Zoom Zoom

We’ve officially had possession of our car for a little less than a month. After we got it, we had to leave it in the garage for a few days (i.e.-a week and a half) while insurance was taken care of. After that we had to take it to a mechanic for one or two tweaks that needed to be done. Once we finally had everything up and running we got it detailed at our school. Apparently a detailer comes to our school every Tuesday and will meet you in the garage. If you give him your keys and $5 he will wash and detail the inside and outside of your car. If you really want to feel fancy and have a full wax, the total will run you $9 and it’s ready by the time you leave for the day. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Anyway, after all of the waiting and a few trips to the grocery store, we were ready to take the car for her maiden voyage. With how cheap the cabs are in Quito and how everything can be reached within a $6 ride we originally did not plan on getting a car. It wasn’t until uncomfortable walks home from the grocery store and the realization that this beautiful country has so much to offer if you can get there, that we realized that we needed a car.

So with keys in hand and an upcoming 13 day vacation in the middle of February we decided to take a drive and have an adventure. Oh it was definitely that.

And this is BEFORE it got
bad.

We arranged for a nice beach house with another couple and their family in the small little fishing town of Ayampe which is just past Puerto Lopez. The drive was scheduled to take us about 8 hours each way even though it was less than 300 miles. The nature of the city lends itself to many winding and slow roads in and out of town as you have to climb down mountains, through the clouds, and towards sea level.

We stocked up on gas and snacks and situated Howie in the back seat with a few of his favorite toys and a bowl of water and left Monday morning at 6am sharp. We made it out of the city just as the sun was beginning to rise and that of course means we were at cloud height. It’s really interesting to live at or on some days above cloud height because it isn’t until you descend from the mountain that you really get in the thick of it. On this particular day it was a nightmare. Imagine driving during the first breaths of dawn when the sun isn’t really up yet but the light on the horizon starts to reflect on the road. Now imagine that but on top of it the light also reflects on the clouds rendering everything in front of you invisible past 13 feet. Now imagine those conditions but in the middle of one of those old “Zoom Zoom Mazda” commercials. That’s what we were up against. Also I hadn’t driven a car even once in about 6 months. It was a little scary at times and also a lot of fun.

As we came down from the clouds and the sun finally appeared, we found ourselves in the middle of the rain forest. Again we’re talking about one lane slick wet roads, steep descents, but also on top of it lush green and waterfalls. Driving through the Ecuadorian rain forests towns was one of the most breathtaking things I’ve ever experienced. The fact that we live in the city and the only green we see is at the park when we choose to seek it out made us appreciate the scenery even more.

Don't go chasin' waterfalls

Now know this; if you ever drive through the Ecuadorian rain forests be prepared to drive aggressively. On these roads you will find an equal number of SUVs attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500, rickety old fruit carts, and oil tanker trucks. Half of the cars travel at about 70mph while the others drive at 5mph. Everyone treats these one lane roads (to be clear one lane each direction) as if they are highways meant for passing. Once every 30 seconds or so you see a car speed past you to pass as a hairpin turn approaches and a 50/50 shot that a car is coming in the other lane. It’s ridiculous. At other times, you have to be that person making the bold decisions to pass people on the mountain roads; otherwise you are choosing to have an 8 hr drive turn into a 39 hr drive.

At some parts of the road there were clear spots where the outer most lane had just collapsed into the nothingness below with no guard rail or sign. At other parts you could see the boulders, dirt, and rock that had rolled off the side of the mountain earlier in the morning. It was insane.

The rain forest was an exhilarating ride. For those of you who think. For all of the beauty of the surrounding area and the danger lying around every corner due to the drivers, there is also the challenge of the path itself. I am not exaggerating when I say that you turn 45 degrees left then 45 degrees right over and over and over for about 5 hours straight while on an incline. If you don’t believe me, check out this map.

It looks tough enough but now imagine the road on a 45 degree decline.

Once you leave the rain forest you take side roads through small shanty towns until you get to the beach highway which was perhaps my favorite part of the trip. As you approach the highway you are again in another mountain road winding left and right and all of the sudden as you emerge from the mountain all you see in front of you is the deepest blue ocean you can imagine with white soft sand running alongside it. The highway runs parallel to the beach and winds back and forth as if you’re racing the Pacific Ocean. It was something out of a James Bond movie. There were 180 foot rock faced cliffs leaving off into the ocean at one turn and a sprawling array of fishing boats trying to get the day’s tuna at the next.

After our trip, it was time to do it all again, only this time UP hill! That was fun too although there were a few moments when I thought the new car was going to give out. First test passed!

Overall the drive to the coast was dangerous. There was literally potential for death around every turn. But when approached with caution, it was one of the most remarkable things I’ve ever seen and without a doubt the most fun drive I’ve ever had. Ecuador is a small country but the chance to drive through the mountains, clouds, rain forest, and beach in one day is something I won’t ever forget.