Primer Día

I'm sitting in the internet center of the Hotel Akros right now. In the middle of downtown Quito. The flights were a success. Due to the fact that I haven't been on a plane since 1992, needless to say the experience was an awesome one at that. As we took off I saw the landscape of Minnesota fade into the obscurity of a Google Earth vista. Ear popping and turbulence were no exception to the experience for this rookie flyer. Nevertheless, it was interesting to watch the snow dissipate as my plane approached Houston.

Once we arrived there it was quite obvious that the diversity of people was changing dramatically. Nearing my destination made it all too clear that I am going to be able to perfect my craft. Taking off from Bush airport, I had hoped to catch glimpses of Central America and the Andes, but night and an overcast sky made that impossible. Lenay and I arrived at QIO at 10:30 last night. Getting into the van we met a biology graduate from Norfolk who was on a similar mission as us. Driving through downtown Quito was surreal, being my first experience outside of the US. The buildings are different. English, though present, takes a back seat to Spanish as the main language of advertising. I did see a KFC though, interesting.

We checked into the Hotel Akros around 11 p.m. Being so late, we decided to forgo any exploring that night and mixed with the few people enjoying drinks at the hotel bar. We met an Argentinian named Juan, who invited L and I to get in touch with him in April. Talking with Ecuadorian nationals and others reinstated my confidence in being able to survive in Latin America, though many resort to English to speak with us.

Our flight for Cuenca leaves at 3, and I will be able to settle into a routine finally. I plan on posting pictures right now, but my computer at present does not have that capability. L and I are both well. This surreal experience has not even begun to sink in yet, though it is incredible.