Hello Jungle!

Today we left our lovely apartment in Riobamba and headed to the Amazon - with a car full of soaking wet clothes from yesterday. Based on the government restrictions we are allowed to drive today. Sadly we were unable to find an Easter Mass.  In Ecuador, Easter is "no big deal" or so we were told.  Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter, is the biggest religious event of the year. Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are very important and celebrated accordingly. But Easter Day is...just another Sunday. Really strange.

We arrived in Tena by early afternoon. We had arranged in advance to have dinner at our lodging, and a planned night time jungle hike. Our hike got postponed so we settled in for a delicious dinner, some cerveza and jungle cocktails. Played cards and chatted with the owner. Diego has been working on his facility for 5 years. We chose Jungle Roots Glamping because we wanted a little bit of the jungle experience but in a sustainable tourism location. It was great. Everything has been repurposed from something else, and Diego employs local families in his endeavors. The Glamping was great. You haven't lived until you use a dry compost toilet with only 3 walls and a 50 mile view!

Sophie (caretaker and cook) made an incredible meal of fish, yucca, tomato and cucumber salad and a delicious soup served with...popcorn! Popcorn is a common accompaniment to soups here, it is sprinkled on top for extra flavor and texture. Sounds weird but it's delicious!

Abby and Peyton headed to their treehouse, Eileen and Simo, and Annie and Chris all retired to their respective "tents" complete with mosquito netting; great sleep had by all!

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