Video 4 - Ecuador & Peru - www.jonsaltzman.com

Hi folks, thank you for exploring into Part 4 of my SOUTHERN RIDE ... let me share a small introduction.

Part 4 begins at the Equador border with Jon riding to Otavalo to see the largest Indian market in Equador. Cock fights are held and wagered. In Quito, the capital, riots break out and after 3 weeks are brought under control with armored vehicles and tear gas. Jon calls it "sinus medicine" in a can. The fantastic ballet in Quito with 60 performers is absolutely excellent! Esmeraldas and Sua are beach resorts on the Pacific. Banos in eastern Equador is noted for its waterfalls and hot bathing springs. Jon's ride high along the river valley to Shell-Mera is spectacular and shared with 2 French motorcyclists. It was nearly impossible for the Waterbuffalo to climb up the steep muddy Andean trail to Ingapirca, the only significant Indian ruins in Equador. Huaquillas is a seaside town near the Peru border.

After crossing into Peru, Jon and the Waterbuffalo are a sensation among the taxi drivers who rode 3 wheel motorcycle taxis in Piura. Santa Rosa is a small fishing village with huge colorful fishing boats that are pushed out in the sea with a farm tractor. Unbelievable! Ancient designed reed Caballetos are still used. Andian songs are sung while the fishermen clean their catch and mend their nets. There are fish everywhere! Sipan is a rich, newly discovered Indian ruin that was being excavated while Jon was there. In Nazca, Jon films the famous lines from an airplane and a viewing stand. Jon and the Waterbuffalo get lost in the desert while looking for an ancient burial ground. At Camana, Jon is shown crop harvesting on irrigated land by a local girl and her father. Arequipa is interesting and a stepping stone for a flight to Cusco. With the help a a body guard, Jon films the local Indian market where "sheep head stew" is served. The train ride was a steep ascent from Cusco to Agua Calenties which contains excellent rare film footage. Machu Picchu, world famous, is certainly overfilmed but it is truly an awesome sight at 8,000 feet elevation looking down on the river below. Jon climbs Hauna Picchu to 10,000 feet elevation for a more fantastic view. Part 4 ends with the Waterbuffalo out of gas which leaves Jon stranded in the lonely Atacama desert, the driest place on earth! DON'T MISS PART 4!!!

	The Waterbuffalo sits high above the river valley that runs between Banos and Shell-Mera in Equador. In this photo you can see over 25 kilometers and the ride that day was an awesome delight!
	The beautiful, rich, highly productive farm land here is over 8,000 above sea level near Ingapirca Equador.
	Jon carried a hammock the entire journey in South America. Once accustomed to the crazy thing, it is more comfortable and cooler than a bed --- if you don't fall out!
	Milk from high in the Andes Mountains is delivered down to the villages by horse, burro, llama or by women carrying buckets.
	Sometimes, Jon and the Waterbuffalo took the "Special Wimp Clause" which means they spent money to get a ferry rather than ride through the shallow but infested rivers.