First Few Days

It's been a few days and I have aclamated to the altitude. The first few days I was very tired and just not feeling 100%. But now all is well, except for climbing up the hill to the hostel that still tires me out.

Our room in the hostel is plane but nice and has a great view.

The woman who runs the hostel invited me out a few nights ago to have coffee with some of her friends. She knew I had been hanging out at the hostel alone since Daniel's been working late this week. I met a woman from Canada, Nazli and we have been hanging out and checking out Quito together. It's nice to have someone with you to explore and make asses of ourselves trying to communicate with outhers.

It has only been a few days but I'm starting to get more comfortable here. I still have issues with the language and still feel like a tourist but I can see in the near future I will feel at home.

I'm taking 2 hour Spanish lessons in the morning during the week. Hopefully by the end I can say a few things. Well I already know the most important ones; how to order a beer or coffee :)

Last night Nazli and I went and saw a traditional Andeas dance performance. It was so wonderful. The music was ethereal and the traditional dresses were so colorful.

Today Daniel, Nazli, Daniel's friend Alex and I walked around and saw a little fiesta in San Francisco Plaza. I believe it was another group of indigenous peoples from the Andeas.

There is a newer part of Quito that I checked out a little yesterday. It is more modern and has a lot of tourists there. It kind of feels like any other large city. The locals call it Gringolandia. Which I think is pretty funny.
I have been trying to do one sketch/painting a day but it is a little difficult. With class in the morning and then site seeing in the afternoon. I've done a few.

Quito seems like a really wonderful city. It's colorful, the different types of people from Ecuador, the old city has a small charming feel to it, the peaks of hills and mountains that nestle the city. I'm glad I came.

First Day

After flying all day yesterday we got to the pension around 11:30pm. Between the excitement of travel, a small time change and a terrible matress I´m a little tired today. Not to mention I felt like passing out after walking up a flight of stairs with my laugage. The altitude definitely effects you.

After meeting with the woman who runs the pension we went out for a cup of coffee. Daniel and I walked a few blocks to one of the many squares in the old part of Quito. The streets and side walks are cobble stone and all one way streets. I say sidewalk but it can barely fit two people walking side by side. Since the city is in between two mountains the streets are hilly. So I´m getting my exercise.
I just had my first Spanish lesson. Today´s was only for an hour which was plenty but usually they will be 2 hours Monday through Friday, I think (Daniel negotiated with the pension in Spanish).
Even though it´s only 2:30 I´m ready for a nap.

Daniel had his first day of work today and should be back around 6. I will definitely have to entertain myself. Which I don´t think will be difficult and not after a few more Spanish lessons.

Well time for a nap, Adios for now.

June 15th

Our bags are packed. It's early and we are ready to go to the airport.
It feels like it has been a long time waiting for this moment. Yesterday the nerves hit.
Today I'm tired. I never sleep well the day before traveling.

It will be a day of flying and at the end I will be on another continent in a different time zone.