I am still trying to catch you all up on the adventures that I've had in the last few months here in Ecuador; I must share my birthday trip to Alausí with you! I decided that at 29 instead of a birthday party I wanted a quiet weekend in the mountains with Xavi.... Nevertheless I had a wonderful surprise cake at a party in Quito the weekend before my birthday. The tradition here is that you get cake in your face.
My housemates and girlfriends also made me dinner and decorated with balloons and candles the night before I left for Alausí.
The next morning Xavi and I were off to the small Andean town of Alausí to take the train to the Naríz del Diablo (Devil's Nose). We stayed in a beautiful guest house called Hostería La Quinta, which was formerly the owner's family's house but was converted to accommodate the tourists that visit the quaint town.
The view from the Hostería is gorgeous mountains all around.
There is a big statute of Saint Peter on a hill in the town of Alausí.
Here is the view of the town from the hill:
At the turn of the 20th century there was a train system from Guayuquil on the coast, to Quito in the mountains. After neglect and natural disasters in the second half of the century many sections of it were rendered useless. In the last few years, President Correa declared it a national cultural patrimony and has dedicated funds to the repair of the railway as a tourist attraction.
The portion that we rode was from Alausí to the Devil's Nose Sisambe station. It includes a section of the track that is built as a switchback or railway zigzag. The trip is very steep; it goes from 7697 ft to 6102 ft. Therefore, it needs this mechanism that takes the train in a zigzag pattern using short pieces of rail and switches to move the train back and forth down the very steep part of the mountain instead of going straight down.
These old trains pictured below brought hundreds of tourists at a time out to see Naríz del Diablo. Passengers were allowed to ride on top of the train.
We rode the new trains (I have to get a picture from Xavi to put here!) that are luxury in comparison. They have comfortable compartments and a tour guide that speaks several languages; however passengers cannot ride on the top of the trains anymore.
Here is the Devil's Nose itself:
And some other beautiful views in the area.
The station where the tourists arrive to see the Devil's Nose is close to two indigenous communities who work in the small museum, gift stands, and cafeteria at the station in return for a percentage of each ticket. It is an impressive tourist operation that is very well run. I highly recommend it!
Love,
Aliana
