The Black Dragon built up to a code yellow alert. She was the headline in all the Ecuador papers. She even made the Spanish language version of CNN. She covered thousands of acres with ash. She had an eruption and a major lava flow that threatened a hydro-electric plant.
And then she did what she always does.
She defied all expectations, predictions and anticipations.
She abates.
I left Banos de la Agua Santa. I rode the Devil's Nose, one of the last train rides in Ecuador. I marvelled at the beautiful, enchanted city of Cuenca, the jewel of Ecuador.
And now I am arrived in the Sacred Valley of Vilcabamba.
This is the valley where it is said that the inhabitants frequently live to be well over 100 (however, the scientific observation has failed to verify this).
But it is, nevertheless, the sacred valley, sacred long before the Incans came here.
It is a green, lush place surrounded by distinctive hills and ledges.
Everyone speaks of the energia.
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