Onwards via Cuenca

Today is Monday and currently I am keeping it easy in La Cigale, a French influenced hostel that shares space with a posh restaurant under the same name. This has been my place of residence in a city called Cuenca since Friday. Located in the south easternish part of Ecuador, Cuenca is the countries third largest city and biggest exporter of STDs...just kidding. The past few days have been filled with reunions, exploring, and experiencing nightlife in arguably Ecuador's most picturesque urban location. Vividly green rolling hills surround the landscape and Spanish style architecture dominates the cobbled streets as carriages and street vendors go about their daily routines.

After four days here I can safely determine that Cuenca is my favorite city in Ecuador. If boasts a very metropolitan flair while still harnessing South American prices. Trendy cafes fill each corner of the historical district and families enjoy casual afternoons in one of numerous square plazas. Friday was Dia De Los Muertos and Saturday was a city-wide celebration to honor its independence from the Spanish 192 years ago.

Traveling with friends Sean and Nick, we parted ways with Hannah and John who are back in Quito. We all spent one last night together in Montañita to check the beach and celebrate Halloween with other backpackers. The group who didn't travel north arrived late on Thursday and quickly reconnected with another Quito friend named Paul and a girl I knew from Missoula named Jordan. Together with a few new friends we wandered, ate, and danced to contribute to Cuenca's increasingly wild fiestas. The city was alive with musical performances around various plazas and we ended the weekend's festivities with some salsa dancing at a hipster bar called Zoocuidad.

Last night Nick returned to Quito which marks the end of about two weeks of traveling together. Earlier today Sean and I visited Cajas National Park which boasts a tundra-like climate. With lush hills and a series of lagoons we finished a two hour hike by running after a public bus and catching it with seconds to spare.

Loja is the hopeful destination tomorrow and I hope everyone is doing ok too!