Viruses

 Emerging from Covid lock down , we are conscious that we are still affected physically . Our body’s response to the virus is not yet back to normal . Coughs, tiredness ,dizziness and temperature variations persist . However, In the few weeks left in Ecuador , it is time for some tourist stuff. 

So off to the National Museum to be impressed by indigenous skills of past millenniums. The Incas ruled Quito for one hundred years , and the Spanish for three hundred; but the skills of the locals showed through. In recent years the painter Oswaldo Guayasamín was outstanding , his subjects ranged from Castro to King Juan Carlos. His output at 12,000 items was prodigious. He was  capable of painting a portrait in  one hour fifteen minutes , using a spatula and oils (he videoed it ) . From a western centric perception, we had never heard of him! A ‘sickness ‘ in that South America is largely ignored.

 This is also a region where violence is an ailment affecting most countries .Less so in Ecuador, but however in Mac Donalds the cash is collected by men with body armour and automatic  rifles. 

Quito has expanded high up the side of Volcano Pichincha. A brave or desperate solution to perceived land shortages . This volcano is still classified as active , with lava flows in 1859 and an ash emission as recently as1999. A large archeological site in the middle of housing exhibits a previous occupation now covered by lava. The current residents must be hoping to avoid ,or ignoring the possibility ,of a similar fate.

 A visit to the “Centre of the World “ ; actually an exhibition celebrating latitude zero.  It also features an 18 century french  expedition carried out :’for the purpose of performing an arc measurement, measuring the length of a degree of latitude near the Equator, by which the Earth radius can be inferred’ . I suppose that was important given the effort involved . 

From there we were destined to visit the Amazon , having decided to risk overgrown snakes and flesh eating fish : until our daughter casually mentioned “ you have had yellow fever jabs ? “ Ah no . Subsequent investigation indicated we were now probably too old . Given that the area has malaria and dengue; and with our less than perfect Covid recovery , we decided to avoid further  virus intake . 

So it was off to another cloud forest , this time Amazonian , but 2000 metres above those virus risks . 2000 hectares of primary rainforest preserved for posterity ..and tourism . Our guide assured us that the temperature and rainfall precluded snakes , and it was only the wildlife cameras that ever saw black bear and big cats. So we enjoyed the forest walks ; but in truth saw more birds and trees from our balcony. 

Even in the remotest Amazon , it is impossible to escape the catastrophe  overtaking Eastern Europe, and infecting the whole world . As with Covid , there is no escape. Our host also has a major venture that grows roses ; but especially for Russia and surrounding countries ; apparently they like their roses particularly big. His business and ability to be paid ( via SWIFT ) , has now all but ceased.

Impressive art millenium years old 

The cheesiest of photos …hands across the centre of the world