Hi all- Malcolm had to get off the computer early last night so you get me again.

A few of our impressions of Mindo:

-it´s really hard to get small change and there are some truly grotty $1 bills circulating

-there is very little English spoken so Elinor´s Spanish got a workout and may have even improved!

-heard quite a few foreigners asking about buying land either for a house or new business (like a "birthing sanctuary"or a meditation center

-lots of dogs with corgi in them

- absolutely the best birding we have had!! Saw over 200 species of which 85 were ones that were new to us. The hummingbirds especially are amazing - the colours are unbelievably irridescent and bright.

Yesterday in Quito we stopped at a cafe and they had a newspaper in ENGLISH!!!

This morning we left Quito on a 2 day trip - our driver/guide drove us to Cotapaxi volcano and we were so lucky that the day was sunny and clear so the whole mountain was visible - it´s a perfect snow-topped cone so is spectacular! We parked and then walked up 1,000 ft to 4, 800 ft- the altitude really made it a challenge! It was great though. Now we are in a hotel in Lacacunga ( tomorrow off to see a lake in a crater with little villages around it) and the owner has brought a laptop to our room so I can write this scintillating piece to you.

Off to dinner now so will sign off and wish you all well,

take care, Elinor