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...
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Landed in COLOMBIA!!!
And this Spanish keyboard is a bear! But we arrived here right on time, at 1 oclock, and have been having a grand old time relaxing in this cozy airport in Bogota. Uneventful - our bus driver on the way down was a guy named Ashley, with whom I had a three-hour conversation, and the guy I sat next to on the plane from NYC was from Peru, and I had a two-hour conversation with him. Big fun. Our plane was BRAND-new, and the landing very smooth.
Kevin, Britney, Aaron and I played hacky-sack, and I rocked the house. The rest of them were really not very good. Just being honest.
Several foods tried already - and Frannie has been delighted with being spoken to automatically in Spanish. They take dollars in the airport here, which makes this airline all the more convenient.
We are scheduled to take off at 4:40PM, and all are in great spirits. We had a BRAND new plane on the way down. Wahaa!
Fifteen minutes of internet cost me a dollar thirty, so Im going to quick publish this before Im cut off. We are all well!
BANZAI!
Kevin, Britney, Aaron and I played hacky-sack, and I rocked the house. The rest of them were really not very good. Just being honest.
Several foods tried already - and Frannie has been delighted with being spoken to automatically in Spanish. They take dollars in the airport here, which makes this airline all the more convenient.
We are scheduled to take off at 4:40PM, and all are in great spirits. We had a BRAND new plane on the way down. Wahaa!
Fifteen minutes of internet cost me a dollar thirty, so Im going to quick publish this before Im cut off. We are all well!
BANZAI!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
New Item for Packing List!
JUST remembered this one:
FLASHLIGHT!
Bring one! There will be at least one early-morning birdwatching expedition, and it'll be dark. If you don't have one, you can stumble along in the dark well enough - a lot of us did it last year. But a flashlight would help a lot.
They can also be purchased in Mindo, but as long as you've got the suitcase open, and the flashlight is lying right there...
OK! Off to sleep!
(Yeah, right...)
FLASHLIGHT!
Bring one! There will be at least one early-morning birdwatching expedition, and it'll be dark. If you don't have one, you can stumble along in the dark well enough - a lot of us did it last year. But a flashlight would help a lot.
They can also be purchased in Mindo, but as long as you've got the suitcase open, and the flashlight is lying right there...
OK! Off to sleep!
(Yeah, right...)
Mindo Possibilities!
Hello all! Well, as we approach the zero hour, there have been some minor snags on the Ecuador-side, specifically in Mindo. The guide we used on our previous trip, Luis Narváez, turned out to be booked for the days we're going to be there, but he had another guide he wanted to recommend to me, if I would call him back around 7:00 that evening. And that was the last I've been able to speak with Luis. So as of right now, we have officially not booked a guide for Mindo.
But as I told the students in class on Tuesday, that doesn't necessarily mean too much. Mindo is very small, and many attractions are within walking distance. Including this one:
Mindo Canopy Tours!
This was recommended to me the last time we were there. On an afternoon when the students were relaxing, I took a walk to see if I could scope out other good hotels. I found a fantastic one right in town, but unfortunately it only takes about 13 people. But I met the owner, an American woman who was married to an Ecuadorian and who had recently opened the place. (Her place is called Caskaffesu, and it's one of the most professionally-run in town.) I told her about a bit of a misadventure we'd had on a tubing expedition, and that I hadn't felt safe, and so was not eager to try the ziplines through the canopy. But she told me that the folks who run the zip lines are not at all like the tubing folks: It was exactly the reverse. The tubing is unsafe, and the canopy tour is safe. They're an international company with outlets in Costa Rica and other countries, with years of experience, quality people, and quality materials. I told her I would consider it for the next tour, but with all the hiking and birdwatching that seems a lot more authentic and overall-educational, it didn't seem like we would have time. (Much to Ms. Gernat's dismay.)
And now that I'm at home researching things that can be done in Mindo within walking distance of town, this same adventure tour company came up. 2.5 kilometers from the center of town, $15 per person, 1.5 miles of zip lines.
My question to you parents would be: Is there any objection? Their reviews online have been stellar, and the talk on the ground in Mindo was that a lot of people were jealous of them for their professionalism and reputation. But, because it does involve helmets, I did not want to simply throw it out once we're on the ground. Please send me an email if you have any doubts or concerns!
Back to trip prep - have a great "snow" day!
But as I told the students in class on Tuesday, that doesn't necessarily mean too much. Mindo is very small, and many attractions are within walking distance. Including this one:
Mindo Canopy Tours!
This was recommended to me the last time we were there. On an afternoon when the students were relaxing, I took a walk to see if I could scope out other good hotels. I found a fantastic one right in town, but unfortunately it only takes about 13 people. But I met the owner, an American woman who was married to an Ecuadorian and who had recently opened the place. (Her place is called Caskaffesu, and it's one of the most professionally-run in town.) I told her about a bit of a misadventure we'd had on a tubing expedition, and that I hadn't felt safe, and so was not eager to try the ziplines through the canopy. But she told me that the folks who run the zip lines are not at all like the tubing folks: It was exactly the reverse. The tubing is unsafe, and the canopy tour is safe. They're an international company with outlets in Costa Rica and other countries, with years of experience, quality people, and quality materials. I told her I would consider it for the next tour, but with all the hiking and birdwatching that seems a lot more authentic and overall-educational, it didn't seem like we would have time. (Much to Ms. Gernat's dismay.)
And now that I'm at home researching things that can be done in Mindo within walking distance of town, this same adventure tour company came up. 2.5 kilometers from the center of town, $15 per person, 1.5 miles of zip lines.
My question to you parents would be: Is there any objection? Their reviews online have been stellar, and the talk on the ground in Mindo was that a lot of people were jealous of them for their professionalism and reputation. But, because it does involve helmets, I did not want to simply throw it out once we're on the ground. Please send me an email if you have any doubts or concerns!
Back to trip prep - have a great "snow" day!
Monday, February 8, 2010
Carnival, and Carnnival-Related Last-Minute Packing!
Well, as has been pointed out to me before, we are flying straight into the teeth of the Carnival season in Quito. This is, in many ways, incredibly lucky - we're going to see celebrating and festival-ing at a fever pitch. On the other hand, it's a bit of a drag - a lot of places might be closed for the week. We'll have to play it by ear. I'm hoping that, especially on our first Sunday in Quito, there will be a lot of Masses to go to, parades, outdoor performances, things of that nature. But I'm not sure - it may also be quite dead. Hard to say - the online editions of the newspapers don't show a lot of detail about what's in store for the capital city. We'll buy some papers and ask the staff and the locals when we arrive, and arrange our day accordingly. Whatever the conditions are on the ground, we'll make that particular sort of hay!
What I am certain of is that Saturday night, there will be a lot of noise around. I'm guessing cars with loud music driving past, laughing and singing people, and the occasional blast of fireworks. If your students are earplugs-wearers, I'd suggest throwing some into the carry-on.
One of the traditions of this time of year to keep in mind is "playing Carnival". Here's a description I just found online:
"Be warned: Carnival in Quito and in Ecuador consists of a lot of throwing water – so be prepared for a good-natured drenching, and take a spare set of clothes with you on excursions!!"
I have been the victim of some good-natured Carnival soakings in my day. And, as one would expect, I have been the victim of some less-than-good-natured soakings. You sigh, smile, say "Ohm", and move on. But keep in mind: Cameras don't like water. A ziploc baggie for the camera might be another thing to toss into the suitcase.
The above quote is from this page, which also has a picture. Now, if you look at that picture, you'll see a lot of people in jeans. But look carefully at the jeans: None are ripped, none are tight, none are especially faded. What's acceptable for Ecuadorian jeans-wearing and what's acceptable in Lenox jeans-wearing are not the same thing at all. That's why I don't want kids to wear jeans: Too much room for interpretation. Be conservative and comfortable.
More updates as necessary!
What I am certain of is that Saturday night, there will be a lot of noise around. I'm guessing cars with loud music driving past, laughing and singing people, and the occasional blast of fireworks. If your students are earplugs-wearers, I'd suggest throwing some into the carry-on.
One of the traditions of this time of year to keep in mind is "playing Carnival". Here's a description I just found online:
"Be warned: Carnival in Quito and in Ecuador consists of a lot of throwing water – so be prepared for a good-natured drenching, and take a spare set of clothes with you on excursions!!"
I have been the victim of some good-natured Carnival soakings in my day. And, as one would expect, I have been the victim of some less-than-good-natured soakings. You sigh, smile, say "Ohm", and move on. But keep in mind: Cameras don't like water. A ziploc baggie for the camera might be another thing to toss into the suitcase.
The above quote is from this page, which also has a picture. Now, if you look at that picture, you'll see a lot of people in jeans. But look carefully at the jeans: None are ripped, none are tight, none are especially faded. What's acceptable for Ecuadorian jeans-wearing and what's acceptable in Lenox jeans-wearing are not the same thing at all. That's why I don't want kids to wear jeans: Too much room for interpretation. Be conservative and comfortable.
More updates as necessary!
Flight Information!
Hello! We've had a recent request for the actual flight information, so I'm posting it below. (I've bolded the flight numbers and arrival times.) And today, as I had some time at home sans children (I had a dentist's appointment today and didn't go in to work), I re-re-re-confirmed our bus pick-up at LMMHS on Friday, and at the airport in Quito when we arrive. As the AP students who were in school today will know, I also found a review of the play we're hopefully going to see in Quito - this past Friday was their opening night.
ISSUING AIRLINE : AVIANCA
BOOKING REF : AMADEUS: 3NJMJA, AIRLINE: AV/3NJMJA
FROM /TO FLIGHT CL DATE DEP FARE BASIS NVB NVA BAG ST
NEW YORK JFK AV 21 K 13FEB 0700 KEEP01FL/DISC 13FEB 13FEB 2PC OK
TERMINAL:4
BOGOTA ARRIVAL TIME: 1300
TERMINAL:1
BOGOTA AV 67 K 13FEB 1640 KEEP01FL/DISC 13FEB 13FEB 2PC OK
TERMINAL:1
QUITO ARRIVAL TIME: 1811
QUITO AV 78 K 20FEB 1910 KEEP01FL/DISC 20FEB 20FEB 2PC OK
BOGOTA ARRIVAL TIME: 2035
TERMINAL:1
BOGOTA AV 20 K 20FEB 2325 KEEP01FL/DISC 20FEB 20FEB 2PC OK
TERMINAL:1
NEW YORK JFK ARRIVAL TIME: 0500
TERMINAL:4
ISSUING AIRLINE : AVIANCA
BOOKING REF : AMADEUS: 3NJMJA, AIRLINE: AV/3NJMJA
FROM /TO FLIGHT CL DATE DEP FARE BASIS NVB NVA BAG ST
NEW YORK JFK AV 21 K 13FEB 0700 KEEP01FL/DISC 13FEB 13FEB 2PC OK
TERMINAL:4
BOGOTA ARRIVAL TIME: 1300
TERMINAL:1
BOGOTA AV 67 K 13FEB 1640 KEEP01FL/DISC 13FEB 13FEB 2PC OK
TERMINAL:1
QUITO ARRIVAL TIME: 1811
QUITO AV 78 K 20FEB 1910 KEEP01FL/DISC 20FEB 20FEB 2PC OK
BOGOTA ARRIVAL TIME: 2035
TERMINAL:1
BOGOTA AV 20 K 20FEB 2325 KEEP01FL/DISC 20FEB 20FEB 2PC OK
TERMINAL:1
NEW YORK JFK ARRIVAL TIME: 0500
TERMINAL:4
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Rain Pants Update!
Hello! Panic appears to be setting in over the rain paints issue. Having been to the mall myself now in search of cheap rain pants, I can tell you: they are few and far between. If they're not to be had (Eastern Mountain Sports has some for $70, to which I say "Thank you, no"), then I suggest that students go the "poncho" route rather than the "rain coat" route. Perhaps a bit late to be switching much of anything up, but I know that, while cheap rain pants appear to have gone extinct, every CVS in all the land has inexpensive ponchos. And they tend to drip the moisture off you in a much wider circle than a rain coat will.
To sum up: Ponchos! I managed to get out of EMS without buying their $30 ponchos, knowing as I did that the drug store has a much cheaper option.
But I did buy some pants. I am not completely immune to their charms.
Please contact me with any questions!
To sum up: Ponchos! I managed to get out of EMS without buying their $30 ponchos, knowing as I did that the drug store has a much cheaper option.
But I did buy some pants. I am not completely immune to their charms.
Please contact me with any questions!
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