just incredible how difficult it was to fill out lungs with air as we climbed higher. I don't think I've ever been so high. Our major target was at 5,800 meters (?) - a refuge, which serves as the main point of departure for climbers that are going to sumit the volcano. We spent a little bit of time at the refuge and then climbed alittle bit further to the edge of the glaciers. Gorgeous. But we had to take a lot of breaks along the way. I could have spent days up there just taking in the sights. But then we booked it back down and headed back to Latacunga... except that I got sick on the way back... and then proceded to be sick the rest of the night. All worth it, and I think the coca tea probably did help, but here's hoping that's the only time I have to deal with altitude sickness... and Michelle was incredibly patient with the change in travel plans and did a great job getting me Sprite and crackers.:)

So today we arrived in Baños in time for lunch and have had a lovely and leisurely day. Baños is a beautiful little town tucked into the hills/mountains of central Ecuador. It's got a slow pace of life and although it's definitely a tourist destination, it's charming and comfotable. We sat in the plaza, got a pedicure... and have done a whole lot of chilling. I think tonight we will head to one of the hot spring baths on the edge of town and head out for some live music. We will rent bikes tomorrow and head down a trail to a town called Puyo, which is an entrance point to the Ecuadorian jungle. We hear there are plenty of waterfalls and other sites to see on the bike ride, and the best part is that we'll bike downhill... and then catch a bus back.:)

But now... time to test the water in the shower - they say it's hot, but that doesn't mean much here.