Blogs from Historical Center, Quito, North, Ecuador, South America - page 5

1. It's so seriously cold here at night, that I've got five blankets and one sheet on my bed, and I use them all. We're at 2800 meters here and my fingers are frozen in the morning when I didn't put my hands underneath the sheets. Even my Dutch thermostat has to be adjusted to these temperatures! During the day it's nice though, between 17 (sun gone) and 25 (sun out) degrees. The only thing is that you're getting pretty busy putting on and taking off your jumper all the time... The height is not so much of a problem otherwise, although it really feels like I´ve run a marathon when I arrive at my house about twohundred meters uphill :) 2. You can have breakfast with a sandwich and coffee for one dollar here. For ... read more

"Do you have these in 39?" I put the shoe that I hold in my right hand in the air. Between all the hearts, bows, flowers, gold, silver and glistening little stones I found a pair of shoes that you could call "normal". To compensate that normality though (I'm sure that "normal" will be out of fashion for a few more decades here in Ecuador), most simple models are painted in orange, light green or in any other spectacular variant. I look questionning at the salesgirl while I try not to look to desperate. She shakes her head: "Solo hasta las 38." Hmmm, which ones do you have in 39? She hesitates before she points at the three most horrible shoes on the shelf, all combinations of the decorations and colors I mentioned earlier. No thanks. ... read more

Iš ryto su vokiete mergina iškeliaujam pasivaikščioti po miestą. Iš pradžių nuvažiuojam iki autobusų terminaluo, o nuo čia iki miesto jau visai netoli, tad einam pėsti. Vakar spėjau apžiūrėti dalį senamiesčio, bet sutemus viskas atrodo kiek kitaip. Šialia senamiesčio stūgso kalva su didžiule statula, tad sugalvojam iki jos nueiti. Nuo senamiesčio iki kalvos viršaus veda laiptai. Kiek palipus laiptais pasitinka užrašas, kad čia turistams vaikščioti pavojinga. Kalva nedidelė, tad atrodo juokingai šis užrašas. Užtektų poros čia kart nuo karto praeinančių policininkų ir nebūtų pavojinga. Nufotkinam užrašą ir keliaujam toliau. Kalva nedidelė, tad per 20 min pasiekiam jos viršų. Statula atrodo keistoka, bet užtai nuo kalvos į visas puses atsiveria neblogas vaizdas, vienoje pusėje senamiestos, kitoje nesibaigiantis miestas. Čia pasėdim gerą pusvalandį ir keliaujam atgal iki senamiesčio. Pusiauk... read more

Starting my trip off in Quito a few days before I meet up with my group... Days 1 & 2 were great!! I didn't get to the hotel and in bed until 3am Sunday night... I will readily admit there were some moments of "concern" while taking a taxi at 1:30 am, but I made it safe and sound. I decided to try the new "Hop On- Op Off" touristic bus and was pleased with the day. Sitting up high certainly gets you some good views. On a bad note- at the end of my day I accidentally erased all of my pics so I'll have to back track a little later. Ugh! I spent most of my first day enjoying the "Centro Histórico" which is a UNESCO World Heritage sight. My hotel is right down ... 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