Guaranda

Guaranda is colonial and quaint. The drive here from Banos was mid-blowing. Past snow-capped volcanoes, up to a dry, desert-like region that has tons of wildlife. My hotel overlooks the town. I found a cute cafe called Los 7 Santos. It's full of art and stickers from around the world. And they have pilsener lite...SCORE! It's the first time I've seen it. I much prefer wine, but hey, lite beer'll do. They put in an Argentine film about dancing and put the subtitles in English for me. How sweet.

On the way back from dinner, two indigenous women were fighting in the street. Literally fighting. One of the slapped the other and the other said that she was going to call the police. There are several indigenous groups here, typically differentiated by their clothes. These two women wore long skirts, frilly white shirts, gold beaded necklaces and hard, round gray hats. I think they were fighting over a man. What a surprise.

I'm slated to go to the remote village of Salinas tomorrow. They make all sorts of goods in small factories by hand. The bus leaves at 6 and 7 am only so we'll see.