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Its spreading…
Hola mi chicas pequinita’s,
Quito es Bonito{a} arrived here in Ecuador on Monday morning and once here felt that I had aged 50 years {my age thus being approx 70}, the altitude 2700m takes a bit of getting used to. I have since give up with climbing stairs, running or even speaking quicky as it is too bloody knackering, my pulse when asleep is over 170bpm{possibly} as it tries its harde to pump what little oxgen there is around my body. Unfortunately the low pressure here has created a reaction down below and I am adding vast clouds of methane to the already polluted city here.
Yesterday I climbed a volcano called Guagua Pichincha. We reached the peack 4800m in 3.5 hrs though we were left the ‘ute’ at 4200m. The first 10 feet or so walking was a doddle, after that i was on my hands and knees crying out for mercy. It was a great hike though pretty slow going, i have knever been so knackered, much of it was a plod up to the summit through some was scambling up boulder and rock faces which when still not acclimatised was a killer. On the way up i was as high not just in an geographical way, kind of losing sense of reality {no change there}, with balance all over the shop, headaches, vision gone and the fealing that death was staring me in the face..
The view into the culdera was pretty much amazing if you like clouds, as it was full clouds but it gave off a sulferous stink that reminded me of a few famous farters out there Simon, Lee, Laura, Al, Matt, Em.. to name no names..
The rock formations were amazing, plants very odd and birds very birdlike wings, beaks and feathers - though this could all have been halucinations as i was in such a state.
Now back at the hostal which is ok if bloody noisy, stayed in a dorm first night – may have well slept {or stayed awake} in a convention for clog dancers that love shouting. Anyhow I moved into my own private room which is better though still blooming bad at least I can let one off whithout fear of poisoning 6 kiwi backbapers..
Have met loads of greenies which is good, also Stephen met an American guy whose girlfriend is at the music college up north where you did your degree in playing the one stringed banjo {small world..}.
I am thinking of climbing Cotopaxi 5800m which would be fun though may instead head off to the coast for a few cuba libres, mojitos and to show the dudes on the waves how really to surf….
Anyhow gotta go,
Hasta luego chica’s
Simoncentrodelmundo.
X
PS this email has taken me 3 hrs to write as typing each sentence leaves me gasping for breath and another beer.
PPS my spanish speaker no longer speaks to me as he thinks I have single handedly bastardised the whole of his mother tongue - cest la vie as I said in perfect french!
adios!
