Day 6, 6.26

Thursday was a gift of a day. Having been cloudy all week, we woke up to our first spotting of Mt. Chimborazo. Although only 21,000 ft. above sea level, the equatorial bulge results in the mountain's tip being the furthest point from the center of the earth.
We had a 5.5 hour drive to Papallacta, our "day off" retreat. What a perfect day to have clear skies! A number of volcanoes line the Pan-American highway, and we were able to see more than our leader had even seen (and he's done this trip at least 11 times). The high peaks put Is. 54:10 in a new light: "'For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed, but My kindness shall not depart, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord who has mercy on you." Someday, these firmly established rocks will crumble and be gone, but God's loyalty cannot and will not ever be weakened. It will remain forever and ever.

It would take more words than I can string together, or maybe even create, to describe the place, but it is a unique conglomeration of straw-covered bungalows, natural hot springs 10 feet from your door that have been tapped into small tiled pools, rainforest-like flora, waterfalls, majestic mountains towering above you


(and you are already at 12,000 feet), and then cows and llamas. It is a spa and resort nestled down in the valley of a huge mountain. The unusual location produces its unusual climate, but also allows for beautiful nature unlike anything I've seen in one place, especially Ecuador! I know I can't post enough pictures to give you an accurate taste, but you can go to snapfish.com, enter the email: sarah.billingsby@yahoo.com, and password: ecuador, to view more pictures. Dad's and mine are there, as well as other team members'.
Every thing we did there was wonderful and relaxing...well, three of us attempted a run, but after a total of 13 minutes, my lungs overpowered my will. It would be a great training place though, especially with inexpensive spa and massage treatment! But the run was well worth the experience, as we got a glimpse of a sunlit volcano behind wispy clouds that had been hidden the day before (Left picture above).
The highlight for me was the waterfall hike. Again, pictures, and even video, won't do, but here is a taste. I think what impacted me the most was to witness the surrounding magnitude while staring at delicate creations. Flowers, intricate and vibrant in focus, but then zoom out and realize the overwhelming grandeur. It was incredible. I have always loved the sight and sound of waterfalls, and in this setting, it was even more special.



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