Arrived in Quito slightly early, about 6:05. Passed through customs with no hitches; our luggage came off the carousel as fast as I have ever seen luggage come off. I walked out to the lobby and found a smiling Ecuadorian man with a sign that read JOE JOHNSON. I felt very important.
He led us to where our little bus - 30 seats, and there are 27 of us - came to pick us up. Some Ecuadorian men jumped in and volunteered to load our bags for us, and we wound up having to tip them. No big deal, just a minor annoyance I had forgotten about. We drove straight to the hotel, where a few key-doesnt-work-type snafus were quickly resolved. The students seem very excited by the hotel - it is modern, but modest, and has a very nice little vibe. We gave them until 8:30 to get themselves cleaned up and then we would be off to forage for victuals.
Russ and I scouted out eateries within walking distance, and found a cluster of three similar places about a 15-minute walk away. Scurried back to the hotel, got ourselves cleaned up, met up with the students in the lobby, and marched. They reveled in the warmth of the Quito night, giggling spontaneously at what it was like to be out in the open air in shirtsleeves again. Wait til they see Mindo.
We divided into two groups and ate at a chain restaurant, which was fine, if a bit predictable (lots of fried chicken and pork and potatoes), while another group ate at a nearby mom-and-pop restaurant. Literally - the woman waiting tables was the daughter of the owner. I left them there to fend for themselves, and their eyes were a little wide when I leapt out the door. But when I came back to check on them later, their food was arriving and they appeared to have survived the ordeal.
Post-meal, we trooped back up the almost empty Quito street and found a little mom-and-pop grocery store, where lots of people went in to buy water. (Some are feeling a bit headachy and such from the altitude.) While certain of our number were inside, and others waited on the sidewalk, someone going by in a van sprayed bubbles out the window, a sort of soapy foam, and nailed Russ in the neck. Carnaval! First victim!
Home again, and to bed. We meet at 8:00 for breakfast, and then to Old Quito, where we will begin the scavenger hunt. Mwa ha ha ha haaaaaaa!!
I am definitely over-tired...
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Oh to experience "shirtsleeves" as it continues to be 23 degrees and partly cloudy here in Lenox! The blog is a wonderful look over your collective shoulder as the adventure begins. Thanks for the layover view. It's funny how such bland transitions can hold one's attention. And don't forget it, JOE JOHNSON, you are the most important person in many people's lives right now! Can't WAIT to peek in on the scavenger hunt. . .Hope everyone got a good night's rest.
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