QUITO

Hola from Ecuador, the land of the Cuy and the home of the Rave. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Ecuadorian cuisine, Cuy is guinea pig, a popular alternative to chicken here in Ecuador. The locals consume over 65 million of the little critters every year. Will let you know what it tastes like after we try it. Why Rave? Our hostal just happens to be in a popular “Disco” area (not to be confused with “Night Club” which is a “Whore House” here) and the local young adults know how to Rave ‘til the wee hours with music blasting.

The first couple of pictures are of our hostal which is “rustic quaint” with hummingbirds right outside our window. For $27/night we get a double bed w/ private bath, breakfast consisting of fresh juice & fruit, toast, scrambled eggs and wonderful instant coffee (we are quickly becoming tea drinkers!) We have TV and WiFi in our room too.

Our impression of Quito is reminicient of the old cities of Eastern Europe with obviously a colonial/Spanish motif. Lots of colonnades and courtyards w/ Moorish archit. influence. People seem to be pretty mellow and friendly. Visually, the Indian women are beautiful with high cheek bones and fine features. Most of the people a generally small in stature.

When we ventured out yesterday is was warm and sunny, shirt sleeve weather. We walked about 3 miles to the old town and cruised around the Grand Independencia Plaza (town square). Just as we were finishing our delicious lunch it started to pour down rain with thunder and lightening. We hung out in the lower courtyard for about an hour listening to a group of Andean musicians practice, couple of guitars and acouple of flutes. Their music was beautiful. We finally decided to go in search of an umbrella and lucky us, we found a little Indian lady hawking them down the street for $3.60. The rain let up alittle so we decided to walk home instead of taking the bus or taxi….bad idea! Streets don’t drain too well and we got a total hose job by a passing bus. We were about the only people on the street and we got chased out of a park by the policica. The only reason we could figure was because of the lightening??? Stupid haoloe’s! After a nice warm shower and dry clothes we finished the evening off with a return to our new favorite eatery so Pam could have our new favorite soup, “leg of cow.” It’s is about the best soup either of us has ever had, right up there with oxtail. Very flavorful made with beef shanks & lots of cilantro, hominy & potato. We will have to find a recipe so we can make our own and share the recipe with Reenie so she can make it for you Stuart. Grey “wolfed” down a plate of goat stew with rice. It was really ono like very mild venison and in a rich, hearty brown sause. You would love it Vas! Nice to know that some things never change, we are still obsessed with good food and will seek it out where ever we wander.

Today also started out beautiful and by 3-3:30 more rain, thunder and lightening. Guess it’s the normal weather pattern this time of year. Luckily we were back in our room just in time. We hate to admit it but we actually walked to the mall today in search of a rain jacket for Pam and pocket dictionary. We are definitely experiencing the “language barrier” but are somehow managing to muddle through making ourselves understood with our splangish. The mall was just like a mall anywhere with food court and the Super Maxi grocery store. You’ll notice the picture of the passion fruit the size of a large tomato and the roses for $1.49 a dozen. Prices for food are definitely cheaper here. As far as we could tell you could buy just about anything you needed there.

The plan tomorrow is to head north to Otavalo and Cotacachi and spend a few days there exploring. Otavalo has one of the largest indigenous markets in South America so that should be interesting. Will post again soon with news and pictures from up north.

Adios Amigos!

QUITO