We got to Quito and immediately liked it. It wasn't as scary as San Jose and far prettier. We found a really nice hostal (L'Auberge Inn) with a pool room and a fire. We spent the first days looking for agencies for our Galapagos trip, eating in the many nice restaurants and celebrated Matthias' birthday with lot's of cocktails and fried guinea-pig. After we had thoroughly checked out all pubs in town, we finally decided to do some sight seeing and went to the 'Mitad del Mundo' (Middle of the World). Basically we went to stand on the equator, which obviously goes straight through Ecuador. It wasn't all that exciting. There was a big monument and a line on the ground.We took our obligatory photos and had a little stroll around the village.
Ecuador was our first country where we saw real indio people with their woven clothes, thick sock and babies carried in blanket. Not to mention the funny hats the women wear. So of course we took loads of photos of little dirty kids with snotty noses and women in colourful clothes.
Because it was so pretty and relaxed, we actually spent a lot more time in Quito then we actually had planned. Which was lucky really because we met Sven, a hyperactive German guy who started talking to us in an internet cafe. He told us about Sergio and the jungle. This sounded like adventure and we agreed to give it ago.
First, though we took a bus to go and see Sasquili Market. This is a big market in a town near Quito. They sell anything you can imagine, including animals, household article, pig's heads, food and hammocks. Now, I have to mention that the hammocks in Sasquili are the nicest and the cheapest. Unfortunately,we didn't react quickly enough and find it difficult to buy nice and cheap ones anywhere else.
|
