New week, new teacher. I asked Mario¹ to take me to the shops where stolen things are sold. He took me to the mall nearest the place where my camera was stolen. There were stories and stories of little shops with various electronics, mostly phones, in the windows. Some things were new, some looked questionable. I did not see my… Read more »
Today we went to the butterfly garden in Mindo. This was the cleanest, most touristy sight I’ve seen here yet, but also new and fun. There were variously camouflaged cocoons, and the opportunity to watch the butterfly being born. Some young ones were still hanging from their cocoons drying their wings. Many more were flying around the garden and feeding… Read more »
Today we took a truck ride and a hike through the mountain jungle to some waterfalls (“cascadas”) and pools. The hike was nice, with a little rope assisted scrambling. The waterfalls are unimpressive even compared to those in New Hampshire, but there is a nice area both locals and tourists use for swimming jumping into the water. We swam by… Read more »
Today I departed Quito for a weekend trip to Mindo, a small town in the cloud forest. It’s a cute little town of hotels and small houses, with the fronts of the buildings finished to look nice for the tourists. It’s nice to be out of the bustle of Quito. There are birds chirping away all day and possibly all… Read more »
After school today I went to file a police report about my stolen things. The school administrator said that although they will not be able to get my stuff back, the police do use the information to find patterns in how the thieves work. I later remembered that I may also be able to use the report to file a… Read more »
Today I had lunch with one of the girls at the school at a small cheap restaurant ($2) down a corridor off the street in Old Town. At the end of lunch my bag, which I had hanging off the back of my chair (contrary to oft repeated instructions), was gone. We ran around the restaurant asking the waiters about… Read more »
When we left school today, the sky and the air were strangely smoky. The girls were afraid that Cotopaxi blew, as it is expected to any day. There did seem to be fewer people on the street, but for the most part the city seemed to be moving as normal. The sun was orange overhead. Little bits of ash were… Read more »
First day of class! Got up early in the morning, but it’s not so bad because we don’t stay out at night and I’m still not sleeping well anyways. We were all a little late together. Coming into the school, being shown around and assigned to teachers was a bit hectic. My teacher thought I was going to be a… Read more »
Today I went to the only Gothic basilica in Quito. Am I looking for the wrong architecture? This is my first view above the city and it’s magnificent. I count at least 3 volcanoes. Lonely Planet warns of the ascent up the tower. The wooden plank is nothing – it goes along the roof, not across the tower. The ladders… Read more »
The hostess is very nice and accommodating. She speaks simply and clearly so I can mostly understand her. Wandering around Old Town Intersections have someone directing traffic even if there is a traffic light. They are constantly whistling. Not sure what the whistles mean, but coming from every direction they are deafening at times. Visited the presidential palace. The tour… Read more »