Day 318 - Cayambe

March 14th – A Carpet, Cheese & Unexpected Encounters

(Ursula) Right after breakfast, we made our way back to the Olga Fisch store in Quito. I had spotted a stunning handwoven Inca-patterned rug there yesterday, dyed in beautiful natural colors. I must have dreamed about it all night!

It was expensive, but one of those must-have moments. Unfortunately, our credit card had expired, leaving us in a bind. But to my surprise, Olga trusted me and accepted a personal check—a rare and kind gesture. I proudly left the store, not just with the carpet but also with a beautiful oil painting. What a treasure!

From there, we set off with Gregor & Ellen to Cayambe, hoping to visit a Nestlé dairy factory. When we arrived, the factory had already closed. But Gregor, never one to give up easily, knocked on the heavy entry gate. To our surprise, the cheese maker himself, Oskar Kägi, answered, still shaking off sleep from an afternoon nap.

He turned out to be a charming and passionate man, eager to show us around. As he guided us through the facility, he spoke with great pride about his craft, emphasizing the “30% mysterious substances” in cow’s milk that scientists were still trying to fully understand. We didn’t dare challenge his belief!

Before leaving, we got the chance to buy some cheese at wholesale prices. The Appenzeller was incredible—rich, flavorful, and aged to perfection.

Our next stop was Lago San Pablo for a bit of fishing, but luck wasn’t on our side. Instead, we had an unexpected reunion with a German teacher we knew from the Humboldt School in Guayaquil.

As night fell, all five of us squeezed into our little camper, sharing tea, laughter, and endless jokes. A perfect end to an eventful day.

Stats: Miles driven 74, Expenses $156.70Read more