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Quick entry to go with Quito photos. Transition from Guatemala to Quito was a little challenging as I became sick (flu/cold) at end of Antigua stay and am just now back to about 85%, but we managed to enjoy Quito nonetheless. I liked it better than I remembered from about 15 years ago - it was much less polluted, much safer, and really bright and sunny during our visit. We stayed at a great little hostel in newer part of Quito with dog who kept guard from terrace. We especially appreciated the hot showers and real towels which weren't available during last two weeks at family home stay, and Zoe loved their swiss hot chocolate.
We spent first day like locals, hanging out in central park on Sunday with many families playing on playgrounds, eating from vendors, and looking at the work of local artisans. We then walked to Colonial (old) Quito and climbed many spiral staircases inside the Basillica - a beautiful gothic church that can be seen from most vantage points in the city. After some more hanging out (and ice cream) in the grand municipal plaza, we checked out the guards at the presidential palace and a beautiful baroque church. Finally we figured out the local bus system - even though the guide book recommended against it - and rode the bus home without problem (that is after we finally found the correct bus stop, the correct change, and the right slot to insert the coins in; funny how complicated things that we do at home without thinking can be when traveling).
For day two, we were more of tourists, riding a double decker, open air bus to all the major sites in Quito, getting off at a gondola ride that takes you 2,000 more feet up over the city (so to about 12,000 feet) with incredible views. Quito is a sprawling city of 2.3 million people and it felt like you could see every one of their houses from up there. Then back to amusement park at bottom of mountain where one third of the rides didn't work, one third had no staff available to run them, annd the other third had no one on them except for Zoe. The one unique ride was this ball that she got in, then they filled it up with air, and then she rolled around in it like a habitrail in a shallow pool of water - she said it was more fun than my description makes it sound.
We were challenged to use our Spanish - especially in terms of being clear what type of cold medicine we wanted at pharmacy (no drowsy, something that stops runny nose rather than unstuffs it) and buying a pass for the amusement park for multiple rides - but muddled through with the help of sign language and kindness of strangers. Ciao for now (lots of Ecuadorians say Ciao instead of Adios, no idea why).
- comments
jeff and john OMG i love this. wow very impressed at taking the city bus. i will tease you however at your spanish. haha. We cant wait for the next installment
Holly Kernan Sounds great. Wish we could be with you for Ecuador adventure, but hearing about it is almost as good. We just got back from bridge jumping and race running in Mt. Shasta. Julia got first place in the 2 mile run. Hugs, Holly, Mike and Julia
Marian Ciao gets more common as you go deeper into the southern cone. The Italian immigrant influence and/or European pretensions. My favorite is Ciao-cito, the diminutive bye bye version of ciao! Take care.