November 23, 2016
So, today we left Chugchilan and the wonderful Black Sheep Inn. We had Washington come to pick us up at 8:30 so that we could enjoy another lovely breakfast at a reasonable hour instead of getting up to catch the 6 am bus. I’ll let you take guesses which one of us was the diva that needed that.
Washington was supposed to drive us to the Latacunga bus station so we could catch a bus to Ambato, and from there catch one to Riobamba. Instead, at the last minute, our hotelier said Washington would drive us to the Panamerican highway and would wait with us and help us catch a direct bus to Riobamba. It took just a few minutes and we said goodbye to Washington and were on our way.
I’m amazed at the vast number of goods one can buy onboard the bus from the various vendors who hop on and off. Snacks, check. Drinks, check. Disposable razors? Why yes, that too.
We arrived in Riobamba by 12:30, navigated to our hotel, and no one was there to let us in. Another American arrived and she let us chill in her room till 3:30 until the hotelier arrived, let another couple into our room, and said there was some misunderstanding as she was now full at that place. They had double booked us. (Insert Anika nearly losing cool here) Thankfully, but not at all happy about it, they had another room for the same price, just further from the center of town. Fine, whatever, we’re only here this night and by now its 4 and we actually had stuff to do today. ( Hello, laundry?)
Our Hotmail is working, our trek is organized, and tomorrow we set out for Camino del Inca, which is what we are here for anyway.