Ecuador

Arrived Quito in the mid morning after getting up at 4.30 in order to get to the airport the obligatory 3 hours before hand. Not easy after the family dinner last night in a crowded noisy restaurant where the owner is a renowned local singer of one of the forms of Colombian music. A fantastic night and we finally got to met Juan Pablo (Camilo´s eldest Brother)and Juanita his wife, both delightful people. It’s a good thing we did most of the packing before we left for dinner as we did not get home till about 11.30. What a week!!!! Myriam and Heranando drove us to the airport this morning and the farewell was a bit emotional all round, its been such an intense week. On arrival here rested a bit and then walked down to a mall a bit like Indooroopilly or a smaller Chaddy, designer shops just like our centres, we could have been anywhere.
Decided to rest a while and in the late afternoon headed for the old quarter for a look around. Our first unguided tour for a while. On the way in, the cabbie was listening to the football on the radio and it seemed half of Quito was doing the same. Quito scored twice in about two minutes and the commentator announced Goooooooooooooooal. it must have gone on for 30 seconds and car horns honked and you could see people in shops celebrate. Our first experience of South American football. The cabbie was also an enthusiastic travel guide pointing out (in Spanish) all the notable features we passed, and we followed on the map.

The Basilica as they described it sits high on a hill and is quite impressive from a distance, we however headed for the Plaza de la Indepoendencia. Again typical Spanish layout and again magnificent surrounding buildings. The centre of the city was buzzing, as in fact the whole city was, as it was the day before national elections. A state of controlled excitement everywhere. Wandered the adjoining streets comparing prices in the shops and getting the ¨feel¨ of the place.

For those contemplating a trip to SA, bring only the clothes you wear, clothing is so cheap here. Note for Phil, get a refund on ebay for the boots, equivalent boots here less than $50.00, a good pair of black mens shoes less than $50.

Stumbled on a market building, a real rabbit warren of small stalls selling everything imaginable even white goods. Then decided to visit a church on the other side of the small square and found it was the somewhat famous La Compañia, which reputedly has 7 tons of gold in the decorations. Mass was taking place at the same time as tourists such as us were watching, this has been the case elsewhere as mass is celebrated regularly. Back to the Plaza de la Indepoendencia as the restaurant recommended to us was located there. The sun was setting and lights coming on illuminating the surrounding buildings, just magnificent, Phil wait for the photos.

Filled in the time until the restaurant opened by having my shoes shone, they have never looked like they do now and the exercise is a show in itself, all for $1, and visiting an Andy Warhol exhibition at the cultural centre. Dinner lovely at the Mea Cupla, notwithstanding that serving of alcohol is banned for the week end of the elections we imbibed ¨coffee¨ in china cups, seemed to come from a bottle which originated in Chile!

Sunday we had arranged for an all day private tour of Quito´s surrounds which took us to the town of Otavolo, noted for its market and displays of indigenous Hand crafts. Spent about an hour in the market and Michele was quite restrained, only bought jewellery, clothing and trinkets, I bought a panama hat. Apparently these should have always been called Ecuador hats as they are all made here.

In adjoining Peguche visited the studio of a well known artistic weaver and managed to again keep Michele restrained to an alpaca cardie and a wall hanging (another reason to bring no clothing to make room in the case)!

Everything is buzzing today as it is election day, proceedings which seem to be being conducted calmly and with dignity. Both the above towns are largely indigenous and with increasing prosperity due to a combination of land reform and the developing tourist activity, we certainly did our bit in this regard (I for instance bought a $7 hat, Michelle $xxxxxxx).

Our guide Desiree and driver Joseph were well informed and delightful young people, not necessarily the cheapest way to get around but well worth the money.

Quite-night, light dinner at the hotel (no alcohol) and repacking for the trip to Sacha Lodge in the morning (leaving the bulk of the luggage here).

Hasta Leugo Amigos from Quito