Challenging undertaking

Tell ITN about the funniest thing that ever happened to you while traveling in a foreign country. (ITN prints no info on destinations in the United States.) There are no restrictions on length. The ITN staff will choose each month’s winner, who will receive a free one-year subscription to ITN. Entries not chosen cannot be acknowledged.

This month’s winner is LESLEY TAMULEVICH of East Haven, CT:

My husband, Kevin, and I live at sea level and recently traveled to Cuenca, Ecuador, which is located nearly 8,500 feet up in the Andes Mountains. We did not realize the effect that altitude would have on us.

On the first day, we walked to town following the directions given to us by the manager of our hotel. The route was a long, steep, uphill road which had a 90-degree left-hand turn at the top. We took our time; still, the climb was difficult.

When we reached the top of the hill, we were winded and stopped to catch our breath. Leaning against a building, I glanced up, pointed and said, “Look!”

My husband turned, then commented, “I know why that’s there.”

The store across the street sold caskets.