Riobamba
Riobamba has the largest percentage of indigenous people in Ecuador. It is surrounded by small interesting villages near Chimborazo. It is famous for the “Devil’s nose train” but unfortunately you are no longer allowed to ride on the top of the train as some tourists were killed this way. In fact the trains are all new and very comfortable with smartly dressed guides and only for tourists so unlike the rickety train I first jumped aboard. The “Devil’s nose train” goes through the middle of the town and takes you to Alausi and on to a series of switchbacks which are interesting. The Quito to Riobamba line has just been rebuilt and is open again. Riobamba has great Saturday markets full of interesting villagers coming into town. It is also famous for its many religious festivals. I spent all day wandering round soaking up the atmosphere. Riobamba is a city if 200,000 people hill people brightly coloured ponchos and hats, very weather beaten and long drindle skirts. I saw beauty parade-Miss Ecuador. I had a great cup if coffee but not a coffee culture city so I had to struggle to find a cafeteria. Cathedral was bland although fab outside facade I did not get into basilica. Alausi is a small town with an indigenous market on a Sunday where you can buy fruit and vegetables form the locals in their brightly coloured scarlet, pink or bottle green ponchos.
