PRISON

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The highlight of my trip so far- Quito Prison, which houses many an English drug lord.

Peter Tritton´s stories were astounding. In Quito for 12 years but wanted in the UK for 50. The equadorian president wants all foreign prisoners out, copying Chavez, but Peter prefers it here as you can have guests whenever, guns, knives, drugs, prostitutes, women from the female prison- you name it. Inmates go in and become addicts.

In Peter´s cell (which he owns) they were hungover on our arrival from a heavy night!! The cell was like a luxury cabin on a ferry, all the amenities: hot shower, kettle, fridge, microwave, TV (with Sky), nice tiling, mirrors, lovely mattress! But its not all like that.................

Other wings and cells are beyond dire, exactly what you would expect from a south american prison. Inmates wearing what can only be described as rags grinding their teeth obsessively, others holding their children. Its an enclosed self sufficient community, children in their school uniforms skipping through the door returning home from a day at school, there is a burger van, one guy bakes pies, others perform chores for inmates further up the hierarchy.

But the flip side was that Peter was the typical middle class, young english gent, offering us Earl Grey or PG Tips and food from the most well stocked fridge I have ever seen! But he then explained what he would hav to do to escape........

"I have $15,000 to bribe the guards and another $15,000 for the Colombian mafia to keep the guards quiet, if they speak, I know where their families live, another tea?" Right, im fine thanks.

This day became P3 day: Prison, Piercings and Pizza, with our 2 Dutch friends Casper and Rahsaan- who actually sounds like Forest Gump, hilarious in itself. My favourite day away so far. Yes, piercing, our noses. Traveller, nose piercing- how cliche, ah well.

Cuenca followed Quito, recouparation and hiking Parque de national Cajas, a little more traditional tourist, before bracing ourselves for the next border crossing, fingers crossed.....................

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