Well, let's see. Nothing much new today. I'm still waiting on that credit card. When I receive it, it will improve my mobility immensely. The good part is, I've really grown to like (almost love) Quito.

This is a rather large city. I've done quite a bit of exploring during the economic downturn I'm currently in. I went around town today looking for that darn cable I need to download pictures from my camera to the computer, thus to the blog. It won't be too long, I discovered the address of the Panasonic service center, which is where I'll be heading out to tomorrow. Seems like everything's on the opposite side of town. The good thing about that is I get to hop on busses, meet people, take pictures, learn the lay of the land. Which has been a wonderful experience. The people here, as I've mentioned before, are lovely, wonderful people. I think I also mentioned before that it's almost a must to speak Spanish. That one's like a see-saw with me. But it's getting better by the minute.

Jim, remember when we started our trip to Alaska? I had a clumsy dimwitted mental state in the beginning. Not being able to think things through, just an overall clumsiness. And remember too how that cleared up after a week or two. After being exposed to my natural mental acuity being in the wild.

Well, it's true this trip too. I think our American society actually does that to us. I'm now beginning to regain that sense of mental sharpness. My Spanish is getting better by the hour. I'm not as clumsy as I try to think of tasks that lie ahead. That clumsy dimwitted mental state was the cause of my current delimma, leaving my wallet on the cab.

I took a walk to Quicentro, Quito's big mall. I was looking for that stupid cable I need. I didn't find the cable, but I did learn where to get it. That's a tomorrow thing though.

I decided that I'd walk back. Good for me. I learned the structure of the roads, how to get around like the ecuadorians, and stumbled onto a couple of jewels.

I found this wonderful little area that seems to attract ex-pats (foreigners living in Quito). Within that area, and off the beaten path, I found a little place called "Coffee / Toffee". I don't know where the name came from 'cause they don't sell Coffee or Toffee! But they do sell a nice cold beer and some nachos that are definitely Ecuadorian interpretations on the theme. Really nice place playing a blend of Elvis Presley, contemporary pop, oldies remodeled into Spanish, etc. I sat on the roof, the only company was a small young family with cute kids who thought that I was someone whose admiration they wanted to earn. It was sweet.

Clouds were gathering around the mountains in an ominous sort of way so I decided I should head back and try to miss the rain. NOT!

Even though I was running from the rain I still meandered my way back to the hostel. Through various neighborhoods. I even saw the beautiful mansion that serves as the Ecuadorian National Symphony's headquarters. Very impressive!

Guess what? The rain caught up with me! I got soaked, like a lot of other people. No worries though, that kind of stuff doesn't bother me at all

One thing I did notice walking back from Quicentro, was that my back was no longer hurting whatsoever. I wasn't having any more altitude issues, I could out walk even the Ecuadorians! I also had a great stride, and i was very mentally present. Pretty good for day five.

Well I'll close this days entry, I'll be eating at the hostel tonight and we're having Camerones esta noche, how could one resist.

Chao