Today we left Mindo to head back to Quito. On our way to Quito we spotted a wildfire on the mountain. Diego explained that wildfires are not uncommon on sunny days. The UV index was especially high today. However, there are not many firefighter departments in Ecuador. Also, while natural fires can actually be beneficial to the environment, some groups of locals will intentionally start fires. These groups believe that the smoke from the fires make clouds which will eventually bring rain. This misconception is detrimental to fire awareness and the government has programs to educate people about why this is incorrect, but many still hold this belief.
Quito was built in the foothills of the Pichincha volcano. Pichincha is still an active volcano but it has not erupted since 2002. On top of the volcano are hiking trails and a cafe. We took a gondola to the top of Pichincha. The view from the top not only took our breath away due to the high altitude but also because of the view. I could see all of Quito below me while at the top of Pichincha. In Ecuador it seems that living in close proximity to a volcano is inevitable.
After visiting Pichincha, we headed to Pacari. Pacari is a chocolate company that is based in Ecuador. At Pacari we attended a chocolate tasting which included a presentation about caco and the company. Excavation projects that took place only 3 years ago in Ecuador found cacao that is 5,500 years old indicating that cacao originated in Ecuador. Pacari is a high end chocolate company that takes great care in selecting high quality Ecuadorian cacao. For example, Pacari takes into consideration that different pods may be different colors which may indicate a difference in the flavor. Pacari is very unique compared to other chocolate companies not only because of the product itself but methods they use to produce their chocolate. Paraci’s logo is a man and a tree which symbolizes the company's desire to preserve the connection between human beings and nature. Pacari is socially responsible and pays farmers a living wage unlike most companies that produce chocolate. The company is also very environmentally friendly. All of their products are vegan which reduces the environmental impact. They use recycled plastic (from banana trees) and wood create a mock greenhouse to dry the beans. Pacari also has a partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Visiting Pacari was a great experience. As a chocolate lover and environmentalist I appreciated Pacari’s dedication to social and environmental responsibility.