Police Riot - Kidnapping President Correa

Today was a bit unsettling in Quito - the police are protesting proposed salary cuts by the government. Matt and I actually went to the presidents house in the historical center of the city this morning where there were several protesters, who as far as we could tell, were peacefully showing there support for the president.  

A few minutes later we were at a museum next to the presidential palace and we were hurriedly asked to leave because the museum was shutting down. As we walked out of the Old City and back towards our school many shops and restaurants were shutting there doors. Finally we hailed a cab to go back to the school as the trollys were all shut down because of road blocks. On the ride back to the school our taxi was forced to turn around when we came to one of the road blocks, a line of burning rubber across the street. Eventually we had to get out and walk the rest of the way to school as the taxi could not get around yet another road block.  At school they requested we return back to our homes and we took a brisk 20 min walk back to our house.

The protesting group took control of the Quito airport by going on the runways and no flights were able to enter or leave.  All the main roads exiting the city were blocked too.  Peru and Colombia closed all border crossings with Ecuador. 

At night we watched the news and saw the military rescue the president from the hospital where the rebel police were keeping him hostage.  We heard the gunshots from our home.  It was pretty crazy, also on the live TV coverage we saw a military person get shot and die.  It was very sad and our host mother was beside herself at the senseless tragedy. 

Early Friday morning we took a taxi to our travel agent and went on a bus with 10 people to the volcano Chimborazzo - we were very pleased to get out of the city into the countryside.  There were no issues with travel except for two huge worn down blockades of dirt across the highway that the bus had to navigate. 

During the situation bbc.com had the best internet coverage as we couldn't totally understand the local TV news stations.  At this point things have somewhat settled but the unstable politics were very interesting to experience and being out the capital was quite the relief for us as will be getting into Peru.  Thanks to all family and friends for you thoughts and prayers during this event, it was much appreciated.

Iglesia de La Compania de Jesus - Quito, Ecuador

Some guidebooks call it the most beautiful church in Latin America - it is more stunning than the pictures can capture.  There are seven tons of gold leaf that cover every area of the main sanctuary and the designs and ornamentation are beautiful.  There is a dramatic painting in the rear of hell and the final judgement.  At the front are the remains of Saint Mariana de Jesus de Paredes, our guide told some very interesting stories about her life and in 1645 she sacrificed herself for the salvation of Quito.

Futbol - Quito vs. Guayaquil

Initially I had this theory that Guayaquil is to Quito, as LA is to New York.  The colorful warm brightness of the coast, was much a different vibe than with the business in black shoes crisp weather in the north.  Definitely a contrast between the two biggest cities in Ecuador and we got to see the rivalry play out in a futbol match.  Feeling loyal to the home team worked and Quito won 4-0.   

Espanol Escuela Amigos

Guayaquil "Barcelona"

Quito - "Deportiva"

Midad El Mundo - Middle of the World

French explorers identified a point as the middle of the world and created a giant monument. Just a few years ago, with GPS technology found out that the middle of the world is a few hundred meters from the originally identified spot.   Now at the "official middle of the world" there is an indigenous run tour that explains about indigeous life and quirky facts about the middle of the world.  I was able to balance and egg upright on a nail, they calimed that it was due to the gravitational forces but I’m not sure.  Either way it was a fun tourist excursion with our German and British friends. 

Mindo – Could Forest, Day 2

The next day we harnessed up and zipped on 10 lines across the top of the cloud forest.  We also did a "tubing" experience, which was several black tubes tied together, six people and two guides and barreling down some rapids.  

Mindo - Cloud Forest, Day 1

      

With 20 people from our Spanish school we traveled northwest from Quito for the weekend to Mindo.  The lower altitude made for a pleasantly warm climate.  We hiked up a hill for two hours then made it to a beautiful waterfall area.  It could be described as an eco park without the formalities necessitated by the American lawsuit system – no forms to sign, no liability waived.  It was implicitly understood that you are responsible for yourself, make appropriate risks as you are able to handle.    Matt braved a 35 feet cliff jump into the base of the waterfall, descended via rope the rocks next to the waterfall then jumped from a rock and I rode the concrete water chute.  A friendly young local made gestures of body posture, dropping rocks to indicate where to land in the water and other unknown comments in Spanish.  We learned later this was our guide.  We passed on the run off a cliff/free fall zip line that was facilitated with only one shady looking piece of dynamic rope, no back up and rusty carabierenrs.  The Norwegians went full force ahead and we were pleased to just record viedo footage of them being adventuresome.

We had the entire hotel to ourselves which allowed us to blare salsa music, take another instructional lesson and attempt the dance steps again. We went into town for a salmon and pork dinner and played volleyball in the streets with the locals.  Stayed up late at the hotel soclizaing and going for a late night empanada run.

  

Teleférico &Volcano Pichincha

Gondola ride up from the city to 14,000 feet altitude

Our Spanish School Buddies: Nana from Denmark, Natalie from UK and Philip from Germany
The ridge line from right to left is the trail to the top of Pichincha which is in the clouds.

The hearty four hiking up to 15, 400 feet.  I didn't make it this far, but I chatted
with others on the trail, returned to the cafe to drink coffee and read a book then met the group for the sunset.

Enjoying sunset over Quito, Volcano Chimborazo (Ecuador's highest peak) in the distance.

Week 1 in Quito

Colonial Spain in Quito

Saquisilí Market

With our Spanish school, we went two hours south of Quito is a little town, Saquisilí and every Thursday there is a market with indigenas buying goods opposed to tourists.  The market sold everything from cattle, pigs, fish, textiles, vegetables, sugar, mechanical parts and guinea pigs (which are for eating and were on the menu at our lunch spot).  Our teacher called it the natural life, the community gathering weekly to exchange goods in an otherwise quiet remote mountain town.  Still enjoying the colorful clothing, animals and babies everywhere, home grown food, crafts and the multi-tasking in the last picture. 

Our Home in Quito

We arrived Saturday Sept. 18th in Quito and were taken to our home in Quito with Gloria Ines and her two daughters Ana (27) and Angela (22).  Gloria speaks no English and we are struggling through our Spanish - immersion does seem to work well because we desperately want to communicate so we are muddling our way through.  We started classes Monday at Simon Bolivar, a 20 minute walk to school each day then back to the house for absolutely amazing cooking, soups then meat/fish, rice and vegetables.  We have both been very impressed with Gloria's food and smiling hospitality. 

First Day of School

Farewell Galapagos

Puerto Ayora was our home for ten days - the longest we have ever vacationed in one spot.  For us it was an unusual experience of relaxation and touring at a leisurely pace.  Nice to become so familiar with one little village, having our new acquaintances pass us on the street greeting us with a smile and "Hello my friends!", swinging in our nearest bakery for a snack before heading to the dock and the birds, animals and sea life as interesting and fun as I'd hoped for.  While the remote experience had charm, there was a restlessness of staying on a little island - at the mercy of departing boats and don't underestimate the pleasure of water pressure and sustained hot water.  The island pace was a good shock to my system and it was enjoyable to make a connection with a place I've dreamed about for so long.  Coming off several days in the islands it's odd to think I will likely never return, but perhaps that will only add to the unique mystique of the Galapagos.

Snorkeling: Fish, Penguin, Sea Turtle

Matthew's Random Thought #3: Swimming with Sharks

Would you rather swim with sharks or relax and soak in the rays on the beach?

This age old question not only divides Anna Lee and myself (for an apt example check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0uMHHcZy9w) but seems to be one of those classic dichotomies that plague the majority of the human race. Why is it that some of us so crave the direct and full experience of the unknown, especially when that experience produces some scary adrenaline and others are more than content to stand back and watch, or even discourage this type of “irresponsible behavior”? As the infamous Ed Abby so eloquently put it:

"A venturesome minority will always be eager to set off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks, for godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." 

So get out there and get your hand bitten off, the beach will always be there when you get back and it only takes one hand to hold a Kindle anyway.

Finally on Friday Floreana