ECUADOR- the High Country Nov. 3rd

Ecuador is the size of Colorado yet it has an amazing diversity- from expansive coastal beaches to even more expansive jungle opening on to the great Amazon basin. Between these two geographical extremes lies country at many different altitudes where most of the people live. While it is not impossible to find people living at 13,500' it is not the best environment to eek out a living. Tubers will grow and some small animals will get by but for me I love the 11,000-13,000 foot elevation. Why? Many of the rolling hills and open expanses are at this altitude and just invite a stroll through tall grass. It is oftentimes raw with questionable weather. You can start out in the am with warm sun, yet with a thinness in the air. The cloud covers the sun, the temperature drops, the cloud passes the sun and warmth returns. The wind come up, you hunker down, the changing landscapes from clouds passing shifts the colors and creates magic.

It can and does happen everywhere. In your place also. It all happens so fast we tend to miss it unless we bundle up and strike out. Here are some shots.

[caption id="attachment_508" align="alignnone" width="1024"] lower elevation looking out over former hacienda lands returned to indigenous peasants in the 1950's as part of a re distribution program.

The farm houses of the Hacienda La Magdalena a magnificent structure just purchased by 87 partners (all indigenous farmers who have always lived and worked on the farm(sounds like middle age surfdom?) Right. With over 400 acres of fertile land the main house(not shown) is designated for tourist use.

my favorite area to explore is the paramo shown here as the higher elevations. With short grasses, an occasional sheep or llama the views are incredible, once you manage to reach the elevation...

paramo without the long distance views. I also feel a chill in the air or is that a mist moving in. Time to bundle up.![/caption]