I had seen something about The Devil Nosed Train ride which sounded real interesting as it was carved into the steep mountainside and over 2500 died building the darn thing. We found our hotel The Europa which was a fine old establishment that needs a little TLC. We toured the town which is real small and had dinner and hit the sack but could hardly sleep with the excitement of the following day's train trip.
After an Ecuadorian beakfast we marched off to the train staion for the big event. We had assigned seats on the right hand side, but the train was not jam packed with tourists,
which was a relief. Down the valley we went, it drops 500 meters in less thn 12km as it zig zags down the rocky slopes of the Andes to Simbabe where it stops for an hour. This is where I was eaten alive by some bloody tiny black like flies that itched like crazy for several day's worse than ny mozzie bites.
Anyhow at this overlong stop the indigenous people performed their dance and you could check out their dwellings, which I didn't participate in, but I did buy a slice of pizza which I regretted.
Then back on the train finally and 20 minutes later we were back at the station in Alausi. I thought it was going to be several hours actually riding on the train, not 20 minutes then wait an hour and then 20 minutes back up, was kinda disappointing and touristy.
I went from Vic Falls to Bulawayo in a compatment with bedding for an overnight journey infirst class for $12 US. Admittedly there was no shower or toilet on the train because they hd stolen everything and there was no lights working either and I ws the only white guy on the train. I could have done that trip three times as oppsed to th Devil Nosed Train trip cost.
The following day we left for Cuenca.
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