Just coming to the end of three days in Quito - we are about to head off for the Amazon basin. Quito has been an interesting introduction to South America - an armed guard outside the hotel, people jumping on and off buses at street corners (they don´t stop just slow down), crowded markets, streetside foodstalls, colourful buildings made out of concrete which you are convinced have´t been finished. The people are very laid back and friendly although my communication with them is mostly through smiling, shrugs of the shoulders and pointing. You would never believe that I had a (part) language degree! Ín the past couple of days were seen most of the old town (which is a UNESCO heritage site), the statue of the Virgin on one of the hills (think Rio but smaller)
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