Monday, October 20, 2008

Arriving to Quito Ecuador

So I had to get online to let my parents know I made it to Quito. Since I am here, I decided to write a quick post about my experience last night. Everything was going wayyyy to smoothly with my travels and it was starting to freak me out. I landed in Quito, got through customs and pulled out the instruction and directions that my hostel emailed me a few days ago. Hale a cab that has numbers in the window...this means they are legal cabs and won´t rob or kill you. And hand the driver these directions and you will get to the hostel safe and sound.
Well, my cab driver was this sweet old man that did not speak a lick of english. And as we all know, my spanish is not very good. So...we start cruising through Quito at about midnight and I am thinking everything is cool. After about 20 minutes though, I realize the cab driver has no idea where he is going. In fact, he can hardly read. He asks me to read the directions out loud and then read off the street signs as we pass them. Uhhhh seriously dude? Its freaking midnight in Quito and it doesn´t look like we are in the safest part of town. Finally, we pull over to the only store that is open and we get out. All I can hear the store owner saying is that she can´t believe I don´t speak spanish and this is not a good part of town for me. He cannot leave me here....hahah ok now I am nervous. I realize I have a phone number to the hostel, I give the owner .45 cents and pray that someone answers. Yes, the hostel mother answers and she exchanges words with the cab driver. I am thinking everything is cool at this point. We get back in the cab and come to found out, the poor old man still has no idea where he is going. We circle for like 10 more minutes and I am seriously about to grab my stuff and start walking. I see this woman in a long coat walking up and down the street waving at cabs. I realize that must be my hostel mother. We drive to her and she has it out with my driver....they start fighting over the directions. I get out...she hugs me and says she was worried I got in a bad cab at the airport and has been waiting for me. We walk to the hostel...she then unlocks this security gate and tells me to never go out at night around this part of town. My room is clean and nice....I can´t wait for Brad to arrive tomorrow morning. I put his M & Ms on his pillow to welcome him.

7 comments:

  1. Wow! That is crazy! We had an adventure like this in India, but the cab driver was actually trying to take us to another hotel where he would get a commission... You and Brad have a great time and be safe! I am glad you have a nice hostel mother!!!

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  2. I am glad to hear that you made it to you destination safe and sound. I can't wait to hear about your further adventures!!

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  3. The first day is usually the most difficult. Be safe.

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  5. Glad to hear you made it! Can't wait to get updates on the trip.
    Oh and by the way, you didn't tell me Melissa and I live on the same street! We live about 6 houses away from each other. Take care!

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  6. Incredible! What a crazy experience! I'm happy to know you're safe. Funny how we just think everyone can read. :) Take care and can't wait to read more.

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  7. Send photos.........glad you made it safely!

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