Baños: Bigger and Better

I returned to Baños this weekend for a second go. The first trip was good, but there was much more to do. I traveled with my new roommate, Anna, from Germany. There we met up with Krishma and the sisters I traveled with the previous weekend. To start off the weekend right, I decided to get robbed a second time. It happened on the trolley, even though I knew it might happen and was being extra vigilant to ensure it wouldn´t. The woman cut open my bag and stole my camera and scarf. To my knowledge, that is all she took. I had my money close to me, so she couldn´t get to it. Luckily, the camera was the cheap one I bought second-hand, knowing that it would probably get stolen at one point during my trip. I experienced the same feelings as last time - feeling taken advantage of, feeling chosen because I was white - I have truly felt racism. There were plenty of Ecuadorians with more valuable things than I, but because I have blonde hair, they feel it is okay to steal from me. I talked with my Ecuadorian friend, and he said that it is true, they really feel no remorse stealing from white people because they feel it is not fair the things we have, and think we all have millions of dollars. The woman who stole from me had a gold watch and gold bracelet and was very nicely dressed. I felt something touch my bag, but because I was holding on with one hand, I had only one hand free to hold my bag. She cut it open on the opposite side. If you are ever in Quito, don´t take the trolley. :) ..back to the weekend.. So we arrived in Baños around dinner time. We checked into a hostel, signed up for white-water rafting and went to dinner. That night was spent eating goodies and watching American TV. In the morning, we ate a hearty and delicious breakfast and headed off to rafting. After a quick and completely inadaquate lesson, we were in the water. I wouldn´t have been so nervous, except the entire lesson was about falling out and drowning and the boat flipping.... and then the guide put me in front! Yikes! The weakest girl who apparently can´t think quick enough to figure out that ¨right side paddle backwards¨ means ¨left side paddle frontwards¨... it was a little bit embarrassing but alot of bit amazing! We went on rapids level 3 out of 6 if I remember correctly.. which were scary enough for my first time out without feeling like we were going to die the entire time. I concentrated on keeping in stroke with the guy in front on the other side and on trying not to drown every time a wave came over the boat! We were on the river for about an hour and a half and it was so much fun, as well as a good workout. Lunch was included... oh no! but actually turned out to be similar to orphanage food, which means edible, but nowhere near exciting. We had a few hours to shower and relax before we headed out for a wonderful dinner and a ¨volcano tour¨. Nothing here with the name volcano has anything to do with it. What we did do was ride a bus to the top of the mountain, look at the view of the city lights at night, which was very pretty, and then watch flame throwers/jugglers. That was worth the three dollars in itself, because they were very good at what they did and were very entertaining. I did feel a guy try to rob me, but luckily I had nothing in the back pocket where he felt. He left as soon as he knew I had nothing. Dang that blonde hair for making me an instant target! The tour guide told us the volcano was back behind some building we could see in the distance, but it was hidden behind clouds.... hmmm... The next morning we got up early to go to the thermal baths... yummy and warm.. and then had another delicious breakfast. More shower time ensued (we have no water pressure at my host house, so you have to take advantage when you go to a hostel). The other girls left, so Anna and I were on our own. We walked out to the zoo, which was awesome! I was able to see a jaguar... he was so cute I wanted to take him home with me! He was taking a nap on his back, with all four paws up in the air, occasionally batting away a fly from his face. He had black spots, even on his belly, and he looked exactly like a ginormous kitty cat. We also saw quite a few monkeys, including a baby spider monkey that was adorable. He attempted to swing and climb, but he was just so little he kept on having to call to his mommy for help. There was also a giant pig/anteater that was the size of a small cow who had free reign of the zoo... just walking around wherever he felt like. We caught a cab back past the other side of the town to the bridge where we.... bungee jumped!!! Ahhhh!!!!! It was so scary, even though it wasn´t that high, and we did it together and it was a swing bungee (which is good because it doesn´t rip your body in half like the real one). It was only ten bucks, and we were harnessed up by a six year old!!!!!!! I am not even kidding. A six year old put on and adjusted the harnesses that would keep us alive - it was unreal. We had to climb over the railing to a ledge, and then the man said one, two, three, go! I was not ready, and said no, but down we went!!! I seriously can´t even remember the first swing because I was so scared and surprised we were already going. My stomach was leaping even in the tenth or eleventh swing... it was crazy fun!!! We held onto each other like there was no tomorrow, for sure, and let me tell you, my crotch will never be the same after the way that rope ripped into me.. but it held, and that is the main thing. We headed back into town, exhilirated, for lunch and then the bus ride back. I now have three more days left at the orphanage and I am going to miss my kids like nothing else. Everytime I think about leaving them, I start to cry. I wish I could bring some of them home with me... Thank you Merry, Gracie and Matt, and Robin for the packages - they all arrived safely and I will finish handing them out tomorrow and the next day. (And remind me to tell you how Ecuadorian post offices work sometime...) So far, the kids have absolutely loved their gifts, especially the boys, surprisingly! Some of the older boys, who I thought would be bored, have turned out to be spectacular artists. The kids have surpised me in every way imaginable. I have loved my time there and my time in Ecuador. Although I am ready to come home, I am glad to have had every experience, even the hard ones, as they have helped to shape me, and increase my trust in the Lord. Thank you for sharing my memories with me and I am dying to see you all! Bye from Ecuador...