My eyes snap open, my heart is thumping erratically, I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I don’t believe I have ever been more aware of my consciousness as time begins to slow. In the total darkness of midnight I lift my head from the pillow and feel the warm blankets being shuffled frantically. In one swift movement Logan has bounded from the bed to the camper door and swiped the keys from their hook. The truck alarm echoes throughout the Otavalo foothills for only a few seconds.
An eerie fog settles in Otavalo
Now enveloped in silence we stare at each other wordlessly in the darkness. Our minds are racing but we remain motionless. The alarm is triggered only by a broken window or by a door opened without the aid of a key. Peering out the windows reveals nothing as the fog and darkness have partnered to create near perfect invisibility. Moments later Logan is circling the truck with a maglite and I am feeling foolish, standing guard at the camper door with our only kitchen knife.
Happily no windows are broken, no forced entry can be detected. This fortunate yet anti-climactic conclusion is a perfect example of our constant sense of anxiety. We are miles outside of our comfort zone and we start each day with a healthy dose of reality. Bad luck and broken windows can happen anywhere, to anyone.
OMG!! What a night for all of us!!!
Luckily our first and only nail biter was just a spook!
We travel to Otavalo often with or groups of painters and adventure seekers. Ecuador is one of our favorite places and Otavalo is high on our list as one of the safest places we know. The people are sweet and very honest. Don’t worry – be happy, and have a good time. We have lots of friends and good contacts if you want to get connected in Ecuador. We are happy to introduce you as we have followed your travels for the past couple of months now. I think a couple of our friends (Luis and Lacy of Lost World Expeditions) are also in Ecuador at this time. John and Anita
We truly enjoyed Otavalo, especially our campsite outside the town
limits. This was really more of a ghost story to emphasize the idea
that, when your house is in the back of your pick up truck, you have to
stay on your toes. We’re actually in Peru now but hope to meet up with
Luis and Lacey soon. Many thanks for following our blog and the kind
offer of introductions – might take you up on it if you know anyone in
Peru!
Wouldn’t want to fight Logan with a Mag light. You’re in good hands.
I’d have to agree with you Neil, my husband is Cal-ESAR certified after all
do you guys want to buy some stun guns? I’m selling…
TREE