Arrived in Quito

Hola everyone...
I have arrived in Quito, at my lovely little hostal in the historical part
of town... the place is very relaxed, lean and funky... the upper terrace
had beetles playing and I will be here tonight, then in otavalo for 1 night
and then here and then to the cloud forests of Bella Vista for 3 (maybe 4
days). This trip is reallt taking on steam... Ia m about 1/2 done already!!!
CRAZY!!!!!
The bus from Puerto lopez was all right, they put my bags right on the bus
with me which feels less precarious, and at the stop midway the drivers
helper watched my stuff while i went for a bathroom break... cost me a coke!
(50cents for a white girl). he was very helpful until his chochy friend got
on the bus, and then he got very macho... CAN NOT STAND THAT!!!! I wasgoing
to get him to change a 20 for me but he told me my money was fake--- he
seemed surprised that i wanted my "fake"mony back.. HA! the lady next to me
said it was real... Funnee! (sort of).
Then i hopped of the bus in busy manta feeling like i needed to be in a rush
to the airport... only an hour until my flight left and i had not bought a
ticket yet... after a calm ( for here) taxui ride i was at the airport quite
quickly where i bought my ticket and had my bag zip tied shut in every way
possible by the ticket people--- I appreciated this. though it does make one
nervous that one will never see one�s bag again... though i am only carrying
clothes in my bag if i can�t see it all the time. i can{t say i will be
heart broken if i lose a few shirts...
I think i did loose a sarong and a pare of socks on my last trip... weird.
When i got here to the city i hopped in a cab, and bartered a fare to the
hostal... bu the cab broke down 172 way there so i only gave him 2 dollars.
hopped in another and after some discussion of my map, he got me to my
destination. only 2 dollars more... so my cab fare that started at 6
dollars, was bartered to 5, only cost me 4. not bad!
So far the altitude is not too bad, i'm a bit lite headed so i will only go
to the bank and back to the hostal in the next little bit and then enjoy my
book for the rest of the evening... this evenings dinner at the hostal, is
hummus and pitas, stuffed eggplant, and pineapple crumble... sounds nice and
i am tired so i will keep it simple today.
Much love!
Erin