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Published: March 26th 2011
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Flew back to Quito for the weekend and stayed in the newer Mariscal Sucre area for a different view of Quito. Great location right on Plaza Foch in Nu-House Boutique Hotel. Was so nice to spoil ourselves with HOT showers, TV and someone to do the laundry !
On Saturday night the plaza was loud and wild until about 4am when the street was lined with taxis taking everyone home. We were surrounded by bars, dance clubs, shops and restaurants. Great environment. The streets were packed, not with tourists but with locals. Everyone dressed to the nines, out on the town.
We got up early on Sunday morning to walk to the park. The police close down quite a few streets in Quito on Sundays so that families can bike through town. There were lots of people on bikes. The park we were near was filled with families playing in the playgrounds, vendors selling food, artists displaying their work so we walked, shopped, ate and browsed for hours. Then we found the Central Bank Museum with their display of finds from 12,000 BC up to the colonization. Amazing to see the pottery, tools, household goods, a mummy and more...
from all the cultures that lived here. Then to see all the Inca treasures from when the Inca took over. They have an amazing display of gold artifacts! And finally all the Catholic paintings and statues from when the Spanish took over 500 years ago and brought religion.
Next day we took the bus to Mindo which is a couple of hours away at a lower altitude, in the cloud forest. We didn't stay overnight, just a few hours, to go Zip-LINING at Mindo Ropes & Canopy! Even I tried it..
I shocked eveyone by also agreeing to go upside down. There were 12 cables, some very long and all really high. On a short one I decided to go first since I was feeling a bit brave. I was confused when the guide said don't touch the cable, only scream..... I didn't understand... how can I brake without touching the cable? But he gave me a push and it was too late to ask. That's when the guides decided to "bounce" the cable as I flew along. OMG the screaming!! And when I landed on the other side I had a great view of all the birds fleeing
the area from fright. Sophie and Harry tried "superman" & "mariposa" which are variations of upside down and no hands. They also got the bouncy ride but after seeing me do it first, they had warning. Another line was more "through" the trees and the guides pushed and pulled the cable to make you near miss the trees. It was all great fun. Plus the kids got to ride in the back of a truck taxi to get up the mountain to the zip line. We met a family from Tacoma during lunch and discussed our various adventures. Then wandered a bit and took the bus back.
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