Tonight we went to a nice rooftop restaurant to see L. off back to the USA. Quite expensive for Old Town Quito, but a great view, good food, an elevator operator, a harp, and fireworks! Costs Here lies a delicious porkchop. Cost today: $75.75 Cumulative cost: $1032.98
Today I went on a school trip to finally visit the Virgin of Quito, the giant winged aluminum lady beckoning from the hilltop on the south side of the city. The “Panecillo” (“little bread loaf”) hill offers a great view of the city, including the south side heretofore hidden by the same hill. Unfortunately today it was a little too… Read more »
Today we went to lunch at an American owned restaurant. I had a burger with chips and it was the first spicy food I’ve had in a while, though I think they overdid it a bit with the salt and pepper. We sat outside, but there is also a cozy spot with couches hidden away on the third floor –… Read more »
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 »
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 »