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Published: March 10th 2010
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Quito from Percillo
High-density, high-altitude housing It took us pretty well all day to get to Quito. Dianne's personal car and driver, Nilo (well, a private taxi she uses regularly) collected us from her apartment at 7:30 to get to JFK at 8:30. Alex warned us of heavy rush-hour traffic. We got there at 8:05. The plane to Miami actually arrived 40 minutes early (how could they get it so wrong on a 3-1/2 flight? Must have been some tail wind!). A bit of drama on board with an obnoxious passenger that necessitated calling security upon arrival. I doubt it went any further than a stern warning.
Needless to say, with the early arrival our plane to Quito was delayed due a mechanical problem. First they tried to repair it, then they decided they couldn't and they wpould organise another plane, so we were rushed off to another gate. Then they decided the first plane could be prepared sooner so the rushed us back to the first gate to board. I'm sure they videod the whole thing to have good laugh at later.
So, we got to Quito about 9 pm, Customs was a very token effort (check the passport, x-ray the luggage and we're
Street vendor in traditional dress
This lady was selling beautiful woven wool scarves - they are very persitent! through). I'll bet it won't be as simple gpoing back to the US...
Arrive at the Hotel de La Rabida - a lovely little private hotel with about 12 rooms, recommended by a colleague of Dianne's who lived in Quito for a number of years and still returns regularly- about 10 pm. I had to do some work (*sigh*) so got to bed about midnight.
We both awoke next morning with rampant hangovers; a bit rich since I hadn't had any alcohol since the Sydney-LA flight and Naomi since a couple of weeks ago! No, we had altitude sickness. Quito is 2800 mtrs above sea level. Naomi found some Berocca in her first aid kit and I started to feel better quite quickly, but it took her longer given her need for constant rehydration (I think I've also had more practice recovering from hangovers). We abandoned our plan to head up the volcano - another 1300 mtrs! Instead, at the recommendation of Gloria on the desk, we took a taxi up to Percillo, and hill high over Quito, where the Virgin Of Quito statue is - see the pics.
While we were there, we were approached by
Naomi's tv interview
Look out for her on Ecuador's version of "Today Tonight". Check your tv guide. a group of students from the local university, wanting to interview us - which was fun given the interviewer didn't speak English! However the camerman spoke it a bit and Naomi managed a few words (not just, "Que?")!
The taxi dropped us back into the old town of Quito (our hotel is near the new town, and is quite uninteresting - the usuakl shops, restaurants etc). We walked around for a while and took quite a few pics, some shown here. Lunch was a restaurant recommended by the Lonely Planet Guide. Fruteria Monserrat lived up to the recommendation, two mainn courses and a coffee for US$5.35 (barely A$6?). This was considered upmarket and expensive by local standards. (BTW I had to buy some more power adaptors as the ones I brought had an extra earth pin that stopped them from plugginto the 2 pin sockets. Gloria organised two new adaptors for me, delivered to our room within 10 minutes for US$1.16. For the two. We paid 10 bucks for ours in Melbourne!).
Anyway, old Quito is quite lovely and lively. lots of Spanish colonial architecture kept in good condition, and there seemed to always be hundreds of people
The Presidential Palace
Yes, he is actually in there running the country. Guards with sub-machine guns are on the outside about. The Grand Plaza was full of people in traditonal and modern dress, just hanging out, talking to friends, enjoying the very pleasant day. I won't go into the places we visited as it will take many more paragrpahs than I can write tonight, but you will see the pics.
Taxi back to la Rabida (also the name of the street), a very pleasant dinner, and another hour of work before I sat and wrote this blog. Naomi is still a bit tired from her hangover oops altitude sickness. Early start tomorrow, as we are flying to the Galapagos Islands!
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Brad
non-member comment
You're staying in a rabid hotel?
Hi, Love the blog and it takes me back the 23 years or so since I was there. The old squares, probably a Plaza de Armas, are usually the best places to hang out, but I also enjoyed having a cafe con leche down at Amazonas. It all looks lovely,and we're very jealous! Brad PS If you want some real excitement take one of the little train / buses to the coast.