Spa Junkie

I am a Spa Junkie. The first step to recovery is admitting that I have a problem. Whenever possible, I jump into the nearest spa to get whatever is on order-a massage, my nails done or a steam bath. I can rough it with the best of them, but the girly girl in me can't pass up relaxing in a tub of hot water.

In Quito, I went out of my way to bus over 2.5 hrs to papallacta to enjoy their natural thermal springs and bus back the same day.

In Latacunga, I received a $3 pedicure and a $7 haircut, but I've been creating a disaster plan for my hair ever since. I now have what appears to be a mullet. I try to keep my back hair up during the day so it's not so obvious. At least hair will grow back.

In Banos, about 3 hrs south of Quito, I indulged in everything the city is famous for. I started the morning with a steam bath in what appears to be a vertical coffin. Every 5 minutes over the course of 45 min, I had to leave the steam box and drench myself in cold water to wake up my heart and circulation system.


Later that day, a couple Swiss women, Margot, Tamara and I hit the thermal baths for our evening session. In all the baths I have visited, these might be the hottest. Tamara is trying to fan herself in the photo because the bath is over 110 degrees. I could feel my blood boiling inside. We didn't last long.


During the days, I took advantage of the body and feet massage and facials on offer. At one point, I didn't know if I could gather the strength to leave. The town is in the middle of natural wilderness and besides the spa treatments, the town is overflowing with outdoor activities.


Kate, a Canadian, and I scoured the hillside on our 4x4s, but I became a little nauseous riding it and had to stop before my 2 hours were up. We did drive up to a zipline and we rode it down over the river below. Since I do have my limits, I avoided the bungee jumping stunts and eventually left for Cuenca where I am now.