RE: A Beginning in Quito..

Life in Quito will take you back to a simpler time. Upon arrival, I found people to be quite friendly. Although, I arrived late in Quito, the taxi driver was cordial and charged me five dollars (the going rate) to travel to La Mariscal.  The night watch people were warm and friendly, offering me a tea before my decent to bed. My first night at a fifty dollar hostel was quite nice. At that price level, you should expect breakfast or desayunos and a happy ending but, that never happened. Upon waking up, on my first day in Quito, I went for a walk and found many kind Ecuadorians. And before the day had ended. I was already enamoured by an Ecuadoriana. As a gringo, you will notice Ecuadorianas are hot. And if your spanish skills are up to par, you can get a date quite easily. Please brush up on your basic and advanced Spanish. I recommend going to Community College and don't buy the Rosetta Stone, that software is a crock. You will get nowhere quick. I travelled with a German guy who studied using the Rosetta Stone software. I think all he could say was "Desculpe me". Sorry won't get you too far with an Ecuadoriana; they like strong men. In summation, Ecuador has very few English speaking people so, brush up.

My first day in Quito was a tough one and my activities were limited to relaxing, reading and planning my trips. I also made a phone call to an American friend whose family owned an apartment which was ready in ten days to rent. My first night was spent at Mariscal Foch plaza. It is a modern square with fine food and drink as well as many giant televisions to watch Futbol. On this fine day, Liga De Quito played, the Sur De America champions. It was a blast. A new English friend and I drank many Jarros or Jars of Pilsener (the national beer of Ecuador). It was a real blast, Liga won the match. The atmosphere went wild, people took to the streets in excitement, honking their horns and shouting song's of celebration. I felt part of the excitement, it permeated my existence. On my way home, I stopped by a bar which featured "ladies night". At this fine establishment, women can drink for free from eight to ten every Tuesday night. If you want to shake your booty, some fine latinas are there, ripe for the taking. Just ask someone on the street. They will point you the way.

My next morning I found Fanfone, a restaurant, the owner is super friendly. Her name is Catalina. If you stop on in, tell her Stan sent you. Her Chuleta is great and have a cup of Té de Coca, it helps with altitude sickness. Catalina showed me a book of the Galapagos. Later that day, a fine Latina escorted me to a barber shop for a haircut. I had hair to my back and Ecuadorianas aren't too fond of dirty looking people. I recommend getting a haircut and staying clean shaven. Ecuadorian's are clean people and when in Rome, do as the Romans.

After a reality check of researching various hostels; I checked out of my over priced hostel. I was tired of paying fifty dollars  and after researching various hostels in La Mariscal. I soon realized fifteen to twenty dollars was more in line with the local market. I checked into the Home Hostel on my third day. It was quiet, clean, had a chef kitchen, full cable and a private clean room for 15.00 dollars a night. It actually was 17 dollars with IVA (tax) but, well worth it. The Home Hostel was quiet and came with breakfast. I stayed there two days, surfing the internet on the public computer, watching cable and visiting Fanfone.

During my stay at the Home Hostel, I took a trip to the "Anda" section pronounced, l'yay. I saw my future apartment. It was quiet nice, with decor from the 1970s. I noticed it had a analog TV with an antenna. I turned it on and noticed there were six channels and one had hot latinas dancing. At this point, I said to myself, "home sweet home".  After my quick view of my future place, I left a suitcase at my friends business which is on the premises of the apartment, headed back to my hostel. On my fifth day in Quito, I was feeling restless and having fell for a gal named Nelly. I wanted to get some some action. Noon that day, I ran into Nelly, she was on her cell phone as usual but, stopped for awhile to talk to me. She was a hot latina, with healthy breaths, deep cafe eyes and a body which gave me enough to enjoy, not too big and not skinny. It was awhile, since seeing some action . I was ready to go. During this conversation, I asked Nelly, if she would have dinner with me later. She replied, "I have to work now, lets meet later around seven?". I was stoked and returned at seven. I waited an hour and in frustration, grabbed my light pack and headed to Guayaquil and ultimately the Galapagos. I wasn't too let down by being stood up. Heck, I am Ecuador, there are hot chick everywhere. And the national beer, Pilsener flows like wine and a discotech on every corner. As my pop, once said, "watch what you ask for, you just might get it".  I took the morning bus to Guayaquil, the night bus was sold out.