I´m typing this from a bus station in Loja, Ecuador as we wait for our 11 PM bus to depart to PERU! It is hard to believe it, but we´ve been down here for a month already! Since our last adventure in beautiful, soggy Cajas, we´ve traveled south to a community called Vilcabamba. Our guide book says this is where the fountain of youth is located, but Joey and I didn´t find it. What we did find was some of the most AMAZING scenery, sunsets, starscapes, and weather around.

Vilcabamba is a very laid-back town set in a green valley surrounded by crumpled mountains on all sides (the tallest of which, Joey and Matt climbed today). We stayed at a nature reserve called Rumi Wilco outside of town, high up on a hill overlooking the stunning views during the day and the bright stars at night. We spent a lot of time swinging in the hammocks, playing cards, and generally loving life. Joey was excited to get a chance to cook some AMAZING pizzas in the adobe woodfired stove, and we were excited to eat them!