Martes 24 de febrero en la noche - Quito
After passing through customs at Quito airport, and for the first time on my travels a very friendly and welcoming custom officer, I am greeted by my prebooked taxi, arranged by my hostel. My driver is friendly old man, with whom I have a staggered convo in Spanish during the 45 minute drive to the hostel.. ´Secret Garden´. The reception is at the top of the hostel, after climbing the 4 storeys I am greeted by a superb view of the historic part of the city. I am tired and plan to head straight to bed, but after heading back to the rooftop bar/reception/common area, inorder to get some water, I meet Florian (German) and Saskia (Dutch). After a brief chat with them I am invited to join them in the morning to explore the city. A new country, new city, new start and two new friends!
After passing through customs at Quito airport, and for the first time on my travels a very friendly and welcoming custom officer, I am greeted by my prebooked taxi, arranged by my hostel. My driver is friendly old man, with whom I have a staggered convo in Spanish during the 45 minute drive to the hostel.. ´Secret Garden´. The reception is at the top of the hostel, after climbing the 4 storeys I am greeted by a superb view of the historic part of the city. I am tired and plan to head straight to bed, but after heading back to the rooftop bar/reception/common area, inorder to get some water, I meet Florian (German) and Saskia (Dutch). After a brief chat with them I am invited to join them in the morning to explore the city. A new country, new city, new start and two new friends!
Miercoles 25 de febrero - Quito
At breakfast I chat more with Florian and Saskia, then soon after we make our way to the Basilica.. the grand Roman Catholic Church. First we pay $2 to get inside, viewing the inside of the church and then another $2 to climb the stairs to reach the roof and spires of the church. Parts of the climb are very steep, but we have great views of Quito. After spending some time here we make plans to travel to Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) in the afternoon, but first its time for lunch. We find a vegeterian restaurant with a $2 lunch deal.. soup/main meal/salad and juice.. very filling!
To get to Mitad del Mundo we have to take two buses, both take around 45minutes and the total cost is just 40cent. On arrival to Mitad del Mundo we visit the grand monument marking (.. I later find out is infact wrong..!) the equator line. Time for some pics! We take the bus back to the historic centre of Quito where our hostel is located and eat in the hostel.
At breakfast I chat more with Florian and Saskia, then soon after we make our way to the Basilica.. the grand Roman Catholic Church. First we pay $2 to get inside, viewing the inside of the church and then another $2 to climb the stairs to reach the roof and spires of the church. Parts of the climb are very steep, but we have great views of Quito. After spending some time here we make plans to travel to Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world) in the afternoon, but first its time for lunch. We find a vegeterian restaurant with a $2 lunch deal.. soup/main meal/salad and juice.. very filling!
To get to Mitad del Mundo we have to take two buses, both take around 45minutes and the total cost is just 40cent. On arrival to Mitad del Mundo we visit the grand monument marking (.. I later find out is infact wrong..!) the equator line. Time for some pics! We take the bus back to the historic centre of Quito where our hostel is located and eat in the hostel.
Jueves 26 de febrero - Quito
Today I plan to go on the tour for tips walking tour but after a late start, and not quite following the correct directions given to me to get to the starting point, I instead head back to the hostel and get some lunch from a nearby restaurant recommended to me by my taxi driver from the airport.
Later I attempt to watch Spurs’ 2nd leg Europa League game on my tablet but it is disrupted throughout by constant buffering.. a disappointing 2-0 defeat, and out of the competition. I then use the afternoon to make contact with friends and family, the five hours time difference behind the UK I now find myself with means this is a good time for contacting those back in the UK. Another lazy evening in the hostel, eating and drinking with others from my dorm.
Later I attempt to watch Spurs’ 2nd leg Europa League game on my tablet but it is disrupted throughout by constant buffering.. a disappointing 2-0 defeat, and out of the competition. I then use the afternoon to make contact with friends and family, the five hours time difference behind the UK I now find myself with means this is a good time for contacting those back in the UK. Another lazy evening in the hostel, eating and drinking with others from my dorm.
Viernes 27 de febrero - Quito
Today I make it to the walking tour! An insightful way to see the historic part of the city. Tomorrow I will be heading to my volunteering destination (for the next 5-8 weeks). After having lunch I take the bus further into the city in order to locate and buy possibly a sleeping bag, pillow, torch and stationary supplies in preparation. The first place I find myself in is expensive, so I decline the option of buying a sleeping bag here.. I find a Papel shop and buy stationary for the school. After looking through endless shops I eventually find a supermarket which sells pillows! In the evening I head to a free concert at the Jesuit Church, along with a group from my hostel. The church is impressive inside.. fully covered in gold! The concert is great, how good it is too hear a live orchestra, the sounds reverberating around the church.
Today I make it to the walking tour! An insightful way to see the historic part of the city. Tomorrow I will be heading to my volunteering destination (for the next 5-8 weeks). After having lunch I take the bus further into the city in order to locate and buy possibly a sleeping bag, pillow, torch and stationary supplies in preparation. The first place I find myself in is expensive, so I decline the option of buying a sleeping bag here.. I find a Papel shop and buy stationary for the school. After looking through endless shops I eventually find a supermarket which sells pillows! In the evening I head to a free concert at the Jesuit Church, along with a group from my hostel. The church is impressive inside.. fully covered in gold! The concert is great, how good it is too hear a live orchestra, the sounds reverberating around the church.
