Exhausted but in Ecuador

• Dmwalsh's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Quito

Trip Start Aug 08, 2008 Previous
Entry Trip End Ongoing Next
Entry

  Quito, Ecuador
Friday, October 24, 2008

Have so much to write about, but am feeling exhausted and disoriented.  Haven´t had much of an opportunity to process the events of the past week or so, for forgive me if this entry comes out sounding schizophrenic (more than usual).

Up until a few days ago, I had planned on spending my remaining days in Mexico relaxing in Guadalajara, having freed myself from the expectation and pressure of running the half marathon... and then I came to my senses.

I ran the half marathon and finished.  I had just trained too hard and too long not to.  Have a lot of stories to tell from the experience, but the important thing is that it was fun- definitely one of the best things I've ever done with my life.

Immediately following the marathon, I got on a bus to go to Mexico City... again.  Much happiness and feeling at home ensued.   Like running, it was definitely the right thing to do, even if saying goodbye (for the third time) was hard. 

The honest truth is that I started aching for Mexico before my flight had even landed anywhere else.

And now I'm in Quito, Ecuador.

Although it's less glamorous, I've spent a fair amount of time stressing over my airline tickets the past several days.  I had booked a cheap flight to Ecuador back in August, and was sort of naïve about the whole thing.  To me, it seemed like it would possible for me to "skip" segments of the flight, and that's exactly what I wanted to do yesterday (i.e. instead of flying from Guadalajara-Mexico City-Lima-Quito, I only wanted to fly from Mexico City-Lima so I could visit my friend in Peru).  Well, apparently, if you do this, besides having to deal with the hassle of carrying on all your luggage (which must be under 8 kilos and contain no liquids), the airline's computer automatically cancels all other segments of your flight... basically, I wouldn't have been able to get home.

So now, here I sit in Quito, trying to figure out a way to get back to Peru, where I was yesterday.  Two days of bus travel, each way, through the Andes, is sounding less than appealing. 

I've been spoiled by Mexican bus travel, the luxury of which made yesterday's flights seem hellish.  The buses in Mexico are hassle-free and you aren't treated like an animal the way you are at airports. I love the fact that I can buy my ticket home (well, to Nogales, at least) at the Guadalajara Wal-Mart

So yeah... Don't know how Peru is going to work out, and it's driving me a little crazy.

But, if I can just relax a little bit, life is good.  I got off the plane yesterday and was thirsty, starved, exhausted, lost, a little sick, etc., but now I'm taking care of myself and know where I am.

Saw my dada Lucy, a very close friend from Tanzania this morning.  My arrival was an unintentional surprise (again, I am supposed to be in Peru right now), but it was wonderful to see her.  A little strange to navigate just how much we've each changed, the things we've been through, and how similar we still are.  (It's a little bit of a dilemma to know whether we should we talk Tanzania, America, or Ecuador, for example.)  In our hour at the café this morning, I had to hold back from dumping everything on Lucy... it feels entirely natural to tell her all the recent developments in my life (stuff I desperately need to talk about), but I have to remind myself that two years have past and that we have a least a week to spend together.  Very much looking forward to it.

So, that's about it for now.  Will probably head to Peru tomorrow or Saturday, be back here in Quito next week, and will fly back to Mexico and bus on to the US from there.  It's getting close!

Print this entry Share

Previous Entry Next Entry