Leaving Panama and arriving in Quito

Man i am doing well with my blogging if i do say so myself :)

So after i claimed my free pancakes we left Luna´s and caught a taxi to the airport and we had such a cool taxi driver, he spoke english and he was telling us about a band he was in and then he played us one of his songs. and he was singing along and pretending to play the piano and guitar (all while driving) and then he wrote down his band name and his email and told us to look up his band on you tube. then when we were arriving at the airport he also gave anthea his phone number in case she ever comes back to Panama and was looking for a place to stay!! It was hilarious. and then after he gave us our bags he gave us each a hug and kiss, friendliest and most flirtatious taxi driver we´ve ever had. But the guys in Panama were very impressed with us. From the moment we arrived we got honked and whistled at, approx 30times a day, and thats not an exaggeration, it got old quite quickly. They would stare at us as they drove past and it was particularly bad when we passed construction sites. If they were passing us in the street they would say HI hello!!! or Hola! It was crazy!!

We got on the flight and the flight attendant who was on our Brazil-panama flight was on this flight too. On the last flight he sitting across from Anthea and I at the back of the plane and another flight attendant was behind the curtain making mooing sounds with a megaphone (we have no idea why) but this flight attendant told us there was a cow in the back of the plane so they could have milk for the coffee. Which we might have believed if we hadn´t just been given powedered milk in our coffee.
So anyway as this flight attendant was giving out custom forms he asked us about our stay in panama and then 10 mins later he came back and gave me a napkin with his email address on it and said if i´m ever back in panama I should send him a message. And did i mention he was very attractive? So i was feeling very chuffed and once he walked away us girls all had a wee giggle :p

So we arrived in Quito and were very relieved to feel the air was cooler here. It was still warm but not like the sweltering heat we were accustomed to. We were also very pleased to find everything is very cheap in Quito and its also a very beautiful city. We´re at an altitude of 2800m so we find walking the 4 flights of stairs to our room leaves us breathless but otherwise we haven´t been affected by altitude sickness so thats a relief. Our room is more like a hotel than a hostel which is awesome and it only costs us US$12 a night including breakfast which is awesome!! We have a four bed private room with ensuite and TV, it´s fantastic.

We didn´t do too much yesterday cos the gude books advise to take the first day easy to prevent making ourselve sick. So we went on the internet had dinner at an amazing cafe that was sooo cheap sooo delicious had a great atmostphere and the most lovely woman who served us. It was perfect. So good we went back today for lunch and we´ve yet to be disappointed with anything we´ve ordered. After we went back to the room and just chillaxed and i think i was in bed by 8pm cos there wasn´t really anything else to do.

Today we got up early, claimed our free breafast and went to check out the markets. the taxi only cost us $3, which we later found out was quite expensive! We spent about an hour wandering around the markets, admiring the artwork, buying a few things and trying but generally failing at bargaining. It just doesn´t come naturally to us. Then we crossedc the road past an ambulance and a crowd of people and we were very shocked to see a dead body on the road wrapped in two garbage bags, it was very disturbing. We have no idea what happened but it was scary to see.
After another delicious lunch we went to check out Basilica del Voto Nacional which was described as the deadliest view in Quito. It was alot of fun, the basilica was very impressive to look at and then after climbing about 8 flights of stairs, a spiral staircase and then 4 ladders we reached the top of the steeple. The floor was just metal supporting bars with mesh over it and the mesh had holes all through it, then you can climb out the window onto a small ledge which gives you an amazing view and a rush of adrenaline. As we sat up there we could hear the drumming of a ocal marching band which was soo loud it sounded like gun shots echoing through the valley, it added to the atmosphere quite well. It was amazing and quite freaky at the same time sitting up there. Check out facebook for some photos. It was the kind of thing that health and safety would never allow in NZ or aus. then we headed back down, i rang the bell three times on my way past and then taxied back home for $1.30!! It was awesome. Then we went out for brownies and sundaes at a chocolate cafe and then came here. Now i´m up to date!!