September 11, Thursday: Travel
September 12, Friday: Travel, Quito
September 13, Saturday: Galapagos, Darwin Station
September 14, Sunday: Dive Floreana
September 15, Monday: Dive Gordon Rocks
September 16, Tuesday: Turtles, lava tubes, cliff jumping
September 17, Wednesday: Travel to Banos, volcano, fogata (bonfire)
September 18, Thursday: rafting and biking, shopping, hot tub
September 19, Friday: Biking in Cotopaxi, Quito
September 20, Saturday: Historic Quito, Jazz concert
September 21, Sunday: Fly home
Showing posts with label Ecuador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ecuador. Show all posts
Historic Quito
(from my travel journal)
I am atrasada with my writing, so I am skipping ahead to the present for a moment--the last day of my trip.
Everybody left this morning so I'm touring Historic Quito by myself. I'm currently in probably the most magnificent Latin American cathedral I have seen to date. It is made from volcanic rock, but every inch is covered, mostly in intricate gold designs with a maroon background. The colors almost make me think of China, but instead of Buddha on the wall, there are carved scenes of Jesus, the Quinteno artists from the 18th century of various saints, and a calvary scene.
In front of me is the altar with the first Quitena saint's remains, and the twistin columns of the Baroque style. In the center are carved wooden statues of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus with a cloud full of little faces above Him and then God the Father holding a blue globe--I'm guessing the world.
From the back of teh cathedral I hear continous changing which I find very soothing after my crying spell at the Radisson (they'd tried to charge us for breakfast, but Becky and I didn't know were were supposed to pay. They were very kind and finally didn't make me pay. Probably the crying helped, although it did come mostly on its own.). I also hear the continuous chants of the Quitenos who want Ecuadorianos to vote "si" for a more socialistic constitution next Sunday.
I'm trying to listen to tours. I wish I could just get one, but it's nice to go at one's own pace as well. I'm sort of a nerd and like to know information.
I know why I like this church so much--the designs are Moorish. I love Muslim art: the arches, the interesting designs, swirls, stars, etc. What I find interesting is that sitting on my pew I can see the Incan symbol. Also, of course, there are tons of faces with Indian characteristics, fruit, and suns. One sees that a lot in Latin American churches because the Catholics would try to entice the indigenous to enter with these symbols.
Interestingly enough there is an organ here made in the USA. Also there are two staircases, but only one is real--the other is painted on the wall.
This morning I visited churches and then a museum of a rich lady who gave most of her goods to poor children after she died. While a sort of creepy guy gave me the tour, it started pouring down rain. i was enjoying looking at all the art deco Czech Republicish paintings and painted glass, but eventually I had to head out into the rain.
It took a while to find a taxi that would actually take me back to Plaza Fosch in the New Quito. I'm sure it was because there were a gazillion people hinding under eaves looking for a taxi, so they figured they'd get more money taking people short distances. Thankfully an old man brought me to the plaza and actually used his meter. I gave him 50 cents extra for being so splendid.
I wasn't sure what to do in all the rain and with only 30 or so minutes until all the museums and churches would close. I decided to go to the colcal internet cafe called Flandernet after Ned Flanders of the Simpsons. I started writing emails when I noticed Stella was online. She said hello and from there we chatted over an hour. I was stoked becasue we hadn't really communicated in a long time. We chatted about her life in Spain, my visit to Ecuador, and about a lot of really random stuff. I told her how a few times this trip my crying has helped us not have to pay for things we didn't think we had to pay for )our alst night in Galapagos, and becky and I's breakfast this morning at the Radisson). Sometimes being emotional can be helpful. She then related a Simpson's anecdote about grandpa saying he can turn his emotions on and off like a faucet and then he immediately starts laughing, crying, laughing, and then crying again. Good ole grandpa. I'm so stoked Darren and I get to go visit Stella and Jason during spring break for more hilarity.
I continued chatting with Stella until the rain stopped and she had to go to sleep (it was around 12:30AM her time). I stopped by the Magic Bean to warm up with some hot chocolate and try to decide what to do next. I wanted to maybe go to the "middle of the world" but it was already around 6PM and at the equator, the sun always sets around that time.
I decided to check into my hostel and then hit up a free jazz concert in the courtyard outside of Teatro Sucre. I was okay with it because I think it would be more fun to take a lot of cheesy pictures at the equator (i.e. doing backbends over both hemispheres) with friends then by myself, and I'd already seen a lot of cool touristic sites in the morning. My favorites were La Compania (what I've already written about) and the Centro Municipal Museum. The latter had fantastic sculptures and a section that had a guide who took me and another couple folks through various rooms in which she described all about Ecuador and its history. I was very impressed and learned a lot. Most memorable was one of the Jesuit rooms in which she could talk in one corner and another person could hear her perfectly well in the opposite corner. The room was constructed like this because there was a lot of sickness at the time, so the sacerdote could avoid contracting the disease by staying far away.
Equally impressive was the multi-media representation of patriots being killed in underground cells. Lights flickered, there were yells--it reminded me a lot of the Alamo exhibit in San Antonio, Texas.
That being said, I'd seen a lot of cool stuff, but still wanted to do more. So after my chat, and checking in, I walked around until I saw a colorful restaurant on a second floor advertising international food. Boy, was eating there a good decision. I ordered a humita and hot chocolate (actually I said hummus, but the humita was just as satisfying) and spent the next 45 minutes or so perched in a seat looking down upon the street. Such crazy stuff can happen in a partyish block in just a small amount of time. Women dressed up as devils advertised in short skirts for Club Diablos, couples walked by, but most crazy was this young curlied hair guy walking ataxically with a beer bottle who collapsed right under where I was sitting. I watched him lie on the ground for quite awhile with his beer spilling everywhere. Eventually he used a gate to pull himself upright and continue stumbling around leaving a stream of beer behind him. I saw him drinking more on the street later on and then a snare drum with the claps of his friend in front of him.
After paying I talked to one of the owners for probably 15-30 minutes. He is originally from Uruguay. We talked about his daughter in Dallas, traveling, working, etc. he asked me to chat with him after the jazz concert. I said maybe, but I knew I wouldn't come back. Going to talk witha 40 year old man late at night just seems a little sketchy to me even though he was super nice.
By the time I got a taxi to Teatro Sucre, the jazz concert was in full swing. I sat on the ground next to what looked like a mixture of Latin Americans and USA exchange students. I listended to the last song of one group which lasted 30 minutes--that's jazz! Then I ended up talking to the youngins. They were super cool. One girl, Heidi from Oklahoma, is just in her fifth week of an exchange year. I told her about my year in Argentina. She's stoked about her experience already which is awesome.
The funniest, most enthusiastic taxi driver gave me a ride back to the Plaza Foch. He kept cursing, but we spoke about traveling (of course), outdoor activities, and music.
Man, now I've been sitting in another super colorful restaurant for about an hour and I am SUPER tired. I just hope I can wake up in time tomorrow to get my bag from Radisson and catch my flight.
I hope I can fall asleep because my room smells a bit like turpentine.
I am atrasada with my writing, so I am skipping ahead to the present for a moment--the last day of my trip.
Everybody left this morning so I'm touring Historic Quito by myself. I'm currently in probably the most magnificent Latin American cathedral I have seen to date. It is made from volcanic rock, but every inch is covered, mostly in intricate gold designs with a maroon background. The colors almost make me think of China, but instead of Buddha on the wall, there are carved scenes of Jesus, the Quinteno artists from the 18th century of various saints, and a calvary scene.
In front of me is the altar with the first Quitena saint's remains, and the twistin columns of the Baroque style. In the center are carved wooden statues of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus with a cloud full of little faces above Him and then God the Father holding a blue globe--I'm guessing the world.
From the back of teh cathedral I hear continous changing which I find very soothing after my crying spell at the Radisson (they'd tried to charge us for breakfast, but Becky and I didn't know were were supposed to pay. They were very kind and finally didn't make me pay. Probably the crying helped, although it did come mostly on its own.). I also hear the continuous chants of the Quitenos who want Ecuadorianos to vote "si" for a more socialistic constitution next Sunday.
I'm trying to listen to tours. I wish I could just get one, but it's nice to go at one's own pace as well. I'm sort of a nerd and like to know information.
I know why I like this church so much--the designs are Moorish. I love Muslim art: the arches, the interesting designs, swirls, stars, etc. What I find interesting is that sitting on my pew I can see the Incan symbol. Also, of course, there are tons of faces with Indian characteristics, fruit, and suns. One sees that a lot in Latin American churches because the Catholics would try to entice the indigenous to enter with these symbols.
Interestingly enough there is an organ here made in the USA. Also there are two staircases, but only one is real--the other is painted on the wall.
This morning I visited churches and then a museum of a rich lady who gave most of her goods to poor children after she died. While a sort of creepy guy gave me the tour, it started pouring down rain. i was enjoying looking at all the art deco Czech Republicish paintings and painted glass, but eventually I had to head out into the rain.
It took a while to find a taxi that would actually take me back to Plaza Fosch in the New Quito. I'm sure it was because there were a gazillion people hinding under eaves looking for a taxi, so they figured they'd get more money taking people short distances. Thankfully an old man brought me to the plaza and actually used his meter. I gave him 50 cents extra for being so splendid.
I wasn't sure what to do in all the rain and with only 30 or so minutes until all the museums and churches would close. I decided to go to the colcal internet cafe called Flandernet after Ned Flanders of the Simpsons. I started writing emails when I noticed Stella was online. She said hello and from there we chatted over an hour. I was stoked becasue we hadn't really communicated in a long time. We chatted about her life in Spain, my visit to Ecuador, and about a lot of really random stuff. I told her how a few times this trip my crying has helped us not have to pay for things we didn't think we had to pay for )our alst night in Galapagos, and becky and I's breakfast this morning at the Radisson). Sometimes being emotional can be helpful. She then related a Simpson's anecdote about grandpa saying he can turn his emotions on and off like a faucet and then he immediately starts laughing, crying, laughing, and then crying again. Good ole grandpa. I'm so stoked Darren and I get to go visit Stella and Jason during spring break for more hilarity.
I continued chatting with Stella until the rain stopped and she had to go to sleep (it was around 12:30AM her time). I stopped by the Magic Bean to warm up with some hot chocolate and try to decide what to do next. I wanted to maybe go to the "middle of the world" but it was already around 6PM and at the equator, the sun always sets around that time.
I decided to check into my hostel and then hit up a free jazz concert in the courtyard outside of Teatro Sucre. I was okay with it because I think it would be more fun to take a lot of cheesy pictures at the equator (i.e. doing backbends over both hemispheres) with friends then by myself, and I'd already seen a lot of cool touristic sites in the morning. My favorites were La Compania (what I've already written about) and the Centro Municipal Museum. The latter had fantastic sculptures and a section that had a guide who took me and another couple folks through various rooms in which she described all about Ecuador and its history. I was very impressed and learned a lot. Most memorable was one of the Jesuit rooms in which she could talk in one corner and another person could hear her perfectly well in the opposite corner. The room was constructed like this because there was a lot of sickness at the time, so the sacerdote could avoid contracting the disease by staying far away.
Equally impressive was the multi-media representation of patriots being killed in underground cells. Lights flickered, there were yells--it reminded me a lot of the Alamo exhibit in San Antonio, Texas.
That being said, I'd seen a lot of cool stuff, but still wanted to do more. So after my chat, and checking in, I walked around until I saw a colorful restaurant on a second floor advertising international food. Boy, was eating there a good decision. I ordered a humita and hot chocolate (actually I said hummus, but the humita was just as satisfying) and spent the next 45 minutes or so perched in a seat looking down upon the street. Such crazy stuff can happen in a partyish block in just a small amount of time. Women dressed up as devils advertised in short skirts for Club Diablos, couples walked by, but most crazy was this young curlied hair guy walking ataxically with a beer bottle who collapsed right under where I was sitting. I watched him lie on the ground for quite awhile with his beer spilling everywhere. Eventually he used a gate to pull himself upright and continue stumbling around leaving a stream of beer behind him. I saw him drinking more on the street later on and then a snare drum with the claps of his friend in front of him.
After paying I talked to one of the owners for probably 15-30 minutes. He is originally from Uruguay. We talked about his daughter in Dallas, traveling, working, etc. he asked me to chat with him after the jazz concert. I said maybe, but I knew I wouldn't come back. Going to talk witha 40 year old man late at night just seems a little sketchy to me even though he was super nice.
By the time I got a taxi to Teatro Sucre, the jazz concert was in full swing. I sat on the ground next to what looked like a mixture of Latin Americans and USA exchange students. I listended to the last song of one group which lasted 30 minutes--that's jazz! Then I ended up talking to the youngins. They were super cool. One girl, Heidi from Oklahoma, is just in her fifth week of an exchange year. I told her about my year in Argentina. She's stoked about her experience already which is awesome.
The funniest, most enthusiastic taxi driver gave me a ride back to the Plaza Foch. He kept cursing, but we spoke about traveling (of course), outdoor activities, and music.
Man, now I've been sitting in another super colorful restaurant for about an hour and I am SUPER tired. I just hope I can wake up in time tomorrow to get my bag from Radisson and catch my flight.
I hope I can fall asleep because my room smells a bit like turpentine.
Ecuador, son!
Ecuadorian bunnies. Please don't eat them!
Biking down Cotopaxi, the tallest active volcano on earth, with our super cheverre guide
Some of My Favorite Ecuador SCUBA Videos
Look for the hammerhead shark above the eagle rays
My attempt to dance with the sealion
White Tip Sharks Scaring the fishies away (but not us!)
Ecuador Garden Eels. The Galapagos is the only place you'll find them!
Becky and I checking out the sea turtles
Gordon Rocks and More Drama
Demonstrating the SCUBA signs for turtle, seahorse, and hammerhead shark
We dove three more times today, but before we began, we once again had to fight against injustice. We me our dive guide Rafael outside our hotel and took a bus with him and just us through Santa Cruz, past Los Gemelos (massive sink holes), and finally to the channel that goes to Baltra.
On the way Rafael told us the agency had given us the slow boat, so we wouldn't be able to go to all the sites we were told we'd visit. Well, we had a hissy fit, of course, and he said he would talk to the captain. We told him we did not care if it took us more time to get to the sites--we just wanted to go.
We reached the channel and everything went beautifully. Our ship was slow but super comfortable. The front of the ship had a huge cushiony area that all of us could lie on and recline. And we got to go to all of our sites: Gordon Rocks, North Seymour, and Mosquera.
Our First Dives-Floreana
And fun is what we had. We did 3 dives near Floreana with a fantastic crew of three guys to aid us. The first was Cormorant, a dive with tons of sea-stars, fish, a batfish, turtles, a sea lion, and an eagle ray. The second place, Champion, was right amongst a few sea lion colonies. During our rest time, we ate a bit of lunch, then sat on the front of the boat watching the lions as a crew member wearing a Boca Juniors shirt told us all about sea lions, their colonies, and their fighting.
Time passed quickly and soon we were in the water swimming with the sea lions. I actually touched them, they were so close! We also saw white-tipped sharks. A bunch were stuffed in a cave. A few swam right out towards us.
The third dive, Henderville, was beside an underwater crater about five minutes drive away. It was about a degree Celsius colder, and I could tell! But we did see a ton of turtles, barracuda, and other fish.
At night we ate rice, potato patties, salad, naranjillo juice, and a chocolate roll for desert. Then we walked into town again for Ryan to get ice cream and check if the Broncos won (that had....39 to 38 against UCLA. I thought that was a college team!)
Time passed quickly and soon we were in the water swimming with the sea lions. I actually touched them, they were so close! We also saw white-tipped sharks. A bunch were stuffed in a cave. A few swam right out towards us.
The third dive, Henderville, was beside an underwater crater about five minutes drive away. It was about a degree Celsius colder, and I could tell! But we did see a ton of turtles, barracuda, and other fish.
At night we ate rice, potato patties, salad, naranjillo juice, and a chocolate roll for desert. Then we walked into town again for Ryan to get ice cream and check if the Broncos won (that had....39 to 38 against UCLA. I thought that was a college team!)
On to the Tortoises!
We had an early flight at 7:30AM that stopped in Guayaquil and then Baltra. I switched places on the plane with Richard to sit next to Becky. He ended up having a hissy fit because the lady beside him whipped out her breast and started nursing her baby. Poor guy.
On shore we met up with our guy. I had a bit of trouble finding my luggage recept but eventually made it through okay. We took a bus drive through the deserty island, then a ferry over to Santa Cruz. As we landed, we spotted our first sea lions swimming and resting on the concrete boat ramp. We took another bus quite a long ways through jungle, past sharp cliffs, and eventually towns until we reached the main part of town. A man took us to the hotel and told us we had until three until we would have a tour at the Darwin Station. It was twelveish, so we ate lunch and walked around town looking a closed shops and meandering down a wooden pathway surrounded by massive amounts of pelicans. We also passed some fisherman who had just brought in the tuna of the day.
We got back in time to buy some things at the local supermarket and meet our guide. We walked the path we'd just taken and beyond to the station.
Our guide was awesome. He was born and raised in Santa Cruz and has worked a lot with the station. He was extremely knowlegeable. He showed us marine iguanas and then a heap load of turtles explaining all about them, their differences, and their struggles. I loved it.
We stopped at the dive shop to get our gear ready for the next day. That's when the crazy drama happened, but I'm kind of too sick to write about it. We all just decided to just have fun with what eventually was planned.
The Salchiche
(from my travel journal)
Yesterday my flight to Quito was super fun. I had a window seat and great seat mates. To my left was a little boy and his mom, Areceli. They are from Spain and Araceli gave me her number to come visit or call when Darren and I are there in March. I don't think what will happen because because she lives in Madrid, but it was a nice gesture.
Sitting behind me were two men working for the Navy. One was originally from Ecuador. When he saw how excited I was about all the snowcapped mountains we passed, he started telling me their names. We also chatted about his navy experience. He says he only has two years left, and then he'll probably move back to Ecuador. He has dual citizenship which, of course, is awesome.
Equally cool was my taxi driver to the Royal Radisson. he told me Quito is called the "salchiche" (hot dog) because it is super narrow--it's a valley between humungo mountains. I ended up telling him I was studying physical therapy and he immediately asked me about if he should continue having his daughter use orthotics. I told him that honestly I didn't know--that I still have two more years to go. He told me to come back then ;).
At the Radisson I found out we'd been upgraded to a suite. So after drinking some tasty strawberry juice in the lobby, and reluctantly giving my credit card to be swiped and used as a "guarantee," I took advantage of the giant bed.
I slept until Richard and Ryan arrived. We decided to take the teleferico up to about 13,400 feet (4100 meters). Firts we had to deposit a heap of money ($590 each!) for our time in the Galapagos. We missed the bank next to our hotel being open by five minutes. We reluctantly took a taxi to another bank a mall. Ryan purchased some coffee while I got a disgusting panini and a mora batido in the food court.
Surprisingly Richard got the money taken care of quite quickly, and we took of to the mountain.
Arriving we found ourselves next to a cheap fair-ish park and the entrance. It was about 6PM and hardly anyone was around. We bought tickets, hopped in one of the little gondolas, and admired the desertlike grasses along our slow ascent. Ryan talked non-stop the whole way up. I've never met someone so talkative, but it was kind of interesting to observe.
We took handstand pictures under magnificent clouds, then walked around snapping pictures of Quito under a full moon.
We wanted to meet Becky, so we rode back down, got an entire bus four ourselves for only $5 and got back just in time to meet her in the lobby.
She settled in and then we walked to the restaurant area. We decided on a place called the Magic Bean where we had hummus, pitas, avocado and Greek balls, vegetarian burgers, and a massive cheese empanada. Yum!
Yesterday my flight to Quito was super fun. I had a window seat and great seat mates. To my left was a little boy and his mom, Areceli. They are from Spain and Araceli gave me her number to come visit or call when Darren and I are there in March. I don't think what will happen because because she lives in Madrid, but it was a nice gesture.
Sitting behind me were two men working for the Navy. One was originally from Ecuador. When he saw how excited I was about all the snowcapped mountains we passed, he started telling me their names. We also chatted about his navy experience. He says he only has two years left, and then he'll probably move back to Ecuador. He has dual citizenship which, of course, is awesome.
Equally cool was my taxi driver to the Royal Radisson. he told me Quito is called the "salchiche" (hot dog) because it is super narrow--it's a valley between humungo mountains. I ended up telling him I was studying physical therapy and he immediately asked me about if he should continue having his daughter use orthotics. I told him that honestly I didn't know--that I still have two more years to go. He told me to come back then ;).
At the Radisson I found out we'd been upgraded to a suite. So after drinking some tasty strawberry juice in the lobby, and reluctantly giving my credit card to be swiped and used as a "guarantee," I took advantage of the giant bed.
I slept until Richard and Ryan arrived. We decided to take the teleferico up to about 13,400 feet (4100 meters). Firts we had to deposit a heap of money ($590 each!) for our time in the Galapagos. We missed the bank next to our hotel being open by five minutes. We reluctantly took a taxi to another bank a mall. Ryan purchased some coffee while I got a disgusting panini and a mora batido in the food court.
Surprisingly Richard got the money taken care of quite quickly, and we took of to the mountain.
Arriving we found ourselves next to a cheap fair-ish park and the entrance. It was about 6PM and hardly anyone was around. We bought tickets, hopped in one of the little gondolas, and admired the desertlike grasses along our slow ascent. Ryan talked non-stop the whole way up. I've never met someone so talkative, but it was kind of interesting to observe.
We took handstand pictures under magnificent clouds, then walked around snapping pictures of Quito under a full moon.
We wanted to meet Becky, so we rode back down, got an entire bus four ourselves for only $5 and got back just in time to meet her in the lobby.
She settled in and then we walked to the restaurant area. We decided on a place called the Magic Bean where we had hummus, pitas, avocado and Greek balls, vegetarian burgers, and a massive cheese empanada. Yum!
Travel to Ecuador...in real time
(Taken from my travel journal)
The seven year anniversary of 9/11 is today, and I find myself sitting in an airplane with the intension to fly to Bogota, Columbia and then onto Quito, Ecuador. Currently the seat next to me is open and my little heart wishes with all its fibers that it remains free. I love, love, love having great airplane conversations. I've had a lot of them in the past. But it's 9PM, I'll be arriving in Quito around 11AM, so I wish to sleep
I'm home free except that a little girl, probably about four years old, is sitting just in front of me llorando y llorando. When she looks back at me I make the funniest faces I can think of. She calms down a bit. That's what I use my expressions for--getting people's minds off things, trying to make a situation more comfortable.
We've just taken off and already, in a matter of seconds, I've lost sight of L.A.'s endless monstrosity of lights. This morning I went with my boyfriend Darren to get his new car detailed and eat some breakfast together at Mimi's Cafe while we waited. Already a crazy marine layer covered the city.
Oh, I have moved. A lady with amazingly high platform/high heels asked if I minded moving to a row of middle seats so her son could have the window. She mentioned that I'd have three seats (more room). Well, I gladly accepted, and she was super grateful.
Hoarg. I'm back to two seats. Well, I've got a trippy movie to watch: Speed Racer. Very trippy and colorful.
I became so angry during the night; I didn't get much sleep. On the bright side, we are flying through very fluffy clouds into a country I've never been to--Columbia.
This flight was interesting because I'm pretty much the only non-Hispanic person. Perhaps this is because the website, ticket, everything was in Spanish. In LAX at the counter they spoke to me in Spanish. I'm guessing the company, Avianca, is Columbian.
Probably the strangest thing of this flight is that at the beginning they would ask me to fold my blanket. Odd.
We are landing now and on both sides I can see mountains and trees poking out of a thick layer of fog. It's pretty.
I found the experience of going to the international gates a little odd. I went through security again, got frisked, and arrived in a small gate area that is quite modern, but nothing special. There are tiny shop booths, cubby holes to do internet or phone calls, and a spot to get massages. Not too much to do or eat, but I'll enjoy watching the people and reading my Frommer's Ecuador book.
Things we want to do in Ecuador:
1. Dive in the Galapagos
2 . Hike in Cotopaxi (we don't have enough time to go to the summit)
3. Raft in Tena
4. Explore Quito
I think that is pretty much what we barely have time for. My book suggests this itinerary for the "Adventure Traveler." That is exactly with whom I'm traveling: Becky, her brother Ryan, and a fella named Richard.
The seven year anniversary of 9/11 is today, and I find myself sitting in an airplane with the intension to fly to Bogota, Columbia and then onto Quito, Ecuador. Currently the seat next to me is open and my little heart wishes with all its fibers that it remains free. I love, love, love having great airplane conversations. I've had a lot of them in the past. But it's 9PM, I'll be arriving in Quito around 11AM, so I wish to sleep
I'm home free except that a little girl, probably about four years old, is sitting just in front of me llorando y llorando. When she looks back at me I make the funniest faces I can think of. She calms down a bit. That's what I use my expressions for--getting people's minds off things, trying to make a situation more comfortable.
We've just taken off and already, in a matter of seconds, I've lost sight of L.A.'s endless monstrosity of lights. This morning I went with my boyfriend Darren to get his new car detailed and eat some breakfast together at Mimi's Cafe while we waited. Already a crazy marine layer covered the city.
Oh, I have moved. A lady with amazingly high platform/high heels asked if I minded moving to a row of middle seats so her son could have the window. She mentioned that I'd have three seats (more room). Well, I gladly accepted, and she was super grateful.
Hoarg. I'm back to two seats. Well, I've got a trippy movie to watch: Speed Racer. Very trippy and colorful.
I became so angry during the night; I didn't get much sleep. On the bright side, we are flying through very fluffy clouds into a country I've never been to--Columbia.
This flight was interesting because I'm pretty much the only non-Hispanic person. Perhaps this is because the website, ticket, everything was in Spanish. In LAX at the counter they spoke to me in Spanish. I'm guessing the company, Avianca, is Columbian.
Probably the strangest thing of this flight is that at the beginning they would ask me to fold my blanket. Odd.
We are landing now and on both sides I can see mountains and trees poking out of a thick layer of fog. It's pretty.
I found the experience of going to the international gates a little odd. I went through security again, got frisked, and arrived in a small gate area that is quite modern, but nothing special. There are tiny shop booths, cubby holes to do internet or phone calls, and a spot to get massages. Not too much to do or eat, but I'll enjoy watching the people and reading my Frommer's Ecuador book.
Things we want to do in Ecuador:
1. Dive in the Galapagos
2 . Hike in Cotopaxi (we don't have enough time to go to the summit)
3. Raft in Tena
4. Explore Quito
I think that is pretty much what we barely have time for. My book suggests this itinerary for the "Adventure Traveler." That is exactly with whom I'm traveling: Becky, her brother Ryan, and a fella named Richard.
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