Over the past few weeks we have had the opportunity to visit the nearby town of Murillo several times. A small urban center with a total population including rural areas of just over five thousand residents, Murillo is definitely a hidden gem located 3050 meters above sea level.
Here's a look at early dawn from a friend's recently-opened hostel, Ksa Andina.
We got up early and were birding around town, enjoying the views and taking pictures of the sunrise.
Because of the high elevation, Murillo is a strangely cold town for the ordinary tropical traveller. Between 6pm and 6am winter clothing is required. Luckily, they know how to make a nice warm breakfast.
My wife is becoming quite popular in Murillo, not only is she a trained, certified and registered 'National Tour guide', from the first class of a growing group of local tourist guides being trained by the state education program, but she is one of the few bilingual guides in the region. Whenever there are tourists that don't speak spanish, she gets called up to put her english skills to the test. It also means she knows all the neat secret spots around town.
One morning, with my sister-in-law and mi suegra, we took a walk down to a nearby waterfall, less than 15 minute walk outside of town.
That day was Father's Day, and I tooktook the opportunity to record a short video:
I have been very blessed in this life with a great father and many strong father figures. This is off topic, but I worry about the continued degradation of family unit and the role of men/fathers in general; yes masculinity can be toxic, but then you're not doing it right. I strive to serve as a positive example to the many members of the younger generation already in my life, many of whom do not have nearly as many examples of positive masculinity that I have had.
One thing you cannot escape on the margin is the sheer rurality of existence. Right off the central park, this mother was spending Father's Day with her children selling a litter of cute spotted pigs. I was tempted to buy one, but I didn't have the ~40 usd equivalent, plus we are in a 'no more animals' phase on our farm.
But you just don't see pigs like this every day!
High-mountain Murillo has many treasures, but is largely unknown and historically hard to access. But with the training of local guides and the development of more closed-circuit routes, Murillo is preparing itself to open up to the world.