Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Pictures from yesterday
I haven't quite got this down yet, so here are the mentioned pictures from yesterday's post. Enjoy!
our local friend at Pululahua
The middle of the earth! El Mitad del Mundo es my interesante.
12,000 feet up overlooking all of Quito
We felt extremely out of shape atop this mountain, but the view and beauty were well worth the hike
The guard outside the presidents house. I'm pretty sure he was taking his job a little too seriously
La Floresta, the best street food in Ecuador!
Sara and I are enjoying our chicken and rice meal, post tasting cow intestines. It was a treat!
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Quito, Ecuador. Where the people are friendly and Chacos are not welcomed
Our first night in Ecuador we worked out a plan with Olver to take us around the city for an entire day (what happened today). Thank you Christy for helping us with everything! Our unexpected call from the States today was quite awesome. Anyway, I started my morning off with a little quiet time in my bunk to prepare for the busyness ahead. Thanks to a new book called The Resolution, I have been able to focus on our moments abroad without worrying about what's waiting for me upon my return.
After quiet time the crew woke up and we got ready to head downstairs for breakfast. But first we took a few photos from our balcony. Breakfast was great and Olver met us at 8:30 to get going early. Our first stop of the day was the Pululahua Volcano. There are 78 volcanos total just in Ecuador and the unique part about this one was that it actually sits in a valley and not on a mountain top. Olver followed us everywhere, but we had a local guide approach us and teach us a few more things. He even let us sign his book of world travelers that he meets. That's Olver in the picture with us signing the book, but the other man is our local friend!
After Pululahua we went to the middle of the world! Aka the center of the equator. It was the coolest thing to literally be standing in the northern AND southern hemisphere at the same time! Then it was off to an area of Incan ruins. Funny thing is it didn't seem all that far from home. Just near San Antonio these ancient ruins still stand. San Antonio, Ecuador that is. The view from where we stood was incredible and it certainly helps you remember how small and insignificant we are in this world that God created.
Next stop, lunch time! A delicious Ecuadorian feast with beef, an empanada, white corn, avocados, and cheese. Esta muy delicioso! Back on the road with Olver we headed to el Teleferico. One of the highest points in Ecuador overlooking the entire valley of Quito. 12,000 feet up couldn't have gotten much better. We met a couple on our way down that encouraged in our travels and shared a little bit of their stories. It's always so awesome to hear bits of people's lives if we just take the time to listen. It was a success! We were graciously welcomed to what we decided to be the top of the center of the world. Sounds pretty cool when you say it like that.
Then we drove down to La Panecillo, a statue that sits atop a hill overlooking Quito. This statue is near old town parts of the city so that was next on the list. We drove through a little bit and finally parked to get out and be welcomed by an alarming amount of roaming and stray dogs. They're not harmful, but it's crazy how many dogs are just running around this city! We saw the first library, the presidents house and a plaza where protesting often occurs. The guards at the presidents house were cool to see and were taking their job quite seriously. We made our way to an Ecuadorian coffee shop called Caffeto. They sold 100% Ecuadorian coffee and the best tortillas de maiz. With some street music playing in the background, I thought this day couldn't get any better! I was so wrong.
We went to a place Michael heard about from an Anthony Bourdain travel series about Ecuador. It was said to be the spot for the best street food in Ecuador. He was right! We had empanadas, some chicken and rice meal, and sweet white corn milk to drink. P.S. I also tried cow intestine. Not my favorite, but at least I tried it! The evening with Olver ended well and we returned safely to our hostel with dinner at the whopping price of $2.50 no joke.
We returned to the hostel and rested up to go out in the plaza for the night. We ended up at a trendy bohemian restaurant and bar to eat up a delicious nutella crepe and a glass of wine! We enjoyed our time their and ended the evening at a Salsa/dance club meeting some Americans and dancing the night away! Luckily there were no crude comments from random strangers on our way back home. My Spanish is getting better, but the locals are having a problem with our Chacos...oops. I guess they're not cultural enough. But they're comfy! All in all a great day spent with some new friends and old amigos. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity of this day and the adventures we went on. Thank you to all of my family and friends that having praying and encouraging right alongside me thus far.
Adios for now!
After quiet time the crew woke up and we got ready to head downstairs for breakfast. But first we took a few photos from our balcony. Breakfast was great and Olver met us at 8:30 to get going early. Our first stop of the day was the Pululahua Volcano. There are 78 volcanos total just in Ecuador and the unique part about this one was that it actually sits in a valley and not on a mountain top. Olver followed us everywhere, but we had a local guide approach us and teach us a few more things. He even let us sign his book of world travelers that he meets. That's Olver in the picture with us signing the book, but the other man is our local friend!
After Pululahua we went to the middle of the world! Aka the center of the equator. It was the coolest thing to literally be standing in the northern AND southern hemisphere at the same time! Then it was off to an area of Incan ruins. Funny thing is it didn't seem all that far from home. Just near San Antonio these ancient ruins still stand. San Antonio, Ecuador that is. The view from where we stood was incredible and it certainly helps you remember how small and insignificant we are in this world that God created.
Next stop, lunch time! A delicious Ecuadorian feast with beef, an empanada, white corn, avocados, and cheese. Esta muy delicioso! Back on the road with Olver we headed to el Teleferico. One of the highest points in Ecuador overlooking the entire valley of Quito. 12,000 feet up couldn't have gotten much better. We met a couple on our way down that encouraged in our travels and shared a little bit of their stories. It's always so awesome to hear bits of people's lives if we just take the time to listen. It was a success! We were graciously welcomed to what we decided to be the top of the center of the world. Sounds pretty cool when you say it like that.
Then we drove down to La Panecillo, a statue that sits atop a hill overlooking Quito. This statue is near old town parts of the city so that was next on the list. We drove through a little bit and finally parked to get out and be welcomed by an alarming amount of roaming and stray dogs. They're not harmful, but it's crazy how many dogs are just running around this city! We saw the first library, the presidents house and a plaza where protesting often occurs. The guards at the presidents house were cool to see and were taking their job quite seriously. We made our way to an Ecuadorian coffee shop called Caffeto. They sold 100% Ecuadorian coffee and the best tortillas de maiz. With some street music playing in the background, I thought this day couldn't get any better! I was so wrong.
We went to a place Michael heard about from an Anthony Bourdain travel series about Ecuador. It was said to be the spot for the best street food in Ecuador. He was right! We had empanadas, some chicken and rice meal, and sweet white corn milk to drink. P.S. I also tried cow intestine. Not my favorite, but at least I tried it! The evening with Olver ended well and we returned safely to our hostel with dinner at the whopping price of $2.50 no joke.
We returned to the hostel and rested up to go out in the plaza for the night. We ended up at a trendy bohemian restaurant and bar to eat up a delicious nutella crepe and a glass of wine! We enjoyed our time their and ended the evening at a Salsa/dance club meeting some Americans and dancing the night away! Luckily there were no crude comments from random strangers on our way back home. My Spanish is getting better, but the locals are having a problem with our Chacos...oops. I guess they're not cultural enough. But they're comfy! All in all a great day spent with some new friends and old amigos. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity of this day and the adventures we went on. Thank you to all of my family and friends that having praying and encouraging right alongside me thus far.
Adios for now!
BBQ and coffee beans
As we made our decent into Quito last night we looked out of the plane window and were blown away by the amount of dense city terrain we saw. Not knowing what to expect at all, we landed with the hopes that our taxi man (Olver) would be waiting for us upon our arrival. Indeed he was and the time getting through customs wasn't even all that bad! The people in Quito are very friendly.
We made our way to his car and started off to our hostel. With the little Spanish I know, I have been so thankful for Sara and Michael so far. Let's just say there was a lot of translating on the way there. We attempted to make a reservation before leaving at a hostel in La Mariscal (the new part of Quito). It was a failed attempt so we were so glad to have Olver with us at that time! We finally found La Hostal Piamonte where we're the youngest ones around. It's great! Our room is great and breakfast is included. What more could we ask for!
After getting settled in, we decided to take a short two block walk to the Plaza del Foch. This area is open late and full of restaurants, discotecas, and coffee shops. There's even a bbq restaurants. I guess we didn't go that far after all. Sara, Michael, and I enjoyed a local drink called a Caprihina to toast to for our first night in Ecuador. We new today was going to be filled with adventure and unexpected culture so we enjoyed the rest of the evening at Azuca (the restaurant in Plaza del Foch).
Monday, May 28, 2012
Joshua 1:9
"Congratulations! Today is your day. You're off to Great Places! You're off and away!" A quote from another favorite book of mine by Dr. Seuss. Today I leave for a 5 week adventure in South America with Sara and Michael. I can't believe we're finally packed and ready to go!
We've been envisioning this trip since summer 2011 and the Lord has provided us with the resources and courage enough to make it happen. I am ready to be challenged with God's will and for my eyes to be opened in ways I never would have expected. I have had moments of doubt and nervousness throughout this process, but it has been with His grace and comfort that my heart feels fully prepared.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
To the airport we go in only a few hours!
We've been envisioning this trip since summer 2011 and the Lord has provided us with the resources and courage enough to make it happen. I am ready to be challenged with God's will and for my eyes to be opened in ways I never would have expected. I have had moments of doubt and nervousness throughout this process, but it has been with His grace and comfort that my heart feels fully prepared.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
To the airport we go in only a few hours!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)