Maybe I should have got my rabies jabs. My most recent runs have consisted of me running down nice quiet tracks, only to find that they are someone’s driveway with an aggressive dog at the end. I have avoided any rabid bites. So far.

My first run in Mindo pretty much panned out like that. I ran down a few surprise driveways until I gave up and headed up the main road, no pavement. Despite not choosing a great route, I still saw some nice things along the way. Including lots of bananas. Bananas grow everywhere in Mindo. Varieties I had never seen before, my favourites being these little stout pink ones. Mindo also has lots of birds, which attract many ‘birders’ desperate to tick off another exotic species on their bird bucket list. I saw some nice birds. I couldn’t tell you what they were but I did find out that there is a species of hummingbird called a ‘hoary puffleg’. Fantastic.

On my first tour of Mindo’s driveways whilst heading down a promising looking track (drive), there were a group of kids playing out. Seeing me running towards them they all screamed and darted for cover in their yards and houses. A red puffing gringo running towards you is clearly something of a rarity in Mindo. When I inevitably had to make the awkward u-turn back, on finding the house at the end of the drive, the kids did the same again; running screaming for cover from the scary monster. Only one brave little girl poked her head around the gate once I was at a safe distance and shouted ‘Hola gringa’ after me. Seeing a white person running seemed not just to shock the children. Making my way back into town, everyone I passed was struggling to contain their sniggers and gasps on seeing my red face. It’s essential to have a sense of humour at these times, or risk developing some sort of complex. I mean I guess they’re laughing at my red face, right?

My second run in Mindo was little more successful. It was however a bright and temperate early evening; lovely running conditions. After running down two very pleasant and long driveways I found the town playing field, with views down to the pretty little town in the mountainous jungle. The environment is sometimes described as ‘cloud forest’; the clouds kiss the tops of the mountains, sometimes enveloping Mindo and its neighbours. Literally having your head (and the rest of you), in the clouds.

It had been a beautiful Sunday in Mindo, and the hub of the village was the pretty river which runs right through. Locals were swimming, socialising and washing there; there was even a little barbecue set up selling grilled plantain and corn. The river festivities were winding down as I passed by on my run, but there were still a few people going for a dip before the sun went down. It was a canny community vibe and I wish now that I had joined them.