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Fresh news in Ecuador!

Rainy days in Banos, Ecuador didn´t stop Kelly and Mike from their adventure! Rafting down the Pastaza River was just the beginning. They decided to take a bike ride on the third and heaviest day of rain! Upon approaching a bridge that Mike had jumped off of once before, they suited up and without a second thought were plummeting towards the rocky waters below despite the pouring rain! This dangerous endevour is called ¨Puenting¨ and is similar to bungie jumping but it just uses climbing ropes and there´s not much give to it. Kelly, being a newbie to this adventure sport, must have done something wrong or not jumped far enough out because upon reaching the end of the rope her head keep going while her body stopped causing a strain in the left side of her neck. Although there is no real damage, the bumpy bus rides since have irritated the soreness leftover from the whiplash. Less than 10 minutes later on the bike ride, the duo encountered a long, dark tunnel which they proceeded to ride through. Less than half way through, Kelly exclaimed ¨Mike! Where are you? I can´t see shit!¨ Seconds later she crashed into the side of the rocky tunnel. She came away with small scrapes and bruises on her elbow, hand and shin, yet she decribes the worst part like this, ¨You know when you are first learning to ride a bike and that bar below the seat gets in the way during the crash...well...let´s just say it doesn´t just hurt for guys!¨


Yesterday´s Top Story: Mike Buys a Random Animal on the Bus

On yesterday´s bus ride from Tena to Quito, Mike and Kelly got front seats!!! Usually this is quite nice, more leg room, less stuffy, and less bumpy. This bus was different, of course, and the door was directly in front of Mike and Kelly´s seats, creating multiple opportunities for passengers to step on Kelly´s toes. Many passengers just take the bus for a few miles and one such toothless passenger entered the bus with a giant bag of tomate de arbol (tree tomato) freshly cut from the tree. This passenger, which will from here forth be referred to as Jorge, placed his bag in front of Kelly and stood in front of Mike. Kelly and Mike continues to play their game of Jeopardy, but pretty soon a furry little rat-like head popped up out of the bag. Around his neck was a dirty string of lace that attached him to the stalk of the fruit. While Kelly is thinking of a challenging question for the category ¨Things that make you go ´hmmmm,´¨ Mike begins conversing with Jorge. Mike says that Jorge needs money for the bus ride and passes him a 10 cent piece. But that´s not enough for Jorge! He wants more and points to the rat-like creature. Mike gives him a 25 cent piece thinking he must have to pay for his luggage as well and Jeopardy is continued. As the bus comes to a stop, Jorge prepares to depart and unties Fred from the fruit and gently sets him in Mike´s lap. Fred, Mike´s name for his new pet, squirms around and Kelly says, ¨Mike! You just bought a rat!¨ After giving Fred back to his previous owner, Mike decides he wants to keep the little guy. Kelly firmly says, ¨NO WAY¨ and Mike waves as his new friend departs the bus. Hopefully, Fred will lead a nice life as Jorge´s pet, yet unfortunately he will likely end up on the grill.