First few days in Quito
Trip Start
Jun 15, 2008
1
8
25
Trip End
Aug 15, 2008
Quito,
Ecuador
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Flying into Quito was amazing. The airport is practically in the center of the city, which is high in the mountais (2nd highest capital in the world) which means the view of the city which sprawls for miles and miles into up the hills is pretty spectacular. We grabbed a taxi from outside the airport in which we met "Pablo" a driver with a finger-breaking handshake and excellent information. In fact, everyone in Quito seems keen to talk to us and help us. At first we were a bit suspicious, but it seems they are just geniunely very helpful and (rightfully) proud of their city and country.
Its a nice temperature here, though the altidude can make you a bit lght headed at times. Yesterday, we managed to navigate the tram system to get into the old colonial part of town, full of very beauttiful churches and colonial buildings and squares. One of the highlights was our coffee stop (no, of course our spell in caracas did not make us bored of coffee) at "vista hermosa" (beautiful view) cafe, appropriately named with an amazing panoramic view accross the city from the high terrace.
Quito
Another reason for me liking this place is because our waiter thought I was Spanish, though maybe this was a trick to flatter us into a generous tip. Mind you, its hard to resent tipping or the prices here, everything is incredibly cheap (especiallyafter Venezuela). Our Hostel, called la Galeria, is $16 a night between us for which we are staying in a sort of suite with a bacony, 2 beds each and best of all free internet. Food is also cheap: set lunch everywhere of soup then a meal costs $2! Our hostel companions include a VERY american group of 30 who are here on a church tour and are much to happy for it to be healthy. Imo and I were saying, it makes us want to use lots of very English phrases and say things that make them doubt the deliverance of our souls. Last night they were threatening to have a sing song with a guitar outside, but luckily for us, as we were pretty shattered, they refrained. Plans: tough call. There´s so much to do here. We are thinking about getting the cable car up the hill side, and we still want to visit the basilica which apparently serves good coffee at the top of the clock tower. Funny how all our plans these days seem coffee motivated.....
Oh, also, so far my phone has not had any signal, so sorry if anyone has called/texted!
The very crazy french owner of the hostel informs me with manic grin that it is raining on wimbledon today. Shame: its quite sunny here.
lots of love,
Penny xxxx
