December 13: Chugchillan

(1) I arrived in Quito at around 4am after a painful overnight bus ride. I then had to take another bus to Latacunga and yet another bus to Chugchillan. People had warned me that getting to this mountain village was a pain, but well worth the effort. There were only a few travelers on this last bus, which drove along a hair-raising ridgeline. Eventually, the journey became slightly less terrifying. However, once things seemed to be on easy street, we encountered a minor setback in the form of a giant metal pipe laying across the road. The issue was soon resolved and it only set us back about an hour.

(2) Considered by Outside Magazine as one of the top 10 eco-lodges in the world, the Black Sheep Inn is co-owned by an American couple, Michelle Kirby & Andres (Andy) Hammerman. Serving the very best vegetarian dinners on the planet, and offering an exciting education on eco-tourism, there simply aren't enough great things I can say about the Black Sheep. It's more expensive than most places one might stay in Ecuador, but it's worth every penny. Make it happen.

(3) This is the view from one of the composting toilets. Being an eco-lodge, even human waste is used in some way (mind you, not as fertilizer for the vegitable garden). It's something new to get used to, but where else can you enjoy a lovely garden and inspiring panorama from the comfort of warm toilet seat?

(4) How to use a composting toilet.

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