Tren Ecuador leaves early a.m. on weekends.  On Valentines' Day it was packed with hundreds of  sweethearts of all ages.  Some of the tourists enjoyed the scenery, many of them had eyes only for each other and never noticed the trees or mountains. ( One has to wonder how many engagements took place that day.)   It is a tourist destination train  across Ecuador to the various volcanoes (some active, but not today).  We were on the train from Quito to Machachi with an historic steam engine built in Philadelphia during the last quarter of the 19th century.  It was a day trip , so the site of six Americans with LOTS of luggage was  an unusual site and a challenge for the train's crew -- what to do with all our stuff?! They were most kind and we were off on time.   

Trains have a universal appeal, dozens and dozens of people lined the streets, stopped work, leaned out of windows and waved as the train moved from the city to the country.(Note:  Graffiti artists are given grants by the government for their work.)   Security motorcycles stayed with the train at all times.   They were there both for security and to serve as Railroad crossing guards by proceeding the train to the next stop to signal the train was on its way!  Very comfortable seats, first class restroom, and club car with fantastic coffees, chips and snacks. 

A short stop afforded time for photos.  As I stood in front of the train for a photo for train-loving grandkids, the train lurched forward - see photo below!   At the half-way point, the historic engine was switched for a new electric one from Spain.   On arrival we were greeted with complimentary cups of a local herbal tea sweetened slightly with pure cane sugar.  From there, passengers walked in the forest, ate in the cafe, and/or visited the few artisans selling crafts.  The most charming artisan was a nine year old girl, who with her mother, made hundreds of small felt trains given as souvenirs to all travelers. 

An hour later, we climbed aboard for the last leg of our journey.  We pulled into Machachi Station to be greeted by two local dance teams telling their cultural history through dance, which included caballeros with lariats and young couples with the young women sewing home goods.  When our train car was called, off we went to lunch in La Granja la Estacion  the grand house of a farmette that was owned by Charito's  father and mother and is now owned and operated by her cousin. 

A second greeting, this time by a Mariachi Band!  Their music was energizing and everyone was ready to dance.  I missed much of the music, as Charito had volunteered me to be interviewed by a local student who had to complete an interview with someone using only English.  What a great kid!  His dream is to move to Miami and go to Pilots School.   Our paths crossed when Charito met his parents (Mom's name is also Charito)  while searching for someone to haul our luggage up the mountain to her house and they volunteered to do so.  So she volunteered me.....we got the light end of the bargain and Charito and I had great fun learning about the family. 

Next was a yummy and lunch served in beautiful surroundings.  After that a trip to the animal farm, with a photo stop in Charito's cousins' carriage and a visiting the animals, which included horses, cows, donkeys, ducks, geese, alpaca's, llama's, pot bellied pigs, chickens, goats and a peacock. 

We spent a relaxing time waiting for transportation to arrive to take us to Charito's home.  Taxis run on a different system in parts of Ecuador than in the States - so flexibility  and patience is required. However, six women (all friends) far away from home with no pressing responsibilities to take care of within the next week and a half are certainly capable of finding things to laugh and talk about. 

Finally, our taxi arrived  (photos of local taxi in a day or so) and we traveled up the mountain road less traveled to Charito's  wonderful cottage "Bella Vista" - our home for the three days.