Baños (Ecuador) - rumble near the jungle

Roughly in the centre of Ecuador, in a valley of volcanos, lies a small town named after the thermal springs which are prevalent here. Right now, the mother volcano Tungurahua herself is pretty lively, spewing out flaming hot rocks and rumbling day and night. The locals don't seem to be concerned and so I am following their lead. Besides, the authorities have an efficient evacuation plan and, given this is Latin America, that puts my mind at full ease. I might be the only one fleeing anyway. Apparently the villagers have been evacuated before, only to return to find their houses looted by the local cops. It was a band of grannies that last time refused to leave and marshalled the rest of the population.

This town is touristy, very touristy and I have not even seen a weekend yet. But it does this in a very tranquil way and most of the visitors are from other places in Ecuador - not gringos. The hot topic in town relates to the ravenous 'gringa hunters' who work as guides for the many outdoor pursuit companies. They are pretty successful too, with many a dreamy-eyed backpacker believing they are the special one, only for said guide to notch another mark on his bedpost and hit the bars the following night. Amusing stuff and, I guess, a change from the opposite happening in touristy towns in most other parts of the world.