Ecuador is the bomb!

[Traveller]

I'll write more about Quito when I get a chance, but from what I have experienced so far, this place is great. Clean, good food with many different choices of restaurants and bars. It seems more modern than Cali will be in 10 years. One thing that really surprised me is they ahve a series of electric trolleys.
Don't get me wrong, I dig Cali and I consider that home, but seriously thinking about relocating in some fashion. As far as women, no it ain't Cali, but I have seen some rather nice looking women here.
There are some really cool places to stay for like $14 or 15 dollars a night. Less if you don't mind having a private bathroom for like $10 a night.
English schools abound here. I am going to go to a school next week for something like $4 an hour. Plus, I get a discount because I will be staying at a Hostal that as an agreement with them.
They have a ton of stuff to do here. Kayaking, climibing, scuba diving, trips out to Gallapagos, jungle tours, Volcano tours, etc.
I don't know about meeting a wife here, because I haven't seen anything resembling an Agency, but it might be a good cheap place for a vacation or coming here with your novia.
Ok. That's good for today.
K............................................

[Cali vet]

... in response to Ecuador is the bomb!, posted by Traveller on Oct 17, 2002

Traveller, What did you have to pay for rd trp airfare from Cali? Or did you buy one way? I was quoted about $300 rd trp.

[Traveller]

... in response to Re: Ecuador is the bomb!, posted by Cali vet on Oct 19, 2002

From Cali, I paid $285 round trip. There was not a direct flight from Cali to Quito, so I had to fly to Bogota first.

[Cali vet]

... in response to Re: Re: Ecuador is the bomb!, posted by Traveller on Oct 19, 2002

Thanks, I was quoted the same itinerary and a few dollars more. Have a great time. I wanna make it down there soon but have only gotten as far as picking up the Lonely Planet Guide to Ecuador.

[Patrick]

... in response to Ecuador is the bomb!, posted by Traveller on Oct 17, 2002

I'd love to see a trip report from that city.  It was second only to Cali in terms of response rates by interested Latinas when we advertised there.  Gotta be a lot of interested ladies.  Isn't Quito overrun with touristas?

[Traveller]

... in response to Have you tried Guayaquil?, posted by Patrick on Oct 18, 2002

Oh yeah, there are a ton of Europeans here. Heck, I'm starting to get an accent. I don't mind them much, because as you all know, I have been living in Cali without too many people to speak English with, so for me, it's kind of refreshing. This is backpack city, ewveryone carries one. I think most tourists here are to take Spanish classes. Heck, I'm going next week myself, just have to figure out which of the 100 schools to go to.
I am trying different Hostals in Quito. I am currently staying at Casa Helbling. It's quite and it's pretty nice. Clean and has a good staff. I pay $14 a night for a room with a private bathroom.
I am heading over to take a look at a place called Hostal Tu Casa. It's $3.50 a night. I have apssed by it and it looks ok, but I just want to check it out.
Don't know if I am going to be able make the trip to Guayaquil on this trip. I want to get over to Montanita and check out the resort that the Californian Surfer owns. It boasts $77 a week. From the photos I have seen it looks wonderful.
Yesterday, I went to QuiCentro Mall. It looks a lot like Arden Mall in Sacramento. Anyone who says there aren't attractive women here are outta their gourd. It is not the 1 in 3 ratio that Cali has, more like 1 in 10, but believe me, they are here.
Guess what, this weekend is Ley Seca. Ecuador is having elections so no booze being sold in Ecuador. Bummer, man!
One funny note, people know how to drive here. There isn't all the honking and just general driving all over the lanes. People stay in their lanes, stop at the stop lights, even at 1 AM, as I witnessed last night. There also is not the panhandlers and vendors on every corner like in Cali either. They have some of all of it here, but on a much smaller degree.
Ok, wel lthat's good fro today.