Cloud Forest, the Sequel

Actually, before I write about our weekend trip to Mindo, Ecuador, I'd like to make a couple of notes about the Good Friday experiences I wrote about in the most recent entry concerning Holy Week here in Quito. The processional of the cucuruchos (penitents in purple robes with pointy head coverings)left me weary and a bit sad. I've been to Latin America 3-4 times now, and I'm still trying to figure something out. Why the extreme focus of the Roman Catholic church (at least here in Latin America) on the suffering and death of Christ to the neglect of His Resurrection? I can surmise a few things, such as possibly enhanced job security for some, or a high need to control, but overall, it still remains a mystery to me. Another thing I wonder about is how justification by faith, salvation by God's gift of grace seems so absent. "Works" seems to be the order of the day in this culture, when it comes to how many perceive right relationship with God. Of course, in our tradition we often talk about His grace, but often judge others and our own standing with God by a standard of works-righteousness. I know that I need to walk my talk (about salvation by His grace, not by my own merit) more freely and consistently. But, "theological things" seem different here. I've been influenced positively in the faith by writings of several Catholic writers, so I'm trying to figure out the difference here.

Okay, let me see here....oh, our trip to the western slope of the Andes. Mindo, Ecuador was our destination, about a 2-2 1/2 hour bus ride from Quito. To get there involves passing the Mitad del Mundo monument/park. That's the equator. A funny thing is that the climate in that area (only about 10-15 miles from where I sit in our apartment)seems unusual. It's almost high desert-like right around that point here in the Sierras...high and very dry. What's unusual is that soon afterward (as in mere minutes) one enters a cloud forest region of the Andean slopes with a lush forest/jungle like setting.

We went to Mindo, primarily because we'd heard and read that it is in one of those birding "hot spots". That's about all we knew about it, other than it was tauted to be beautiful. It is that, for sure. Our trip was a spur of the moment decision on Saturday. Two other NILI students (Kyle and Jessica) joined us. Because time was short and the bus didn't leave til late Sat afternoon, we opted to splurge a bit and take a taxi. We could leave sooner and get there quicker. This turned out to be a good idea, given the circumstances. $45 for a 2 hour ride for 4 people seemed quite reasonable. The return trip on the bus cost $2.50 per person.

Soon after passing the equator monument, we entered a mountain cloud forest. It began raining, which continued past midnight. We arrived in Mindo about 4 p.m., and checked into a hostel called Jardin de los Párajos (Garden of the Parrots/Birds). It was clean, had hot water (not all hostels who advertise hot H20 actually deliver the goods), offered a 2nd story veranda with hammock, was off the beaten path, had a pool, lots of colorful flowers and hummingbirds, plus a tasty breakfast...all for $13 per person. I bunked in an ample sized 2nd floor room with Kyle, and Darlene with Jessica next door.

We took to the streets (what few there are) of Mindo, to begin to explore what there was to do, and how to go about making arrangements for the next day's activities. We chose to do the following: zipline/rainforest canopy experience, check out a location of multiple variety of hummingbirds, butterflies,and orchids, and take an early morning self-guided exploration looking again for birds of various feather-types. We had a nice $5 steak or chicken dinner, then coffee at a place owned by an Oregonian. He also had a degree from Oregon State, so we had a bunch to talk about when we met. Then we settled in to listen the tropical downpour on our rooftop. Kyle and I, stellar students that we are, studied Spanish homework until falling asleep amid the pounding of heavy rain on the roof. I had trouble falling asleep. I think my former work life kicked in and I began wondering/planning how I could get our group out of this mountainside town, and back to Quito should there be a huge mudslide. Those happen here. Sometimes, I just can't seem to help myself. I came up with no great ideas other than to walk.

We were up at 5:30 (this time I didn't mistakenly wake everyone up at 4:30 as I did on our journey to the eastern slope/cloud forest)and set out for our "bird search" hike. Sunday dawned with clear skies. The hike at dawn was beautiful, complete with mountain and valley vistas. Again, we heard more exotic birds than we saw, but we were rewarded when Darlene spotted a small flock of green/red parrots headed our way. I was thrilled to see them clustered in a tree about 40 yards from us. That was the best of the bird sightings of the early morning, but we enjoyed the sounds of many more than we saw, plus the hike was well worth the early morning rising....a different kind of sunrise service.

Ahhhh, the zip line experience in the cloud forest canopy. The best $10 I've spent in many a day, as far as recreational experiences go. We had 12 separate zip line "flights" or runs/experiences, approaching a total of 2 miles of zip line. We went solo, and some segments were about 150 yds in length, others as much as 1/4 mile in length. Most were "way above" the treetops, though some were zipping along at tree line. We actually spotted a big Toucan (remember Fruit Loops?) about 20' in front of us in the forest. So colorful!! He was yellow around his face/beak area. We were able to opt to ride the zip line upside down, which was a blast. Darlene did that, too! A highlight for me was when, during one of the segments, I looked down in the forest/jungle and could see a waterfall and then my shadow on the canopy of the trees in the dense forest about 100' below me. A fun and reflective experience.

We then visited a spot where there were "scads" of hummingbirds. I've never seen so many varieties of hummingbirds. They say Ecuador is home to about 130 varieties of hummingbirds. We think we counted at least 10 different varieties. One of our favorites had white chest and underneath tail feathers that fanned out white, with blue neck and back. His head was black. Another had a royal purple look, while one of the smallest had a real skinny tail with "poofy" feather-balls and when he perched he looked like he had little white booties for feet. We also got to tour an area where there were a wide variety of butterflies (my father in law would enjoy this place) and orchids.

After trekking back to town, we enjoyed some pizza which was pretty good, then found our way to a business that grows cocoa beans and makes chocolate. There we met another Oregonian, who lived about 8 miles from where we did when we lived there.....so we've met a total of 4 Oregonians in our time here. We had a huge chocolate brownie, made from the beans grown nearby. I've now met several Oregonians, and I'm looking for a fellow Okie. I might have luck over in the oil region of the Amazon basin.

The bus ride home was crowded. Darlene and I were in the back row, while Kyle and Jessica's assigned seats (we bought the last 4 tickets for this trip) were in the very front of the bus. I tend to get claustrophobic, so we had the window open a bit, even though it was a bit chilly. It was again foggy and rainy as we made our way back up the western slope cloud forest of the Ecuadoran Andes, then over the pass and into Quito.....and to homework.

If you'd like to see photos from our experiences at the cucuruchos processional in Holy Week and also of our trip to Mindo, here's the link that you can copy and paste.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=157714&id=753486023