Quito, Ecuador

Quito is everything I had hoped! The houses liter the hills and mountains as far as the eye can see, and further. As the highest capital in the world, it is literally breathtaking.

Arriving at night, the lights across the city shown as bright as stars and lit the way to my hostel, Community Hostel in the Historical District. In the morning I woke up and had a beautiful breakfast of fruit, breakfast sandwich, fried egg and coffee (for $2!). I wanted to take a picture, but resisted my hipster ways. After breakfast I went on the free walking tour led by Ovi. I HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone. We walked for about 3 hours, touring La Rhonda (the bohemian district), the Historical District, markets, the Presidents House, San Francisco Church, the Basillica, museums and more. After sight-seeing and trying various market foods, a group of us continued on for lunch, then ventured to the Mitad del Mundo-city in the middle of the world.

When I said we ventured, I am not exaggerating! Our group of Aussies, Canadians, Germans and English boarded the city bus and navigated ourselves north to the equator. Two buses, lots of traffic and the best fro-yo ever, we made it to the museum 10minutes late. Lucky for us, the tour guide was so sweet and showed us around anyway. I had no idea how cool this area would be! It was like black magic! On the line, water drained without pooling, yet a foot in each direction and the direction the water rotated switched! (Think Bart Simspon calling Australia to ask which way the water spins when the toilet flushes). Other tricks included being able to balance an egg on a nail, and losing all strength due to the magnetic pool of this crazy equator line! We were all like little kids at a magic show! As if that weren’t enough, we got to see a REAL shrunken head, eyelashes, hair and all.

After leaving the middle of the world, we bussed back and had a late night dinner of beer and pizza (not real authentic….)
Yesterday, my new friends (the Aussies, Canadian, English, German) and I bussed north to Otavalo Market. This market is known throughout all of South America and is definitely a sight to see. Clothes, food, music and so many people pack the streets for this Saturday market. We indulged in coffee, chocolate, mused about street meet and purchased hippy harem pants that look utterly ridiculous.

After the market and bussing back to our perspective temporary homes, Theresa and Jacquie and I decided to enjoy a bit of night life. It was definitely a night to remember! We ate at an awesome restaurant called D’Vinci’s. The staff was soooo incredibly sweet and tolerated our atrocious attempts at hablo-ing Español. After two cocktails we wanted to find some dancing. The staff literally ran out the street to direct us into a karaoke bar across the street. He talked to the bouncers and next thing we knew we were singing Spice Girls in a club full of Ecuadorians with margaritas in hand. It wasn’t pretty (which anyone that has heard me sing can tell you), but as we looked around the club was full of people dancing and encouraging us on! It was such a blast. Then of course, we danced. Everyone was so lovely and we laughed the night away.

Today is my last day in Quito before I take the night bus to the Amazon. Needless to say, I will be heavily off the grid for the next 6sh days. Wish me a malaria free journey!

Adios!