We were happy to leave the sweltering hot Amazon and Iquitos with the 50,000 motor-bikes behind to begin our next journey in Ecuador. Being on a budget our flight first made a stop in Lima, which is an hour south of Iquitos, then up to Quito landing at the insane hour of 2:30 am. Our layover in Lima was our first “American” experience since we had left. First we tried to buy 2 bottles of water which we were shocked to learn that they were $3 each (we had been paying $1). We gasped at the lady outraged and put one back.
The airport also had several American chains in including a Dunkin Donuts! Jon stood there in awe not saying a word. I asked what was wrong and he responded that he could not decide what to get. I asked if he was hungry and he responded no. He missed the comforts of home that much. He opted for McDonald’s, which of course he said did not taste the same.
After getting picked up at the airport at 3:00 am and making the hour drive over and into canyons we arrived at our B&B having seen nothing and unsure of where we even were. It was however, gloriously cool. The next day we had big hugs from the owner’s wife and a scrumptious breakfast while we looked at pictures of the owners’ pets. They kindly walked us to cab to head downtown, while putting a small amount of fear in us of possible thefts and where we should not walk and taking the city bus.
Quito is an amazing city in the center of a valley with buildings and houses rising up on either side of lush hillside with distant views of snow-capped mountains. There are glorious old buildings and churches, one of which was made with 7 tons of gold. There are also several view-points high above the city, we chose to go to El Panecillo.
From top left: Me standing in old town Quito, Jon and I with a view of El Panecillo high above, and view of the city and Cotopaxi from El Panecillo.
A highlight was making the hour plus city bus ride, yes against the B&B owner’s warnings to Mitad del Mundo equator monument. We were able to do some cool experiments and stand with one foot on each side of the line. 0’0’0’
Me and Jon on the equator, is he on both sides?
What we ate, we found a quaint little restaurant in an old monastery run by a man from New Orleans where we were able to sample the Ecuadorian staple of crispy on the outside and tender on the inside fried pork with corn that had giant kernels and not as sweet as ours back home and yucca. We also tried Locro de papa which is a hearty potato soup with cheese and avocado.
Jon paying for our meal in the quaint café.
Where we stayed No 1, Casa de la Gringa, like staying with your grandparents. We had a private room with the most comfortable bed yet (no need for ac here) with a bathroom for $42 a night with a substantial breakfast for $3 extra per person. It was in a quiet neighborhood and the owners were wonderful and very accommodating but a cab ride away from the center of town. If you stay, ask for some of their homemade chocolate with honey!
Me standing outside of the B&B, there were no signs just a traditional quaint house.
Where we stayed second time, Friends Hostel, which had a great central location in an old historic building on a pedestrian only street. We had a room with a private bath for $25 a night including breakfast which we did not get to sample because our flight to the Galapagos left early in the morning.
Me outside the hostel.
Journey with Christina 