Cotopaxi Trip Day 5

Monday August 25

Yesterday the Swiss couple asked when we are going back, and I said Monday. They asked if we could wait until the afternoon so they could go back with us and split the cost of the taxi. We said that it was ok as there was no certain time we had to be back.

The taxi would take us to our home and take them to Secret Garden in Quito. The cost would be $40, so it would be $20 per couple. The other way to get back would be to take a local taxi to Machachi, which would be $15. Then take a bus to Quito, then a taxi from this bus stop. From Quito it would be $10-$12, plus it would take more time.

I had already asked Tarquin if it was possible for the driver to take us to Conocoto, and he said yes. This was great!

Tarquin also offered a ride back with him and Katherine, and that it would cost us nothing. But Jayne wouldn’t like riding back with their two children – which misbehave. Also, one worker would go back with them. There really wouldn’t be enough room. So, Jayne said that we would go back later, but we didn’t tell them the reason.

This morning a group of people went to Cotopaxi, including the Swiss couple.

When Tarquin and Katherine left, they didn’t take their children with them and the other worker decided to take a trip to Cotopaxi. However, they didn’t tell us this and off they went. Had we known we would have ridden with them? As it turned out we would have to wait until after 3pm when the other couple came back.

In the afternoon another three guests arrived. Then we all had lunch.

When the group came back, the Swiss couple told us that they would like to stay longer so they could go back to Cotopaxi – this time climb to the very top. He told us they were sorry. I told him that we didn’t like having to wait and, by implication, that we would have to pay for the taxi ourselves. I could really understand their point, so I let it go.

The taxi driver that brought the other guests also waited about two hours.

I guess Tarquin was told about this on the phone, as the worker, Georgia (a guy), said, “Would $30 be ok.” We said yes.

So, we left with him at 3.55pm. We were in the town of Machachi, when the drive got a call. He said he’d be there in five minutes. As it turned out, he met six other people (a family) who were going to Secret Garden Cotopaxi. He got them another taxi and they were off to the hostel. This wait was only about 10 minutes. Then we were off to Conocoto. We arrived home about 5.40pm.

It was a good trip there, but we were also glad to get home.

Jayne and I talked for awhile about the good and bad points of the trip.

It would sound like the trip was bad, but there were many good points to it. There was the peace and quiet (when not near the children). The fresh air, the beautiful view, the conversations with Tarquin and the guests and the great food.

So, ends our trip to Cotopaxi.