hey. sorry about the lack of pictures but i have some problems uploading... i have now left quito to go to the nationalpark of cotopaxi, or i ment to, but somehow i ended up in the nicest village, machachi. it is a paradisic litle spot, sourounded by great vulkanoes and green fields, where carbige (kaal?), corn are groving among vild flovers and the greenest gras that i have yet seen in my entire life. the town itself is not beatyfull but charming in its own way. i am lucky enough to bee here in the weekeend where the marked takes place. farmers from all the sorounding arrea, eaven from quito comes to sell their products, mostly egs, meat, fruit and vegsables, but all so flavor, sope, tools, pots and pans and ofcause a great deal of foodstalls witch can temt with everything the heart decires such as grilled guinipig (marsvin?), leaver soup, and much more. i set my eyes on the soup made of chicken feets. but what i like most of this city is its inhibbitants. they are so friendly and the hospitality is with out comparesion! yesterday i was walking around the narrow streets when i suddenly heard music. drawn by the sound i discoverd the house from witch the sond came, and currious as i was i had to peek indside the open door, and before i knew it, i was being invited in and placed at a grand table next to a huge brassband (at least 15 persons was playing) it turmed out to be a grand feast to celebrate a baptism. i was placed by the childrens table, where the lokal english teacher as well was sitting along with some motheres and grandmothers. it was very fun and in between the very loud music i had time to fool around and play with the children and talk to the parents. ofcause it didnt take the children long to fiind the courrage to drag me up at the dancefloor. at the beginning i tried to pass it, but they where wery insisting and in the end i ended up dancing to huge amusement for the whole party. it was quite a sigth; i was vearing big sweater witch caued my face to turn almost purple contributed by the embarresment of being the center of the party ( i was eaven being videotaped). the fackt that i was wearing clumsy hikingshoes didn´t make it easier to do the steps. but i had good fun anyway, and soon i had to dance with every grownup as well. after a while i found it appropriate to leave the party, and went wandering around the streets once more. i had not gone very far befor i was recognised by and very old lady that shouted laughing after me "hey dansing girl" i went back to her door, and we had a nice and long chat with a great deal of laughing in. before i left i promised to come and visit her this afternoon.

next stop will be latangunga where i will try to find a guide for my tour, hiking the vulkanos.

take care everyone! big loving hug from anne