Blogs from Quito, North, Ecuador, South America - page 20

The day started well yummy breakfast at the Hilton Colon, then sunshine as we ventured out to walk to the botanic gardens. Firstly we visited the cultural centre which is closed on Mondays but looks promising to visit tomorrow. A stop at a cafe for delicious apple cake and then onwards. The walk was much longer than we thought and then we came across a shopping centre, so unlike the Quito we had come to know. It was just like any modern shopping mall, with up market shops (no one in them) and all marble and stainless steel we could have been anywhere and on the top floor yes the restaurants, Macdonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut yes it was all there and very few EcuadorIan restaurants. Leaving the mall behind we eventually arrived ... read more

Na de stop-over in NYC, ging ons Zuid-Amerika avontuur dan toch echt beginnen. 's Avonds landden we in Quito, de hoofdstad van Ecuador. En gelijk met een geweldig begin, we werden opgewacht door de super aardige familie van Veronica & Frans (familie van Marissa), waar we bleven logeren. In hun mooie grote huis, kregen we ons eigen kamertje en al gelijk allerlei tips over Quito. Byron, Daniel, Josue en de moeder van Veronica waren allemaal super aardig en heel leuk om ze te leren kennen. Ze vertelden allerlei verhalen over Quito, Ecuador, tradities, de cultuur etc. En wat een goede oefening voor ons spaans zeg!! Echt heel leuk om dat weer zo heel de tijd te praten. Al waren we ook wel blij als na een lange vermoeiende dag Josue ff zijn engels wilde oefenen ;). ... read more

We have a saying in the UK, usually used when the powers that be suddenly step in and stop you doing something (or apply a load of rules and regulations to something) that you're capable of doing without mishap, because someone lacking in common sense may or may not injure themselves whilst carrying out said task...... 'Health and safety gone mad' After a day of wandering the city my first impression of Quito, and I’m guessing this may apply to much more of South America, is that if it was possible this city is the exact opposite of that saying, but as I can’t think of what the exact opposite to the silly saying would be I’ll settle with ‘Wozers, I can’t believe we were allowed to do that’ and also ‘Sorry Mum, I promise that ... read more

Today, we traveled back to Quito to the airport. Glad to be going home but it’s bittersweet because this trip has been so amazing. We stopped at one of the hospitals that we referred patients to for a tour. You can look at the pictures. We had one last meal before we went to the airport and it was the best meal of the trip! I met some really amazing people and got to do some really amazing things. I have never felt like I was making such an amazing difference in the lives of so many people and it is comforting to know that we will continue to make a difference through the health promoters we trained. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have this experience and cannot wait to do something like ... read more

Starting off our experience in this city had been more of a gringo experience than we had ever wanted. Yes, we did have our first Ecuadorian beers – Pilsener and Club. But as far as getting a native or cultural experience was concerned – that was the extent of it. No hard core diving into the “Anthony Bourdain” style of eating street foods, no listening to local musicians, dancing on tables and having pure fun in the true Ecuadorian spirit. What we did do, was got settled in our little hotel nestled in the center of the La Mariscal District, affectionately known as Gringolandia, a highly Americanized section of this culturally diverse city. We are surrounding by nightclubs, discoteques and trendy restaurants. Feels a bit like South Beach. We enjoyed a tasty Mexican dinner and passed ... read more