who would have thought ecuador would be so cold?

i wasn't sure if it was the fact that we had been on a plane for the last 15 hours with a "bonus" flight in there (thanks to the peruvian fog) or what, but my first experince in quito ecuador was similar to having one too many glasses of wine...and feeling my head sway from one side to the other like is was ready to lift off from my neck. it felt funny for the first 2 minutes, then it just got annoying, and kindof confusing. that was until i realized we had landed 9, 100 feet higher than when we took off in chicago! luckily water was aplenty in the north american airports and i was just fine by the time i went to bed...not even a headache! (inca trail here i come!)

the next morning we were welcomed by cereal, hot coffee, cinnimon rolls, and a welcoming couple to clean up after us, only to be picked up by my grandparents friend becki pinto to show us all around town...what a life! becki and her friend jessica and daughter susana took as all around town...to the market, a park that is apparently larger than central park (we couldn't even see it all, so i guess it was...) completely filled with amazing artwork for sale and beautiful flowers. so i have decided that when i become really rich all of you are going to get an amazing piece of artwork that i bring back on my personal jet...maybe you can even come and pick your own out...

after that we went to the hospital that becki works at and went to a dedication for chapel in the hospital. it was really important to becki, and was nice to see her so happy, since she had made us so happy all day long!

it was at this point that i realized one thing about the elevation i never thought about...when it is sunny- it is HOT! like watch you you can feel your skin burning away hot...but when the sun goes away it is COLD, like i need to stop and buy a wool poncho and maybe if i am lucky i will get warm cold...oops, i brought like 5 long sleeve shirts...an adventure i was not ready for!

shortly after that we took a cab ride (and oh how i missed the taxi cab rides in south america! if you have never taken one- get a helmet and take this ride before you die!) to- el mita del mundo...aka the middle of the world, although it is not the technical middle of the world cause they got it wrong when they made the tourist attraction, but the real equator doesnt have the cool E to stand on and the museum to go with it, so who wants to go there? but it was pretty interesting, and when i figure out how to do it (RUBEN!!!) i will show you pictures of me dancing and SHIVERING on the middle of the earth! (technically not, but geez! why be so critical!) oh yeah, and you can see pictures of us getting hit with this silly stringish stuff by the locals because of carnaval...the celebration before ash wednesday. thats right, the locals like to dump flour, then water on people who are out during carnival...especially gringos...who knew i could be so lucky! so we shall see what happens today when we go to quito colonial for the parade for carnival- now those could be some interesting pictures! carnival is today and tomorrow (monday and tuesday)

and how does this detroiter finish off there first day in quito ecuador? how else but by stuffing her face at the detroit based BD's Mongolian BBQ! except, without the detroit prices- vegeterian all you can eat buffet that comes with soup or salad...and a drink! all for...wait...how much? thats right... 4 dollars. it was my little piece of equadorian heaven.

hope all of you are doing well...i miss everyone very much and i hope to talk to you very very soon! facebook friends...facebook!

bethany