Live from Quito!

(I never stop being amazed that
people build cities up mountains)

So I did finally make it to Quito. (There was "weather" at Quito airport so my last flight circled a couple of times then got rerouted to Guayaquil - so a little like trying to land at O'Hare but they do the Spanish announcement first, then the English). In practice, only about eight hours off schedule but I slept pretty much all day Sunday.  That last five hours staying awake in the airport just finished me - I am too old to stay up all night.

As is my custom I've spent a big part of the last few days wondering about, looking at pretty buildings and politely (I hope) declining offers to purchase handicrafts.  Quito isn´t as crowded or frantic as, say Bangkok or Mumbai, but the traffic will keep you on your toes.  The bus system is good though - the guidebooks have it right when they say skipping Quito is a mistake.

Below are a couple pictures from the older part of the city: Santo Domingo (well, part of it) and El Panecillo (a hill about 9840 feet above sea level with a sculpture dedicated to the Virgin on top).

(I wanted to go up the hill to get a better look at the sculpture - there are stone stairs going much of the way up, but one of the neighborhood ladies waved me off.  Now that I think about the area a bit, she was right.  I´ve heard a lot of warnings about my neighborhood, Mariscal, - which seems just fine to me - but this was worse and nobody said a thing about it until I was right there).

I am actually writing this my last full day in Quito - I aim to catch a bus to Baños de Agua Santa on Friday.  Also, to sleep indoors while I´m there, so I´m off to make a few awkward phone calls.  (Seriously, learn Spanish if you come to Ecuador). Wish me luck!