Traditional dancing

There is entertainment every day in one of the plazas. Today it was traditional dancing from various provinces in Ecuador.
The Andean pipes are lovely to hear.
Michelle

In Quito

This is the worlds second highest capital city at 2800 mts. It literally takes your breath away when you walk up hill. The active volcano of Pinchincha is very close because the city is situated on the flanks of this volcano.
The surrounding "hills" are well over 4000 mts, but they look strangely closer than that. One reason is that we are equatorial, so vegetation is still present at very high altitudes.
The Mitad del Mundo is the monument to the centre of the world where you can stand with one foot in the southern hemisphere and the other in the northern hemisphere.
Some of the churches date back to about 1550. The churches are decorated in a strange mix of Baroque, Moorish and Inca motif's.
Most of the people look distinctly Indian. There is a clear class distinction between people with ancestry from Spain, and those who are Indian or a mix (called Mestizos).
We are gradually losing or headache from the altitude, and begin Spanish school tomorrow for 2 weeks. Hearing the language all around is helping. We move in with our host family tonight.
Michelle.

Hasta la vista.

Hasta que nos volvamos a encontrar en Quito.
Packs locked into travel bags, out going passenger card done, and list checked.
Hand luggage done, so I guess a visit to say good bye to my 86 yo mother is next :(
Will we get any sleep considering we have to be up at 2am?
Michelle

I am so sorry that, at this late stage, one member of our group is now unable to join us.
We have had some lovely times together, and the group is already beginning to bond. His presence will be sorely missed.
He will be there in spirit, and by photograph!!

Ready to go - almost.

Quito Ecuador here we come.
These backpacks hold our life for the next 3+ months.
Camping gear, walking boots, sandals, sleeping bags, clothing for the tropics and down jackets for negative temperatures in the high Andes. Quite a few bottles of antiseptic gel, snacks, Spanish language dictionary and THE biggest first aid and medical kit of all time.
Michelle

Excitement

Two weeks and we leave.
So much to do at home, but all in place for the Galapagos and the treks.
Michelle

We had a terrific dinner on Saturday night, thanks Pam & Jeff. Great to see all of the group together and really looking forward to the trip. I think we'll have an interesting and fun time.

John