La Libertad

Overloaded for the field we set off for La Libertad today, our lower camp abutting the cloud forests of Sangay. A gorgeous day and once above the valley on the endless back roads there is nary another vehicle to be seen. Big billowy cumulus clouds making shadows over the checkerboard green of the valleys below. A fine day indeed for a drive in the countryside leaving the potholed pavement at a derelict crumbling village in the sun and winding far back amongst the folded hills. So far our luck running true.

About maybe five miles from La Libertad and the end of our road our luck ran out though. Big Blue?s accelerator awakened to a life of its own with unexpected belching roars of protest. The accelerator like a wild animal trapped in 1st gear and trying to get away. I had to just take the key out right there and so Big Blue is broken down once again. I am beginning to get supremely pissed with this beast. So far now the 100% breakdown rate is holding true and the only consolation we have is the gorgeous view of the valley mighty and expansive all around us.

We happened to break down right beside a small farm house, the family just down the hill plowing furrows along the hillside with two huge oxen. Luckily they are very nice and let us roll the truck down to the edge of their little adobe house off the road while telling us of a rare spot a quarter mile distant where sometimes you can pick up cell phone coverage. And then, hope beyond hope! Patricio happens to be at La Libertad today. If you will recall from the last time we went to the field and also broke down Patricio is our Ecuadorian version of MacGayver and something like our guardian angel it seems. Just as we packed up to hike in and meet him expecting the worst lo and hehold, Patricio rolls up in his big white truck looking to us at that moment like some white stallion to our rescue.

I stand in awe and deep appreciation of this man. Literally within 10 minutes he had experimented, deduced the problem, and fixed our ailment. A small lever had broken free regulating the accelerator causing the engine to roar out of control. Some pliers and a few turns here and there and Blue is once again purring like the ornery devil he is.

Not long after we arrived in camp with the students unloading and setting down camp under the gaze of a herd of alpacas on the edge of the primordial eaves of the cloud forest.