So far what I have found.
Hostals: I am staying at one that is $12.85 a night, including breakfast. Now this is with a shared bathroom. It is $14.89 a night with a private bathroom. They just don't have one available for me, right now. The only thing I find a problem is tha tthere are wooden floors and stairs and you can always hear people walking around, other than that it is cool. I have stayed in two Hostals, so far, and they are extremley clean. The place I am staying now, features scrambled eggs, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, pancakes, fresh fruit, and toast. The other place had much the same, but it was an additinal $3.
Internet cafes: They are everywhere! Costs are like 60 cents to a dollar an hour. BUT! they have been having problems with their servers here and many of the Internet Cafes have been down because they haven't been able to connect. Most of them sport 350 MHZ comps with as far as I see, a 28.8kb connection. Some places say they have 128kb connections, but I don't know, they are awfully slow. Some places give you free drinks when you are online, but sometimes they ask you if you want something to drink and sometimes not.
Want to see more of Ecuador?: There is no end to the tour operator groups here. Everything from the Tapir Lodge out in the middle of the deep jungle, to tours climbing Cotopaxi (The BIG Volcano), to cruises out to Galapagos. They are also many stores that sell camping, climbing, and hiking gear. I haven't been down to the ocean yet, but there looks like there are a ton of lodges, hostals, and hotels all along the coast. For an example, take a look at this website. http://www.casasol.com Take note of the prices.
Food: Lots of places to eat with a lot of variety. Mama Corlinda's features Cuy. That is the Guniea Pig I mentioned in an earlier post. No offense, but if you like your rat well done, this is the place to go. I mean, the poor sucker is forever in the "dying cockroach" position. Little legs up in the air........ But, all in all, my rat was pretty good, as long as I didn't have to look at it. $12.95 my friends for this delicacy. That is the most I have seen for any food here. I ate at a pretty good Chinese place today, at it was a $2.50 for a big plate of noodles with chicken and vegetables and a coke. It was good. You can eat cheap here. One note, if you eat at KFC, remember, Original Recipe is Crispy and Crispy is Orginal Recipe. Don't know why that is, it just is.
BARS: Lots of British Pub style bars. I especially like Reina Victoria bar. A Kiwi runs it named, Boz. Good guy. The bar has very good microbrew beer and damn good restaurant to boot. Best Fish and Chips I have had in almost 2 years. One thing that I have noticed about the bars here, not talking about the clubs, but the music isn't near as loud as it is in Cali. Heck, walking around isn't as loud as anywhere in Cali, that I have seen. You all know how 6th Av is, it's not like that here.
Driving: Ecuadorians look at me strange when I tell them they know how to drive. There is some sembelance order when they drive here. People stop at stop lights at all hours of the day and night. All the honking you hear in Cali isn't near that bad here. They honk, but it is only one or two cars, not the whole line of cars. Although, I have noticed there is a LOT of traffic around 5 to 6 pm. It's ok, it makes it easier for you to cross the street by foot. Plus, the streets are much cleaner and in better repair than in Cali. I asked if it was like this all over the city and I was told no, it is better in the West. I don't know, I haven't been down there yet.
Crime: Well, it's here. The group that is staying in my Hostal, like 6 of them have been robbed. All women. A guy comes up to them and asks for money. Every story I have heard, without exception, they give it to them. None of the victims ever mentioned seeing any kind of weapon. Yes, this might be the best option, but it is broad daylight and on a well traveled street. My thinking, yell, scream, and holler and runaway. There is a pretty good police prescence on the streets here, especially during the day. One trick is, after you come out of a building, someone will come up and discreetly spray mustard or ketchup on you, then try and help you wipe it off, while you are distracted someone else comes up and pick pockets you. Then there is a the brute force approach. 7 to 15 boys, men whatever jsut surround you and start going through your pockets. Not much you can do there. Just put on your "I'll whoop yer a**" face on and keep your eyes and ears open.
Ok, well it's Halloween and Reina Victoria Pub is giving out free Vodka shots.
Talk to y'all later..........
