We´re going to the zoo!

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Well, we have a free day today before we have to start running round the Embassy tomorrow. The plan to go to Mindo fell through as some had to be at the airport to meet Georgia and Ben, the last two GAPpers who weren´t doing the Spanish course. We decided instead to go to Quito zoo which, just to confuse us is not in Quito but is situated Guallybamba, about an hours drive away.

First, however, we had to stop off at the Hilton to pick up Sophie´s travel pillow which had been brought halfway across the world by a kindly neighbour who was heading out to Ecuador after she left it behind. Really quite random.

We set off on the instructions of a policeman which turned out to be the wrong way. Next some woman told us to get on the bus she was and would tell us when to get off to get the bus to Guallybamba which she did. Unfortunatley this also turned out to be wrong and we were stranded at the side of a main road. I think we had out first taste of Ecuadorian helpfulness - meaning they are so eager to be of help they tell you something even if they don´t know the way!

In the end we had to pile into two taxis which was not pleasant for the five who had to squash into the second taxi. We eventually arrived with a very excited Louisa who had apparently never been to a zoo. How can you possibly grow up in England and not be taken to a zoo!

Anyway, it was very good complete with a condor and Galapagos giant tortoises (which we will see for real soon!) Slightly worried about the size of the cages though - very small in some cases. The highlight however was seeing my first hummingbird randomly at the side of one of the paths. Tried to get a photo but it only turned out as a green blur!

I think the workers thought we were a little odd as we spent the most time crowded around the llama pen - I had the llama song stuck in my head all day after that!

Afterwards we had the slight problem of how to get home. There were no taxis and it was a three kilometre walk back to the main road. However, there was a sign for the Panamericana bus stop two kilometres down the road which we decided to try. After walking for way more than two kilometres some random man with his family in a pick-up truck who had obviously just come from the zoo offered us a lift to the road. So nine of us squeezed into the back of a pick-up along with a baby´s buggy for a very bumpy ride. When we got to the road, he actually offered to drive us back to Quito. Putting this mode of transport (which seems to be very common here) under the heading of ´new experiences´we decided why not and took him up on his offer. An hour long ride on main roads truned out to be very different to a five minute drive on a bumpy track. As well as being completely squashed and in pain the word ´windswept´doesn´t even begin to descride how we all looked after five minutes. Despite this, I have decided pick-up trucks are very fun and my new favourite mode of transport which I will bei trying again at the next possible oppurtunity!

He dropped us near to where all the others live so we went back to there house where we did the one thing we weren´t supposed to and let the bear out of the yard (I hesitate to call it a dog - it truly is far too big). Chaos ensued with Matt and Louisa chasing it down the street and in the end it took three people just to walk it back inside. All the dogs in the neighbourhood were going crazy on the roofs. I have no idea why but everyone here had dogs and they all seem to be kept on the roof.

We then tried out their games room which is best accessed through the bedroom window above it - again very fun! We played a couple of games of twister and cards before me and the Sophies set off for the bus. Public transport here is certainly not my favourote way of getting around but at least we made it home ok in time for dinner.

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Photos

A windy ride
Ben, me and Sophie

Comments

[Ellie]

!
Oh my GOD! You actually found some llamas! [jaw drops in awe]

[Awelewa olayinka]

What i think about the animal
I just like the animal and i wander how long slow-moving reptile will dangerous what i think is that, is a wild animal not friendly because is too big