Arrival to Pallatanga

 

About two hours out of Guayaquil in the mountains is the very productive yet quite town of Pallatanga.

After getting off the bus on the side of the main road that runs adjacent to this pueblo I step into a shop to ask if there is accommodation nearby. It so happens there is and within 30 seconds I arrive at my destination.

My accommodation was to be found above a tienda (like a dairy). I was informed in the most casual manner to go up the stairs and find a room. 

Here was the view from the balcony next to my habitation

The room that i shared with a few spiders

After putting my belongings in the room I head off to explore this pueblocito. I ask if there is a key to lock my room and she tells me that here in Pallatanga it isn't necessary. So reluctantly I leave all my possessions behind and  head out to scout out then town. (I latter learn that if someone is caught stealing the people at times take things into there own hands and it isn't pretty, the perpetrator if lucky is rescued from the hands of the people by the police.)

It takes me about 10 minutes to scout around the town centre make a purchase and make some conversation. I make a phone call from a public phone to speak with the co-ordinater of the local congregation (A friend of Jay and Cheryl's he was there C.O in Ecuador) to establish where the field service group will be in the morning. Then it was back to my accommodation.

There in the shop below I meet an old gentleman who comes here from Riobamba because the climate is agreeable for his health.(Riobamba is situated at an even higher altitude and so can be quite cold) We tells me a few storeys including taming wild snakes with milk afterwards when I ask what time the people here eat he discerns the reason for the question and leads me to a nearby restaurant where I am treated to a delicious soup of Locra and the subsequent main.

That night I learn that Volley ball is very popular here. In this town there are many places where the arrange to play this game, and sometimes as seen below it is on the street.

 

The following morning I meet with the local brothers and sisters for field service. Afterwards I'm introduced to some local fare! Before the photo below was taken I took a photo of this pig which I thought quite amusing, little did I realize that shortly I would be eating its skin!! With a little salt of course. mmmmmm

I visit the Salvatierras for lunch (Special pioneers serving in this congo) and Im shown how using soya beans the make soya milk and even mayonaise! Cheap and healthy. Bueno, Barrato y Bonito

 

 

Latter on Unbierto shows me his coffee tree from which he harvests, drys, roasts and grinds his own coffee! Cafe puro and unadulterated! Ive since enjoyed many a cup of coffee from this generous brother and his coffee tree.

If harvested once the beans have turned red the coffee is less biter and actually I've found the coffee to have a subtle sweetness about it. 

Certainly a productive an industrious little town.