Ecuador 1/11/2019 - 2/2/2019

Sunday, January 27, 2019 - Swimming at Santagua, Chachimburo

Today was our much-anticipated trip to the hot spring pools. We wanted to do something special for Shina and Yupanqui, sine they had not been able to join us in the Galapagos. Shina has been talking about the hot springs since we first arrived two weeks ago. All three kids love the water, but Shina seems to have a particular affinity for it. We have jokingly taken to calling the pools "pi-SHINAs" rather than the correct Spanish word, piscina. We awoke early for our excursion.

The summit of Mama Cotacachi, the beautiful volcano presiding over the community, was visible this morning from the front yard, and Fuya Fuya was visible from the back yard. We could see some chochos (lupins) in bloom. The weather was clear and sunny, a perfect day to go swimming.

We gathered for breakfast, enjoying potato pancakes, ham, juice, and coffee. Then we gathered our swimsuits, towels, and other gear. Antonio's friend picked us up in a van.

On prior visits, we have gone swimming at the Nangulvi Hot Springs in Intag. This time, Antonio suggested trying some place new: Santagua in Chachimburo.

Aida could not join us because there were tourists arriving at the house around noontime. She stayed home to prepare the house for their arrival.

The rest of us piled into the van and drove a route previously unknown to us. We made a pit stop in Urcuqui, which had a lovely town square and street art. A statue of archangel Michael, the patron saint of the town, stood on top of a demon, vanquishing him with a sword.

When we arrived at Santagua, it was obvious that it was a much bigger complex than Nangulvi. The van dropped us off in the large parking lot, and then the driver and Antonio immediately turned around and headed back home. It turned out that Antonio had a music gig at 2 p.m., so he was unable to stay. We were unsure whether this was the plan all along or whether he had been called into action. Either way, the driver would return to pick us up after dropping Antonio at home.

As we walked from the parking lot to the entrance, we passed a gauntlet of small restaurants as well as shops selling all manner of floaties, pool toys, and bathing suits. Rosa was looking at a pretty sun hat with a silk flower on it. We know that she is sensitive to sun, and usually wears a folded square of fabric over her head to protect it from the sun. This is impractical for swimming, and we offered to buy her the sun hat. She gratefully accepted. The hat looked very stylish on her.

After paying our entrance fee to the water park, we used the changing rooms (which were much more adequate for the crowds of the place than the ones at Nangulvi) and then had our choice of five different pools of various depths and water temperatures. We chose a large pool with a giant, colorful dragon-shaped waterslide.

The kids were afraid to try the waterslide by themselves, so I offered to go down with Sisa. The thing is definitely not meant for heavy adults. We had absolutely no momentum and got stuck in the middle part. I had to try to scoot our way through with Sisa on my lap and it felt rather claustrophobic. Towards the end it was steeper and we at least gained enough velocity to pop out of the dragon's mouth for a satisfying splashdown into the pool.

I tried to encourage the kids to try it on their own, but they didn't want to. I wasn't going to do it again, LOL!

The kids decided they wanted to go into the smaller kiddie pools. Not being strong swimmers, this was more comfortable for them. Sisa went down the smaller slides, and soon Yupanqui and Shina were following suit. They had a lot of fun and were definitely gaining confidence in the water.

They took that newfound confidence back to the big pool. Sisa practiced holding her breath and dunking her head underwater. She is really doing well; we think the snorkeling in the Galapagos has made her willing to try anything.

I helped Shina to swim, and Craig helped Yupanqui. At first both were reticent and held onto us tightly. We encouraged them first to kick their feet and then slowly to loosen their grips and use their arms, all while we were holding them to keep them afloat.

Rosa also wanted to try to swim. It is not a skill that most Otavaleños possess due to lack of accessibility. Lakes and rivers in the highlands are way too cold to swim in, and pools are few and far between, except in places like this where hot springs exist.

Craig assisted Rosa, and she was doing well until she swallowed some water. At that point, she became panicked and decided to just sit on the steps, submerged up to her neck.

Everyone had a lovely time, and we are happy to know that with each practice, they are safer in water little by little.

Water park fun

Craig had managed to lose his cheap sunglasses in the large pool. We spent some time looking for them but were unable to locate them. Luckily, he didn't lose the strap for them, which he bought in Guatemala.

After 3 hours in the pools, we dried off and changed clothes. As we walked back to the parking lot, Craig saw a vendor selling cheap sunglasses on the sidewalk. He bought a replacement pair.

We were all hungry after so much time in the pools. Before heading back to the van, we stopped at Doña Mary Restaurante, a small hole-in-the-wall local restaurant, for a quick lunch. Craig and I had cheese empanadas with sugar sprinkled on top...it tasted like fresh fried dough! We also had papas fritas and Fanta.

At around 3 p.m., we headed home. The drive took around 80 minutes; which is closer than Nangulvi. Rosa and the kids fell asleep. Rosa looked adorable dozing in the back seat in her new sun hat.

We are glad that we got the chance to go with the family on a fun outing; and to do something special for Yupanqui and Shina since they did not go to the Galapagos with us. They have been so gracious and have not shown any jealousy at all, so we wanted them to be able to enjoy a special activity as well.

Back at the house, Aida was entertaining the four Greek tourists who had arrived for an overnight stay. Their names were Sofia, Yianna, Mikhail, and Christos.

Craig and I were tired after our day in the sun and the long car ride, so we took a short siesta in our casita.

Though Craig and I were barely hungry after our late lunch, we had dinner with the family and the Greek tourists. We enjoyed chatting with them and getting to know them. For dinner, we enjoyed soup, beef stew, radishes, rice, and peas. Four Greek tourists had arruved and were staying with the family for the night: We enjoyed chatting with them and getting to know them.

Craig and I then retired to our room to rest after a satisfying but tiring day in the sun.