Well, I am on my way. There was some last minute shopping required: all my travel-related gear was safely stowed away in Vancouver while I was in Palm Springs, so needed to round up things like a travel flashlight, poncho, umbrella, etc., not to mention walking sticks and water shoes. Then there was the problem of getting to LAX (from whence my flight was departing) at some god-forsaken hour in the morning. Money solved the latter problem - I took a limo door to door. It was a pleasant ride, and, all told, probably cost the same as if I had driven, parked at LAX, and stayed overnight at an airport hotel.
And, in spite of being unable to check in on line, all went well. The Delta folks were terrific, Delta comfort is the only (barring first class, which, well...) way to fly, and my luggage, which I needlessly checked, arrived on time, with Marco from Overseas Adventure Travel front at center when I emerged from Immigration, Customs and baggage claim.
While waiting for my fellow travelers, I discovered quickly that I was going to have trouble with the altitude in Quito, where the altitude goes to 10,000 feet - moving quickly was not an option, as I got dizzy and could not breathe. I knew about the altitude in advance, of course, but for some reason didn't think it would affect me (most things don't....) I soldiered on, of course, but it did cramp my style a bit.
The hotel was fine, and our introductory meeting (who are you, where do you come from, how often have you traveled with Overseas Adventure Traveler (hereinafter referred to as OAT), etc.) went about as well as these things do. Our fearless leader, Marco, is certainly a charmer...
After 16 + hours of travel (Palm Springs to LA, LA to Atlanta, Atlanta to Quito) I was tired and grotty, but couldn't sleep - not being able to breathe, don't you know - so the next day was done on the basis of a long shower, a good buffet breakfast at the hotel, and the ever-reliable adrenaline.
We started with the Old Town of Quito. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a "charming colonial city" as it says in the brochures (too many cars and too many people for that, in spite of the fact that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site - their first metro is opening this year, and there are 2.7 million inhabitants), but it was nice.
St. Francis was the first religious order (1534) and still the most popular in Ecuador....
....., but as usual, the Jesuits are the richest (note the gold leaf)...
......it is hard to see from the picture, but here are statues of three women, upholding the corner where the bishop gives his sermon...
It is interesting to me that the people of Ecuador still call the Spaniards "the Conquistadores....
Lunch was at a local restaurant called "La Mala Negra" (The Bad Black Lady), another cultural hangover....
....but, as you can see, a lovely restaurant. The food is blander than I expected (thank goodness, as I can't eat spicy food like I used to), although served with a spicy salsa on the side.
On our way back to the hotel, we had another unscheduled educational experience, an interview (again, paid for at what is apparently the going hourly rate) with a "Lady of the Night", Prostitution is apparently now legal in Ecuador, but she explained how she got into the business, why she stays in it (it is the best way to support her young daughter, and who would take care of her daughter while she trained to do something else, as the government would pay for her doing), and the ongoing hazards.
And no, I didn't feel like it was appropriate to take a picture....
The rest of the afternoon was free, and after checking out the local supermarket (quite high end, very well supplied, and very crowded with afternoon shoppers), I crashed, still being very much under the weather from being tired and suffering from altitude sickness.
The next day, we were off again, after the obligatory buffet breakfast (although by now I have discovered the omelette bar), where the fruits were delicious, but the pastries, they were divine.....
Our first stop was at the Sinamune Disabled Children's School. OAT has "projects" where ever they travel, and this is theirs in Quito. It is a music school for what used to be called mentally retarded children, where they are taught instruments, singing, and/or dance.
They had organized a concert for us, and I have to say it was charming.....
As you can see, by the end, they had us all up and dancing, although, given that I could barely breathe, I would have refused, but, really, I couldn't....
Great fun, I got a video, but will not risk downloading it. I will try on a separate post. Interesting, though. It made me think of my cousin, whose first child was a Down's Syndrome baby. Ellen was never able to look at her, so she was institutionalized. I know my aunt visited the girl every week, but as far as I know, Ellen never saw her again. I haven't thought of that baby in decades. How things have changed...
For a pick me up, we stop for a home made ice cream,
..Yum!
And, being so close, we had to get to the actual Equator....
....and the obligatory picture, first on one side of the equator....
...and then the other....
........as one of my fellow-travelers looks on bemused.
.
The accompanying museum was interesting too.
....back to Quito for the obligatory market (don't get me wrong, I always love them....)
....and, having looked at everything and tasted lots (OAT is known for providing a full experience), back to Quito...
Some of us joined Marco for dinner at a rather fancy restaurant known for Ecuadorian food.
....and very good it was too.
Thought I would get a picture of the breakfast buffet at the hotel'''
...before we head off to the airport for the flight to Coca, and our stay at the Amazon jungle. More about that in the next port. As always, stay tuned.
And, in spite of being unable to check in on line, all went well. The Delta folks were terrific, Delta comfort is the only (barring first class, which, well...) way to fly, and my luggage, which I needlessly checked, arrived on time, with Marco from Overseas Adventure Travel front at center when I emerged from Immigration, Customs and baggage claim.
While waiting for my fellow travelers, I discovered quickly that I was going to have trouble with the altitude in Quito, where the altitude goes to 10,000 feet - moving quickly was not an option, as I got dizzy and could not breathe. I knew about the altitude in advance, of course, but for some reason didn't think it would affect me (most things don't....) I soldiered on, of course, but it did cramp my style a bit.
The hotel was fine, and our introductory meeting (who are you, where do you come from, how often have you traveled with Overseas Adventure Traveler (hereinafter referred to as OAT), etc.) went about as well as these things do. Our fearless leader, Marco, is certainly a charmer...
After 16 + hours of travel (Palm Springs to LA, LA to Atlanta, Atlanta to Quito) I was tired and grotty, but couldn't sleep - not being able to breathe, don't you know - so the next day was done on the basis of a long shower, a good buffet breakfast at the hotel, and the ever-reliable adrenaline.
We started with the Old Town of Quito. I wouldn't go so far as to say it was a "charming colonial city" as it says in the brochures (too many cars and too many people for that, in spite of the fact that it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site - their first metro is opening this year, and there are 2.7 million inhabitants), but it was nice.
Those are illegal vendors in the foreground, their wares in a plastic bag for easy escape from the police. Very nice, though - good salespeople without being overly aggressive. And you know I am a sucker for a good salesperson.... We actually had an interview (we paid for her time) with one of these illegal vendors as part of the educational activities....
Below is Marco, our fearless leader, in full conversation mode, as always...
St. Francis was the first religious order (1534) and still the most popular in Ecuador....
....., but as usual, the Jesuits are the richest (note the gold leaf)...
......it is hard to see from the picture, but here are statues of three women, upholding the corner where the bishop gives his sermon...
It is interesting to me that the people of Ecuador still call the Spaniards "the Conquistadores....
Lunch was at a local restaurant called "La Mala Negra" (The Bad Black Lady), another cultural hangover....
....but, as you can see, a lovely restaurant. The food is blander than I expected (thank goodness, as I can't eat spicy food like I used to), although served with a spicy salsa on the side.
On our way back to the hotel, we had another unscheduled educational experience, an interview (again, paid for at what is apparently the going hourly rate) with a "Lady of the Night", Prostitution is apparently now legal in Ecuador, but she explained how she got into the business, why she stays in it (it is the best way to support her young daughter, and who would take care of her daughter while she trained to do something else, as the government would pay for her doing), and the ongoing hazards.
And no, I didn't feel like it was appropriate to take a picture....
The rest of the afternoon was free, and after checking out the local supermarket (quite high end, very well supplied, and very crowded with afternoon shoppers), I crashed, still being very much under the weather from being tired and suffering from altitude sickness.
The next day, we were off again, after the obligatory buffet breakfast (although by now I have discovered the omelette bar), where the fruits were delicious, but the pastries, they were divine.....
Our first stop was at the Sinamune Disabled Children's School. OAT has "projects" where ever they travel, and this is theirs in Quito. It is a music school for what used to be called mentally retarded children, where they are taught instruments, singing, and/or dance.
They had organized a concert for us, and I have to say it was charming.....
As you can see, by the end, they had us all up and dancing, although, given that I could barely breathe, I would have refused, but, really, I couldn't....
Great fun, I got a video, but will not risk downloading it. I will try on a separate post. Interesting, though. It made me think of my cousin, whose first child was a Down's Syndrome baby. Ellen was never able to look at her, so she was institutionalized. I know my aunt visited the girl every week, but as far as I know, Ellen never saw her again. I haven't thought of that baby in decades. How things have changed...
For a pick me up, we stop for a home made ice cream,
..Yum!
And, being so close, we had to get to the actual Equator....
....and the obligatory picture, first on one side of the equator....
...and then the other....
........as one of my fellow-travelers looks on bemused.
.
The accompanying museum was interesting too.
....back to Quito for the obligatory market (don't get me wrong, I always love them....)
....and, having looked at everything and tasted lots (OAT is known for providing a full experience), back to Quito...
Some of us joined Marco for dinner at a rather fancy restaurant known for Ecuadorian food.
....and very good it was too.
Thought I would get a picture of the breakfast buffet at the hotel'''
...before we head off to the airport for the flight to Coca, and our stay at the Amazon jungle. More about that in the next port. As always, stay tuned.
No comments:
Post a Comment