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!