Onward to Ecuador!

5:30 am - Wake up, eat a cucumber for breakfast. Pack. 

6:10 Call taxi

6:17 Arrive at bus station

6:45 Bus leaves for Pasto and Ipiales

8:36 I sleep for awhile, then we stop at someone's house to use the bathroom. (Not planned. And didnt realize it was their house - they had a little road stand selling food! So kind of them to let us invade their house...)

Stefan and I move to the front seat. The bus driver tells me I'm very pretty.

 10:44 We drive through the most beautiful mountainous land. Deepest valleys, and huge green steep mountains on either side. The tops touch the clouds, and we drive up through them then back down.

11:17 The ride goes fast, we make a few stops, listen to energetic salsa music,  And our driver cruses along really fast - Going 80 in a 40 and 100 in a 60 on the craziest curviest roads, passing semis in no passing zones - defying death. I hold my breath more than once as we are completely relying on luck. A few times we were halfway past a semi when a car rounded the corner and we slammed on our breaks to get back over...I was thankful when the road straightened out, but it was short lived.

12:02 Bus arrives in Pasto, an hour ahead of schedule. Pay .50 for a bathroom...as in every bus station.

12:15 Bus leaves for Ipiales

Sit next to a nice Colombian and in front of five of his Chica friends, they laugh and joke because he is sitting by a gringa. Johanny and a guy from Morocco keep me entertained with good conversation and the ride goes fast.

12:26 Shortly after leaving we are stopped by military men who make all the men get off the bus. A short search and passport check and we continue on our way.

2:00 Arrive in Ipaieles. Jump in a collectiveo taxi with a few Colombians, a few Ecuadorians, and a few backpackers. I quickly make a ham and cheese tortilla and share some Oreos with the boys. No idea how long the border will take. Border crossings alway make me nervous.

2:15 Arrive at the boarder. The taxi drops us off on the Ecuador side. So we walk back to Colombia, get an exit stamp, then walk again across the yellow bridge to Ecuador. 

It is the easiest border crossing of my life - a simple stamp to exit, one tiny migration form, three questions from the officer, and an entrance stamp. No bag checks, no delays, and only one fast moving line. So much relief.

3:00 Jump in a taxi that takes us to the bus terminal. The cost is $3.50 for the three of us. Ecuador uses American dollars.

3:20 We pay .15 for bathrooms in Tulcan bus station.

 3:30 Board the bus to Quito. It is a huge coach bus, with huge comfy seats and windows that open. The Austrian boys share some avocado and bread with me. Yum.

4:28 The buildings and towns are similar but many of the people are very indigenous. They all seem to have very angled noses and soft faces.

4:36 We cross what looks like farmland with trees along the fence line. The hills look like they are covered in soft, green, down blankets. 

People keep coming on the bus trying to sell things. The ride is going to take forever - we keep stopping. It was supposed to be an express bus. The guy on the other bus warned us to make sure to ask for express not direct. I think we were just happy to find a bus to Quito and jumped on the first one. Oops.

4:40 It is strange how these people are so different from Colombians but so similar to each other. I like it.

5:44 The hills have remained the same, but the grass has disappeared and given way to dust and rocks and dark, dry, scattered shrubs. The sun is setting an shining through the clouds on the hills. It is breathtaking...

5:52 We are listening to bachata. I like this bus ride.

6:07 Iberra. They have pine trees that look like palm trees, whaaat? Ill try to get a pic later. And the people...it's hard to tell the guys and girls apart. A few of them are wearing top hats and shalls. Native dress? Ill try to get a photo of that too.

6:17 Twelve hours since we left. It went so fast, doesn't seem like it at all.

6:28 We had a little break in Ibarra, but they didn't announce it. I'm glad I asked. I was getting to the limit of sitting at one time capacity of tolerance. They have Ecuadorian time, they didn't mind standing outside the bus a little longer to wait for me.

7:02 I love this country. It reminds me of Guatemala and I haven't even been out of the bus yet. They are now playing the happiest, most fun Latin music imaginable and I want to dance.

7:16 The bus has blue lights! Woo!

How am I so happy and excited after traveling nonstop for 13 hours!? I am so in love with this. 

7:34 Money comes and money goes, but the memories and lessons learned last forever. That is why every penny I spend on travel is worth it.

8:10 I see Quitoo I see Quito!!!! Let me out of this bus!!!! (It's so far away....just gotta decend this darn mountain....)

8:36 That jeep literally just came within 3 inches of sideswiping us, right below my window. Alright then...

8:37 Bilandoo, bilandoooo....

8:48 WE ARE HEERREE. Jump off the bus, bus boy throws our bags out and jumps back on the bus and drives away... And Christoph hasn't gotten off. Oops. Hahaha. He got the bus to stop before they left the bus stop.

8:54 In a taxi. 30 minutes to hostel. Sweeeettt Jesus I love life. :)

...our taxi costs $8. The whole five hour ride from the border cost $5. I always forget to barter after long travel days. Ugh. oh Jenna. Guess I'm still not an experienced traveler. :P

9:15 It's misty. Kinda pretty over the city lights.

9:48 Finally found a hostel after checking every one on the street - and we have the room to ourselves! Success! Shower, sleep. Life is good.:)