11/26 I think I can, I think I can. Got a big fat 15 miles in today at a brisk average speed of 5mph. 
Still on track for a Colombian departure in 3 days if these climbs don’t get too much crazier. I’ve been trying not to do more than 4000 feet a day in this section but it sure keeps the miles down when it’s all up hill. It kind of worked out since the rain started early and I was already checked into a place for the night.
The hotel last night was brutal. Imagine the scene from Indiana Jones when the bugs were so thick on the floor that you couldn’t even see it. It wasn’t quite that bad but as the night wore on they pretty much took over the floor, walls and ceiling. I was too scared to go in the bathroom. They weren’t cockroaches but it didn’t matter. They were small, dark and crunchy. Instead of sleeping in the tent I used my mosquito netting and sprayed Off! around the legs of the bed so nothing would crawl up and try to snuggle with me. Worked out OK but I was glad to get out of there.
Not too much going on in Chachagui. I’m in a hotel along the PanAm for $6.50. The trucks going by make the whole building shake. No wonder there are so many landslides here. The restaurant next door serves the best homemade hot sauce. The only internet in the small mountain towns is via USB modems using cell data links. Ping times are 4000ms plus so trying to do anything (like email people back) is next to impossible. I still have to get my plane tickets too.
Found out the border between Ecuador and Colombia is closed on Sunday which is OK because I won’t be there until Tuesday. Here’s why:
My dear friends, for those of you cycling into Ecuador this Sunday it is important to note that our borders will be close due to the National Census; and for those of you all ready inside the country, please notice that there will be a restriction to leave your hotels or places of accommodation and to move freely on the streets or roads from 07h00 to 17h00 of that day.
Thanks to Luis for posting it on the PamAm Riders group.
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