To stand in front of what used to be a sanctuary where the people that inhabited these lands hundreds of years ago practiced their religion induces emotions and questions at first sight. Its immense natural beauty overwhelms as the sights of a crater inside a volcano located on the Andes highlands appears. To witness this landscape feels like being in the inside of earth.
The local wisdom and legend tells that the lagoon was formed with tears of Mama Cotacachi after a fight with Rucu Pichincha volcano where she lost her child (guagua).
“Cuicocha” is a word in the indigenous Quichua dialect that means “The Lagoon of the Gods”
My dear friend Margarita, an experimented mountain climber, invited us to enjoy the wonders of Cuicocha which translated to english it means “The Lagoon of the Gods.” The adventure of a lifetime awaited for us.
Scientists welcomed us in our journey and taught us about the huge biodiversity and the richness of these fertile lands. Bromeliads, orchids, moss, lichens, myrtles, cedars and many other type of plants and trees are the home for hummingbirds, blackbirds, owls and doves. Other terrestrial species such us skunks, armadillos, wild rabbits and many others are also inhabitants of these magical lands.
The volcanic eruptions have been taken place thousands of years ago and that energy can be felt here. The silence and harmony of nature all around us fill our soul with peace and invite our body to explore respectfully the beautiful paths.
By Patricia Rivas
