PowerCycle

Still sick. Cases of flu in the city are way up in the last few days so I’m not alone (35 cases of H1N1 too but I think I’ve had that twice already so I can’t possibly have it again). The only issue I’m still dealing with is a mildly annoying runny nose and a minor dry cough. Other than that I’m not doing too bad–I’m not breathing like a 2 pack-a-day smoker after walking up stairs like I was a week ago. I could try taking some medicine but I’ve held out this long without taking anything so why start now.

Karen and Martin rode into town today. 2 months since I last saw them back in Cartagena, Colombia. They are staying here at the hostel until Sunday. It’s sure good to see them again. Seeing my friends back in Florida was amazing but my lifestyle has changed rather significantly in the last 2 years so you develop a different bond with someone who lives the same way you do. Hope that didn’t sound girly.

I’ll probably take off with them Sunday and maybe camp one night at a Casa De Ciclistas before continuing south toward Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world. Casa De Ciclistas or “House for Cyclists” are privately owned houses that are always available for cyclists to stay at no charge. There are maybe a dozen(?) in South America. The owners are always biking fanatics themselves. The one we’re going to is just outside Quito and according to the owner there is always at least one cyclist staying there.

We saw a pretty big Three Kings’ Day parade on the way to dinner. Lot’s of dancing, music and people dressed up in all kinds of costumes.

Here’s some action from the parade: