Arriving in Quito, Ecuador and checking in to our apartment
Last night, Jonathan and I arranged for a taxi to come pick us up at 5:30am. We were told that we needed to get to the airport (Panama City Tocuman International) 3 hours before our flight. We thought that that sounded early, so we opted for 2 ½ hours early.
We were too early.
Check in took approximately 6 minutes, and security took even less. So, we were left with plenty of time to wander the airport.
We went to a small café (the only one we saw in the airport) for a cappuccino. We each ordered one. We thought that they were on the expensive side ($2.50 / 8 oz.), but thought that since we were in Panama home to excellent coffee, that we would go ahead and enjoy a last cup of Panamanian coffee.
Unfortunately, the coffee was not good. Not good at all. It was a waste of $5.
Then we went and boarded our plane. To Costa Rica. Yes, we had to fly from Panama to Costa Rica before flying to Ecuador.
(There is no way by land from Panama to South America. The highway doesn’t go through an area called The Darien Gap. The Darien Gap is home to a vast jungle, and many indigenous people of Panama. There are several reasons why there is no road connecting Panama with Colombia. One reason is the jungle. Apparently the jungle can overgrow the highway faster than they can build it. Another reason is drug trafficking. The Panamanians didn’t want an easy way for drugs to come into Panama from Colombia.)
Traveling through Costa Rica was no problem at all. We didn’t have to stop for customs or anything. I was expecting the same process there as what happens even just passing through the United States.
When we went to pick up our bags from baggage claim, we noticed that they had dogs. The dogs weren’t just there smelling the bags.
Oh no, they were walking over everyone’s bag as it went around the conveyor belt.
As we left, we were hoping that the representative from our Spanish School would be there to pick us up, as transportation from the airport is included in the price. But, we hadn’t confirmed it, so we weren’t sure
Luckily, Xavier was there holding a sign with our names. We gave him the address for the apartment that we found.
Javier dropped us off at Finlandia 443 30 minutes early. We waited outside for Paolo to show up. But, he was already there.
When Paolo came down, he said that he wasn’t expecting us until 5 because he thought our plane arrived at 3. So, we weren’t just 30 minutes early, we were 2 ½ hours early. That’s unheard of here!
He was willing to let us come up and see the apartment anyway. It’s great! It’s on the 8th floor, and has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, a big kitchen, and a balcony overlooking a large park…all for $20 / day ($600 / month). Awesome!
Paolo was nice enough to take us to the grocery store so we could get set up. Unfortunately, we’d forgotten to bring our money with us, so he even bought us a few groceries (we paid him back the next day). He’s a really nice guy.
Our first day in Quito was really good. We’re looking forward to spending the next month here, learning Spanish and exploring Ecuador.
Anyone have any suggestions for what we should see / do in Ecuador?
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Can’t wait for pictures of this apartment and its surroundings! Now I want to go down there and check it out.
Whats the internet connection like so far?
Jesse
Hey Jesse!
We paid for the upgraded Internet service at our apartment ($20/month extra).
After a few days of not having Internet (took a bit to get it set up), we’ve definitely enjoyed being able to use the Internet as faster speeds. It’s not as fast as in the states (as that would cost $50/month and we don’t really need it).
From what I understand there is a GREAT little tourist town called Banos up in the mountains.
Yep… but Banos is a lot like Colorado in terms of outdoor activities, so I don’t know if we’ll get there or not.
Did you read all my comments about Quito either on this or personal e-mail? Hope you did. Don’t be wandering off on unknown streets & NEVER take photos of areas that may seem to be selling stacks of American goods–stereos, shoes, etc. or you may be attacked for the camera (true in Quito & esp. in Guayaquil (town from which to go to Galapagos Islands & very neat town, but be careful & know where NOT to walk).
Equador, Central & S. America are KNOWN for the huge amount of stollen goods on the “black market” from America.
I’ve told you that before, but it was just on TV AGAIN the other night saying entire 18 wheeler trucks are stollen in U.S. (I knew this YRS. AGO!!
NEAT THINGS TO DO: Board the EXPRESO train to Ingapirca to Inca Ruins (most perserved Inca fortress & temple in Ecuador). See CUZCO. Be sure to see CUZCO,
SIBAMBE & take train up Devil’s Nose & higher into Andes to ALAUSI. Take local bus on to RIO BAMBA for a night.
Tour AMBATO (much fruit here)& see weaving center of Salasaca Indians.
Continue to BANOS A MUST for couple nights–see falls & tropical birds below Mt. Tungurahua, & go into the Church where the Virgin Mary appeared!!!!
Then bus on Pan American Hwy. past Cotopaxi Volcano back to Quito. THERE IS YOUR VACATION ITINERARY!!
HAVE FUN!!! You’ll LOVE all these small towns I listed last, esp. Banos.
It’s great to keep in touch through this website. I don’t know anything about Ecuador, myself, so I can’t be of any help. How is your Spanish? How many months have you now lived in Spanish speaking countries?
Hey Michael!
It is great to be able to keep in touch! Thanks for visiting the site and checking things out!
Our Spanish is improving daily, though I’m really having challenges with it… it feels to be a bit more of an emotional language, where German is so logical.
This is the first place we’ve been since leaving in October ’09 where I feel like we use our Spanish very much. In Central America, we were in touristy areas and/or hanging out with people who spoke English/German, so we weren’t using our Spanish that much.
Our Spanish skills are definitely improving though.