First stop...Quito

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The butterflies that had occupied my stomach the previous week with their large, albeit pretty, wings left when I boarded the plane, probably aided by the large glasses of wine I drank with Chris at the airport. After 3 planes, 20 hours of flying and my own mini South America tour (Sao Paolo & Lima) I arrived in Quito tired but happy. No host family was waiting for me at the airport. I knew I was on South American time now so happily waited and waited...It turned out that they didn´t know I was coming so I took an overpriced taxi to the apartment. Thankfully the host family have been very hospitable and have happily put up with my Spanish which now after 16 hours of lessons means I sound like a 3 year old which is a big improvement! There is also a guy (who is on the same trip as me) and a German girl (who translates bits that I don´t understand i.e the majority) staying at the house.

The "old town" of Quito is full of colonial splendour. Beautiful, grand squares which are full of life and history are great for people watching. We climbed a hill to the south of Quito called El Panecillo to reach a statue of the Virgin of Quito and to great views over the city and the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. Transport in the city is cheap and entertaining. Buses with salsa blaring out keep moving as you get on and off or just stop in the middle of the roundabout to let you on. Fresh juices are cheap and delicious. Juice to go, si, pop it in a plastic bag with a straw and off you go! Hot cholcolate with cheese is a popular drink here. Yes cheese, a mozerella type, which you put in your chocolate. Not unpleasant but not all that pleasant either. Pisco sour is more my kind of drink - a potent brandy with sugar, lime and egg white.

Instead of having my Spanish lesson in the classroom yesterday, I asked if my teacher would come with me to Mitad del Mundo, a rather touristy but "have to go to" type of place. I straddled the equator and watched the experiments with amazement. The water really did go down the sink clockwise in the south, anticlockwise in the north and straight down the middle on the equator. You are also weaker on the equator which the guide demonstrated by pushing down on your outstretched arm whilst you push up. Away from the equator it was quite hard for him but on the equator with one arm he could push my arm down in a second. I also did the obligatory balance an egg on a nail which is just amazing. The bit I really liked is that you are lighter on the equator! I also visited the monument built supposedly on the equator, however, the poor scientists were proved about 200m out by new technology and GPS but everyone still goes there anyway!

Off to Otavolo next, a big market place and then on to the jungle.

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Comments

[Chris Watt]

Butterfly pacifying
Glad to hear that the Pinot Grigio medicine worked on the butterflies! Not so sure about cheese and chocolate though. Great update, keep up the Spanish. Cx

[Bev]

Miss Adventurer
Katrina Batrina, That's so cool. I thought of you yesterday and promtly your first trip report cme through. Sounds like such an adventure and can't wait to hear more. Take care and a big kis from here. Bags are packed and I'll leave here too today.

[Bex]

Yay! Glad it's all ok and you're enjoying it. Good luck with the Spanish, bet you'll be fluent by the time you come back! Though if you're anything like me, you'll be going through German, French and Dutch before the Spanish words arrive in your head .. ;-) Look forward to hearing more x

[Mary Gould]

Impressed!
Terrific blog intro, Katie... your non-IT mum gave me the info! Your descriptions really graphic.... I was very interested in equator details which I'd never heard of. Love and best wishes - I'll be back for an update.

[Catherine Grey]

the spectacular swiss alps
Hi there Catherine...on a bit of a whim and certainly in reach of a giggle I googled my own name and who should I find but you! Was interested to hear that you had been soaking up the majestic peaks of Switzerland....I to lived there for 6 years (7 months a year) from 99 (Interlaken) and a part of my heart will always treasure that spectacular place.....thanks for the reminder :) Being home in NZ is a great thing but its also fabulous to know that someone like you is out taking the world by storm!!! ENJOY!