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Published: February 21st 2011
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Bus lineup in Guayaquil
I estimate there were a 800 or more people waiting in a "line" It extended aroundthe corner. I couldn't deal with it and got stung for $70 cab ride to salinas. But Sat. night would ahve been hard any other way. 23:12 in Salinas Ecuador
We just came in from a pleasant evening at the "Hostal Aqui" an expat type of hangout/cafe/bar, owned by William. He has only single rooms (no dorms) from $20 with A/C, TV, bath in a great tropical setting. A hostal is not a hostel in Ecuador, it is a small hotel, but could be both.
6 hour wait in the Bog airport. The time goes well: occasional beer/snack/conversation/free wifi. I should have brought a towel to lay your head back against the wall in comfort and grab a few winks (also for the plane when trying to sleep. Pretty good day in these circumstances. Trailmix, an empty bottle for water.etc. Saying something to someone every once in a while. usually leads to a conversation.
In the usa it is common to have quiet, meditation/prayer rooms, put chairs together, make a bed. Seattle has one on the mezzanine floor. You can take the last Link Seatac Shuttle from Vancouver at night and be up in the AM for your flight.
Trip to Ecuador:
Taxi $25/35 minutes arrive about 5AM for 6:30 am Medellin to Bogota (national flight). Avianca told me to get a paper
Mangoes Cut With Salt Pack
1buck 4 or 5 Mangoes, when out of season a buck each. signed at the tax kiosk in the airport then they then gave me $35 refund (CheapOair had charged me an exit fee). The extra time I gave myself was now used up.
Arrived Guayaquil, hot of course with that humid coastal tropical smell that is easily remembered when you have experienced it. Paid $5 to get to the bus terminal next door to the airport but with traffic 10 minutes. Walking 5 min. to the street would save 2 or 3 $. The bus terminal Terreste was a huge 3 floor mall with a bus terminal as part of it. Saturday 6PM,
There are special van services for $10-$15/person Cabbies or others wouldn't tell me about them & it was already 6PM, they were probably booked. Icould have bribed a cabbie $5 extra to take me to their terminal I guess.
Good ride, talked to the cabbie, about his family he started at15 years old. His youngest of 4 kids is 42 and he is only 60. He is still married to his childhood sweetheart.
The cabbie phoned to Sonia (she offered me a bedroom from couchsurfers.com (CS) and said we were coming at 8 pm.
Avianca fokker 100
An old plane, but still great service, stewart gave me 2 beers (I asked for 1), both free. Cheapoair was cheaper than Avianca site at $335 minus $35 refund = $300 net. she said fine. The cabbie couldn't find the house, Sonia told him to stop where he was , she sent 2 friends to pick me up in their car. I arrived Sonia ushered me upstairs where they were having a small party. I was introduced all round and to Jenni from Germany a CS also. also there were 2 more CS,ers downstairs in an apartment she has.
Couchsurfing (CS) is a network of people who a bed, mat, or even just a coffee like Sol in Itagui to people in exchange for getting to know another language, culture etc. or earn a reputation on the site where others are happy to host them.
Salinas is overrun with tourists on this weekend, mostly extended type families (large groups, very indigenous looking. Nice beach, small waves (not good for me). Tranquil sidewalk cafes. Sonia is planning to take me to see Mantanita today, she likes it but wouldnt want to live there.
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