Everybody say "Chimenea"!

Trip Start Feb 20, 2008
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Trip End Aug 20, 2008


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Flag of Ecuador  ,
Monday, March 17, 2008

We woke up to an unusually clear & sunny morning, where both we could see both volcanoes which flanked our hilltop hostel. After a quick breakfast of bananas and Nesquik (mmmmm i love Nesquik!), we headed down and caught the very first passing bus to Quito. That took us all of 40 seconds to get out of the cab and onto the bus. Ecuador's transnational bus services impresses me muchos.

After navigating Quito's bus terminal (Terminal Terrestre Cumanda) where we had to pay a bizarre 20cents 'departure tax', we found a departing bus (very quickly, I must add) and it proceeded to go loopy loop all around Quito to pick up enough passengers. Still, we got to Hosteria Papagayo, a 150 year old barnhouse turned hostel. It was a 500m uphill trek up in the rain, and wimpy old me was kinda breathless by the time I trudged into the pleasant property.

We decided to go for the US$9/person/night room, but I was soon shivering and feeling uncomfortable Travel route so far
Travel route so far
 . As the place was rather empty, we managed to switch, for US$11/person/night, to a room "con chimenea" (with chimney - i.e.: fireplace). Ohhhh thank the heavens above, I would gladly pay the $2 difference! While we ate dinner at the tiny but pleasant dining room here, the staff made our fire for us. It's now much warmer and I think I can finally have a decent night's sleep.

So, I can safely say my favourite Spanish word is "chimenea" now. Es muy importante para mi!!

Altitude here: 3,200m.
Temperature: Feels like 5 degrees or so outside. Brrrr.
What Feli is wearing: full set of thermals, t-shirt, 2 x jackets, scarf, jeans, 2 pairs of socks.
What Rob is wearing: long sleeved top and surf shorts.

The man has thick skin. What can I say?

Cheers,
Felicia "Chimenea" Wong
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