Judith and I decided to go to the Panecillo after doing the Mitad del Mundo. It´s the big hill (or mountain) with the statue of the Virgin on top. According to the Footprints guide, you walk to the bottom of the hill, and can take a cab up there, they´ll wait for 30 minutes, and drop you back at the bottom for $3. Um...not quite!

Anyways, we wanted to do the cab since it is notoriously dangerous to hike up to the Panecillo, and the area is dangerous. Between the two of us, we had about $5 and some change :)

So anyways, we were shooting for what the Footprints guide said. And here´s how it turned out...(all bargaining done in Español courtesy of me).

- Taxi 1: $5 for 1 way, he worked it down to $4, but said to wait for us and return would be much much more

- Taxi 2: Something ridiculouis, I can´t remember!

- Taxi 3: $5 for a 10 minute wait and return, no budging

- Taxi 4: $6 for a 15 minute wait and return, no budging

- Taxi 5: finally, we settled! $5 for a 15 minute wait and return.

So we think the best that a foreigner can get is $5, 15 minute wait. Maybe an Ecuadorian can do better?

We took the taxi on the very bumpy, cobblestone roads to the statue of the Virgin. The view of Quito was amazing!!! You could see the bountains, the snow capped volcano, and the city below. Well worth the $2.50.