Safe Arrival in Vilcabamba

Dear Family and Friends,

Chuck and I arrived, safely but tired, at Izhcayluma in Vilcabamba yesterday afternoon about 5pm. After Chuck smoked a cigar on our porch overlooking the valley and I took a nap we went to the outdoor dining room for dinner. Fantastic food and the plates are enormous. We shared a bottle of wine and enjoyed the evening.

We left Cuenca yesterday about 11am. We took a bus to Loja (about a 4.5 hr trip) and then a taxi to Vilcabamba (about a 45 min trip). I had downloaded some music and radio broadcasts to my mp3 player and having this diversion really helped the trip go faster.

This morning we had a wonderful breakfast with a georgous view of the valley. We have walked down the road to town and are reading emails at an internet cafe. The connection is too slow, I am afraid, to upload pictures.

We are on our way to do coffee research to try and find the best espresso in town.

That is about it for now. We are enjoying the beautiful scenery and the warm weather.

Love,

Nancy and Chuck