Saturday 8th November

The sun has just gone down over the Andes in Peru, but back to Quito 2 days ago.

Thursday 6th November.
In glorious equatorial sunshine we did a city tour with our excellent guide Gloria, who gave us a very clear picture of Ecuador,s stormy political and economic history as well as showing us the stunning views and the old town -very beautiful and well-preserved. Rebecca, we saw what you meant about the "edge" in Quito though we didn,t have any problems, but armed guards for all the big shops, banks and hotels, even our own small B&B and Burger King! But most of the people we met over 2 days were very friendly and helpful.
In the afternoon we went up the telerifico to the Ruca Pinchincha Volcano at 4100 metres. 13,500 feet. The views were glorious. 4 or 5 snow peaks including Cotopaxi could be seen. We saw a condor flying . We even coped with the altitude but chests were tight going uphill. The sun apparently was at dangerous UV levels and Geoff got burned.

Nov 7th
Caught the bus to Mitad del Mundo. The bus was a real experience of ecuadorian life. Wild and crowded with street vendors jumping on and off selling things. We travellled some 10 or more miles and about an hour for 40 cents each insted of $40 for a taxi. Wild driving and wild music all the way. At M del M there are three equator museums each with a different version of the equator. One archaelogical, one done in the 17th century, and one by GPS. One had a series of crazy experiments about coriolis force . Very clever but dodgy science. Jennifer danced with an indian medicine man!!!! . Geoff tried to shoot her with a blow pipe, such fun!
We were drenched by a Thunderstorm on the way back walking through the city. Next we were on the 9:00pm plane to Lima Peru. Lima was a mad light show at Midnight with flashy bars and clubs and shopping centres but with very dark poor streets behind.

Nov 8th
After just 7 hour in the hotel we were driven back to the airport through a very different looking town with lots of battered painted mini-buses shuttling all over the place as the city woke up.
On the flight to Cusco we sat with happy americans celebrating the end of George Bush. and with stunning views of the snow capped Andes.
We spent the afternoon wandering around Cusco. we cannot compare this with anywhere else we have ever been. Grindingly poor suburbs and a beautiful town of grand squares and churches with the Andes at the end of every street. unfortunately there is a street seller every other step.
For the parents, Alpaca related products are everywhere even on the restaurant menus however we can only have chicken soup tonight because we must eat lightly to adapt to the 11,000 ft. altitude. Off to The Sacred Valley tomorrow.