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Published: July 12th 2009
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JULY 11th, SECRET GARDEN TERRACE, 4PM, 19 DEGREES CELSIUS, CERVEZA MUCHO FRIA With all the people in the street walking as fast as their feet can take em i just stroll through town -JACK JOHNSON As spectacular as the approach into quito was, nothing could have prepared me for the view that i awoke to on th first morning. The taxi ride from the airport the night before sped me through the city at street level, i barely had time to focus on anything before it faded quickly behind me...the taxi driver seemed to be more focused on the TV perched on the dashboard and a number of dogs crossing the street nearly paid dearly.
The Secret Garden is situated halfway up a steep hill in the old town and as i was soon to find out, has one of the best views in the city. I woke and lifted my head from the pillow and was greeted by the sun shedding its first light on the colonial buildings sprawled out beneath me. The buildings seemes to be piled on top of each other like plants in the rainforest competeing for the light. As i went upstairs
onto the terrace for breakfast the true expanse of the city at first startled me..i wasnt expecting quito to be this big and i became a little nervous knowing that i had to venture out into its belly. In the distance Vulcan Pichincha looms over the city. In the foreground to the north, BasÃlica del Sagrado Voto Nacional with its twin gothic towers sits opposite El Panecillo (Statue of the virgin mary) to the south. in betweeb them central historico, or old town to us gringos.
I decided to take a quick walk around the block to try and get my feet wet, and after feeling a little more at ease take a longer walk into new town to try and get my bearings and get organised. Today is all about the small victories...buying a bottle of water, a notepad, a pen, some lunch and most importantly not getting lost. Nothing sets your heart racing and your senses on high alert like getting lost in a strange city. Although i could definitely feel an edge to the city..i have yet to feel in danger despite some of the stories i have heard..a handful of people in the hostal have
been mugged. A few wrong turns here and there is all it takes to find yourself in an alleyway where you obviously shouldnt be.
It became obvious very quickly that this city is all about the view...i spent the next couple of days poking around the city looking for different perspectives. Whether from the top of vulcan pichincha or at street level the city has lots to discover and i started to really enjoy getting to know my new camera. My favourite spots for people watching were definitely in the old town where buses spewing exhaust through narrow streets and vendors hawking their wares created a very special atmosphere. At the end of a long day walking around i climbed up the hill opposite vulcan pichinca to unwind with some drinks by myself at cafe mosaico. Nice to be alone after being surrounded by so many people all day...which i really needed seeing that i would be spending the evening with 65,000 ecuadorians watching the local team, LIGA U, play a Brazillian team. Was quite a mission getting there through peak hour traffic and buying tickets off the scalpers outside but once we were in the energy was electrifying..to
be honest i had more fun watching the scenes in the stands than the actual match itself...these guys really feel there futbol.
Have been in quito for a week and i am itching to get on the road..just me, my camera and some very limited spanish. Off to Cotopaxi natioal park next...and then the beach.
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Mike
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Amazing start
Hey bro, Amazing start to your trip! Keep safe, have fun and i look forward to hearing more about your stories ;) M