Sunday, January 27, 2019 4:48 AM PT This morning was superb. Our wonderful hacienda has coffee ready early so it seemed the birds and had found their share. At 7:15 I threw my yoga mat down on the patio outside my room and was delighted at how many songs echoed around me, many coming from beautiful fruit trees blooming in bright reds and yellows. After some bendy stretchy, we had a great breakfast which was critical to power our all man shopping spree taking place in one of Ecuador’s largest outdoor markets. Once at the market we quickly discussed negotiating tactics, set a time to return and then set forth into our shop till you drop Otavalo extravaganza! No matter how many times I walk through this explosion of textiles, jewelry and crafts, I never get past the sensory overload. Even if Amazon has eroded any sense of “good shopping wherewithal” it is still possible for nine dudes to stroll head first into this crazy place and come out with something a loved one might enjoy. Loved ones, please just say you “love it” when you get your gifts. We really do try! After the market we picked up some groceries for the hut then piled into two rowdy 4x4 trucks and headed up the mountain. These roads aren’t your average cobble stone roads so after 2.5 hours of intense butt massaging and dust inhalation overload we arrived at the Cayambe hut. Sitting at 15,100 feet we moved slowly but still managed a great hike before dinner. The weather was great so our views of the mountain left us wondering if we should just keep climbing. Back at the hut we all enjoyed good stories and food setting us up well for our first night at a new altitude. We shall report on the nights effects tomorrow. Buenas Noches from Cayambe. RMI Guide Adam Knoff

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