Flying high in Quito

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  Quito, Ecuador
Thursday, June 29, 2006

Hola,
We are currently in Quito. We arrived last night around midnight. Our trip there was great. We used our frequent flying miles to upgrade to first class. The flight was perfect. Seats reclined almost into a bed, a foot rest,Personal TVīs. Tons of space in our aisles. It was definitely a great choice for us to make. Plus we were able to get about 3 hours of sleep.
We are staying in old town in a very cute hotel that was built in the 17th century. It is charming. We woke up and met up with our tour guide Lucy and Carlos.
They are wonderful. They took us first to a see the crater of a volcano that many villagers live in now. The ride up is breath taking. Quito is 10,000 feet above sea level so Justin and I have been feeling very out of it all day almost like we are high on something a very odd feeling (dizzy light headed) but we are making the best of it. We have drank huge amounts of water but I think it is going to take us another day to fully acclimate. So, I apologize if my entry is a little off:> .It is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful here. The city is a the base of the Andes mountains and you can see the mountains from all over the city.
We went to the equator today and they showed us how water really does go down the toilet in different directions depending on what hemisphere you are in.
We also learned there is less gravity at the equator and demonstrated this by balancing an egg on the end of a nail. We both tried it and Justin did it, I did not. I personally think it has nothing to do with weight but more with patience and we all know that is not my strongest suit.
We then headed back into the city for lunch and the best ice cream ever. There ice cream is a lot like gelato but light and with lots of fruits. We then toured some of the local churches. They were magnificent!! Huge cathedrals adorned with gold leaf and gold painting. La Compania (the biggest) had seventy tons of gold on the altars! Another, San Francisco, was built in 1509. I think this was the oldest building we both have ever been to. I am full of awe at how much history is in this city.
We just got back from Justinīs Birthday dinner and he had a slice of cake with a candle and we all ( the four people at the restaurant) sang happy birthday in Spanish. Oh Happy birthday Krisitin ( she is the same day). Now we are back in the hotel and will be heading to bed. We are staying Quito another day and half and then heading to some markets outside of the city. We will be in touch soon
Hasta luego ,
court and Justin ( we have been practicing our Spanish ).

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