It´s my last day in Quito today so I just thought I´d update this as I don´t know what the connection will be like when I get to Tena (as it´s on the edge of the Amazon). Yesterday I had another 5 hours of Spanish lessons and then I took a taxi to "el Teleferico", a cable car which goes 4,050m up the Pichincha mountain....but it was closed for maintenance! So...$10 and lots of difficult negotiations in Spanish later, I found myself in the old town. I went to look round La Compania, a church with an elaborate entirely gold interior, unfortunately you´re not allowed to take photos! I got yet another taxi back from the old town - taxis here are so cheap that it´s (usually) easier than braving a scary bus. The buses don´t really obey bus stops - you just get on and off where you want! This taxi trip gave me another chance to practice my Spanish as the driver insisted in engaging me in conversation the entire way...

Today I´ve had my final Spanish lesson. I feel like I´ve learnt quite a lot but we´ll see when I find myself in the middle of nowhere with people that only speak Spanish and Quichua! After I finished my Spanish I went to the Teleferico (again) and it was working this time - amazing views up the mountain, but it was quite cloudy so my photos aren´t too good. I haven´t managed to upload any photos yet, the computer doesn´t seem to want to let me. Tomorrow morning at 8am I´m getting a bus to Tena (takes about 6 hours) where I´ll be starting my volunteer work on Monday...