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I'm trying something different today. I'm writing my journal in realtime, I'm taking a break from walking to the Mariscal District and sitting on a park bench in Parque Ejido. I'd like to see if this method effectively saves me time in the evenings, as I'm currently spending 1 1/2 - 2.0 hours writing journal, uploading pics, adding comments to pic, etc.
The weather's typical today and it seems pretty quiet being Tuesday. I'm about to get up and head over to mariscal to look for an acceptable tourist agency. I'm eager to see what the fare is going to be to Bogata, so I can makes reservations a few days early once my CC arrives.
While waking through the park I stopped at a vendor's cart and ordered an orange juice. When you order orange juice in Quito it's "always" fresh squeezed into your plastic cup, I've never seen it done any other way. It's always delicious. I took a picture of a cut watermelon. As you can see when you look at it, watermelon here grows differently internally, than in the states. The seeds inside grow in a spiral fashion. I suppose the difference occurs from the many years of genetic modification that's occurred in the American melon business. It sounds funny, but it's a serious indication of the modified direction we've taken with our food products. Just around the corner, as i was thinking of just this topic, i saw an advertisement for McDonald's that i photographed (see photos). I guess that's McDonald's solution to quench one's thirst Enough of that...
Walked into several tourist agencies and got some prices for travel to Columbia, not too bad, about $360 one way. If I come back down via bus, total travel cost would be about $420.00. I need to think about that.
Just had lunch at Uncle Ho's, and experienced my first real dining disappointment, sad to say. I've been feeling a little washed out lately, so I thought I'd go for the Pho, thinking a nice hot rich broth soup would nurture and help me get some strength back. Gee, what a disappointment. (see photos). It was a very weak attempt at what's actually a pretty simple dish. Worst part, it was $7.00, I can get it cheaper in San Diego. I guess it goes to show you it's not a panacea here. You can find find crap anywhere you go. Though I have to add, Uncle Ho's is owned by a French dude. But still, the French should have a pretty good idea of what good Vietnamese food is all about. Just listen to me go on about this, I guess I really was disappointed.
As I spend time here, I've developed impressions that aren't necessarily base on a single experience. I want to capture those impressions, so from now on, I'll randomly insert something like the following into my journal as I think of them:
IMPRESSION
Quitoans use a lot of butane. I think it may come from an underdeveloped gas delivery system. Perhaps because of frequent earthquakes, which would probably damage underground delivery matrix. I took a picture of one of the delivery trucks, which i see running around all over the place. I don't know, I'm just guessing.
IMPRESSION
I'll insert just that way, keep in mind these are not facts, they are interpretations developed through a history of experiences.
Well after three cokes and some bad soup, I think I'll be moving on. Don't really know the direction I'll go, but that's part of the fun.
Stopped by Finns and had a couple of coke and did some interneting to research prices for airfare to bogota (under consideration).
Arrived back at hostel around 5:30p and ran into a Dutch couple I met earlier, we had a brilliant conversation; they bought me a beer, and now I'm off to Chifa Cantonese, for a little Chinese food. I'm feeling more robust now and think I can handle it. Then it's off to bed. Sorry for the terse ending, but I'm hungry.
Ciao,
-robert
- comments
Jim Typical french food bland over priced small portions, sorrry I just never cared much for french food. I thought Pho was spicy enough to take the enamal off your teeth. Chinese food sounds good. I started my dinner off with a very nice peice of pork that I seared and then cut up into small bite sized peices. I comtinued to cook that with garlic, onions, jalapeno peppers, a liberal dash of mixed peppers (mrs Dash) and some slap your mama. After about 5 minutes I added carrots, cellery, more onions, stir to coat and cover to steam, 5 more minutes then add brocolli, cauliflower, red cabage stir to coat pinch of salt steam until desired tenderness. I prefer mine aldente or with a little crunch. Then I noticed that I forgot the mushrooms that I bought so I guess I'll have them in a salad tomorrow. I made enough for 4 and it will be even better after it is reheated. Have a good week, Jim