Estamos aqui seguramente – We are here safely
Hola a todos. Ya llegamos a Quito ayer por la noche. Yo se que la mayoria no hablan español y entonces sere amable y escribir en ingles.
We are here safely! After our long day of travelling, and it sure was long, we arrived in Quito at a little after 11 last night. The Bogota airport was not too bad because we never had to leave the areas that were secured. Once we arrived in Quito we had no problems getting through customs or getting our bags. We went to have them call a taxi and they had one there for us to take us right here to our hostal, the Secret Garden. We are staying in the 6 bed dormitory which was a bit noisy last night, so we did not sleep too soundly, but we slept in so we felt pretty good when we woke up this morning. Then we got our things together, got some purified water and locked our valuables in a locker and headed out to the Mercado Central, where there are rows of stands of local foods being sold. I ordered a batido of tomato de arbol which is tomato tree juice and it was excellent. Then Al ordered corvina con arroz y sopa de camarones which is sea bass with rice and a shrimp soup. It was a really good first meal here in Ecuador. We walked to the Basilica where we walked around and found some peace. Then we walked south to the Centro Historico where there are many old colonial plazas and buildings with colonial architecture which I don´t know if I have fully appreciated considering I know almost nothing about architecture. We went to plaza Santo Domingo, plaza San Francisco, Plaza Grande and then we came back to the hostal for more water and a restroom. It was hard but we did find one eventually when we were out today, there are not too many to be found. We paid 10 cents to use it and they gave us a little toilet paper, and none of the toilets had seats, and you dare not put the paper in the toilet before you flush, you have to put it in the basket next to the toilet. General Ecuadorian bathroom etiquette. We came back to the hostal to study the map and we walked almost the entire length of the new town up to a beautiful view near barrio Guapulo. We walked down the stairs entering into the barrio before we realized there was not much to see there so we turned around. But this time it was much harder because it was uphill in one hour. These Andes are making us feel the altitude and we were very much out of breath but we made it back here before dark. We were just up on the terrace where they had live Andean music and we had bowls of potato, cheese and avocado soup. Tomorrow we plan to find the famous goat stew in the restaurant below the cathedral which is only served from 9-11 in the morning. Then we will try to find CENIT and introduce ourselves and look at some of our housing options for while we are here in Quito. We have been cautious with our stuff and so far have not felt any major security risks. It kind of feels like NYC in that when you are out in public you cannot take your guard down and you have to keep your bag zipped and really close. Al and I have been doing really well speaking almost exclusively in Spanish, in fact it is annoying me to have to think and write in English right now.
Tags: Quito
annieandal
I am sorry you have to write in English, but I appreciate that you do, or I’d have now way of finding out about the exciting things you are doing! I am so glad that you both made it safely and are exploring/seeing/eating/trying so much! Maybe you could keep a recipe journal/section of your journal and then have a Latin-America-in-NY party when you get back?
Ok, I miss you lots and lots. Keep having lots of adventures and keep us posted!
*hugs*
love always,
surrogate boyfriend.
=D
Hello! It is relieving to hear that you have made it safely and that you feel no major security risks… :) I think about the two of you often and cant wait until you are home again. I will keep you in my prayers throughout the semester. when you have computer access drop me a quick email if you have time… alot has happened here and i dont want to leave it on the blog… be careful, God Bless, Love always, Jen aka daughta flippin
hey guys! I’m glad to hear that you have made it safely. It sounds like you’re having quite the adventure! i’m so jealous. Can’t wait until you guys are back in the States :) btw I got you guys a sound system for the wedding, if you want it. I can play music off my ipod-whatever you want. take care! love, Kryn, Ashley, and Alice