urbanblitz

I am absolutely sad about leaving Ecuador, right now. It was a fantastic experience. Especially the folks I met at the Galapagos. The poor sea lions I stalked down the beach. And the blue footed boobies. It was a total spanish immersion for me. And now I find that I understand the language so much more in practice.

I did not enjoy getting sick in Otavalo and getting bitten by bed bugs at the Hotel Riveria Sucre. And I was totally out of it at 4:15 am this morning while I stumble out of my hotel to catch a 6:25 am flight. In fact, I even left my fleece at the hotel. Oh wells. I am looking forward to going back home, but I’m going to miss Ecuador.

And travelling sick was definitely not a good idea. I was sweating throughout the whole flight. But was glad to be back in the States. As soon as I landed in Miami I made a bee line to the drug store to get some sucrets and theraflu strips. I was really surpised that they let me in the country sick. But I did cruise through customs.

It was my last day in Otavalo and I couldn’t wait to get back to Quito. It turns out that Luis had not called the driver from Quito, and Senora Arrinda had told me it was better for me to go with her friend Santos. It would cost me 40 dollars, especially if I went at a time that was more convenient for him. Personally, I thought she was in cahoots with the driver. I was so ill that I slept the whole way down to Quito. When Santos dropped me off at Cafe Cultura, I had given him 45 dollars. I thought that was a generous tip. Then he was like Senorita, I thought I was suppose to get 50 dollars. Apparently, when he drove me to the Parque de Condor with Senora Arrinda, they were talking freely in spanish because they assume I could not understand. What he didn’t realize what as much as I could not articulate in spanish, I understood a lot more. In the end, he just said okay senorita, okay senorita. He was pissed but he can just s’od off. I really didn’t like how you had to argue over the simpliest things in Ecuador. But I must admit that I was glad to be back in Quito.

Since my room was not ready yet. I headed over to the Plaza Foch for some food. I had the most amazing crepe. Which is quite a blessing since I really did not like any of the food when I was up in Otavalo. I found that most food in Ecuador was either bland or too salty. And I just completely lost my appetite.

I was really extremely happy to be back at Cafe Cultura. It was comforting to have a hot shower.

This is the real reason why I came to Otavalo. I wanted to experience the Saturday Market. But I really should have listen to Forrest because after 3 days of Otavalo, I was going stir crazy from boredom. I’m such a city gal. I had gotten up really early in the morning so I would be able to see the market open. And found that looking like a confused tourist had helping in haggling.

I met up with Pao from travbuddy at her father’s office. Basically, Pao, her father and Eugenia had took me around Ibarra which is a town that is know for their woodwork. They had taken me to a popular lunch spot for a traditional ecuadorian meal. It was really cool. Pao’s father seem like he was very well travelled and wanted his daugther so see the world. I was really glad that they were so kind to show me around their beautiful country.

So we ended our visit at La Esquina cafe for a few scoops of ice cream. Since Pao could not finish her portion. Her father was very happy to polish it off for her. I guess there also more room for ice cream.

After they had dropped me off at Otavalo. I made a few last minute purchases. A few souvenirs, shirts and small little trinkets. I bought a tortoise necklace so that I would not forget my wonderful experience in the Galapagos. It was cool that I got see the market open and close.

By the end of the day, I felt very ill. Fortunately, I knew enough spanish to be able to go to the pharmacy to get some medicine. And medicine isn’t very cheap in Ecuador. I was glad that I had brought some stuff with me from the States, but I think I got the flu. The temperature in Otavalo was extremely cold, and it didn’t help that I was taking cold showers for about 2 days. Their idea of hot water was very tepid. It was just a matter of time before I got sick.

I had headed up to Otavalo on Thursday, so that I would be able to make the artisan tour with Zulaytur on Friday. I heard great things about the tour in the guidebooks. Except that they didn’t mention that the whole tour would be in spanish. Thank god, I knew enough spanish to get by. Pretty much we visited a lot of homes in Peguche to see yarn spinning, felting, knitting and weaving. I felt it was less of a tour about the life of the artisan but more of a how to sell the tourist the final product. The most exciting thing, was when a guinea pig had ran up to me at one of the homes. It was really cute, but too bad it was going to be someone’s meal in a few hours.

After the tour, I had gotten lunch with Diego and Felipe. I thought they were a couple but I was mistaken. Oh wells. During lunch an Argentian band came to play some music at the cafe. It was quite lovely.

Then I headed back to the hotel. Senora Arrina was going to accompany me to the Parque de Condor. Gaby had suggested that I check out this sight when I head up to Otavalo. It was quite chilly at the Park, and Senora Arrina kept pestering me for my jacket. After the 50th time, I just gave her my jacket. I really didn’t want to, and I regretted this a few days later. We stayed till about 4:30 to watch the bird show. And I even got to get a picture taken with a baby eagle. I think it was a baby eagle.

All in all it was a very productive day. I even found a restaurant on Sucre street where I met a waitress who invited me to hear some Andes music. But since I really didn’t have my bearings in this new city, I was not inclined to go out late at night. While I was heading back to my hotel, I ran into the group Pura Zambo which was the Argentian band from lunch. It was really cool that they remembered me from lunch. They had invited me to their gig on Saturday night before saying goodbye. People are so friendly in Otavalo.

Before heading up to Otavalo, I went to Mitad de Mundo with Dave. At the actual equator, a guide showed us all these demonstrations about the equator. It was really an one-on- one with the guide.

We also had to try to balance an egg on a nail. Since I couldn’t do it vertically, I balanced it horizontally. I guess that was consider cheating. Bah! Dave manage to balance it vertically so he got a nice little certificate which I had to sign as his witness. Can you see my face turn green with envy, right now. I want a certificate too. No one stipulated it had to be balanced vertically. Grrr…

Then we headed over to the Mitad del Mundo Monument. In which I took the obligatory equator picture. I must admit that the equator experience was well worth it.

I was extremely sad about leaving and considered staying in Quito for another day. But it was time to say goodbye to Dave. I had grown accustomed to his company and was really surprised that I didn’t throw him off the boat. But I did try. He just wouldn’t budge.

The ride up to Otavalo was just amazing. My driver was a bit of a chatty cathy because I was able to carry a conversation with him. The clouds were just so perfect. We got up to Otavalo around 5:00 pm, and I made a bee line towards the internet cafe. I spent over 2 hours there after being deprived of internet access in the Galapagos. After catching up with friend on IM, email and facebook, I had to get something to eat. I tried to find something around the hotel. And was only able to find a small burger joint Nel’s burger a block from the hotel. It was such a bad idea. By the time I got back to my hotel I was praying to the toilet gods. I knew I should have just stuck to the slim jims.

We all left the boat at about 6:30 am to head over to the Darwin Center to see the giant tortoises in captivity. There was Diego who is a 150 years old. And Lonesome George, the last remaining giant tortoise from Pinta. They think he’s gay. Apparently they try cross breeding him with another female tortoise, and George was having none of that.

Afterwards, we all headed over to the airport. Even got my Galapagos souvenir stamp in my passport. It was wicked cool. I could not sit still on the flight. I really didn’t want to leave the Galapagos and the wildlife. But I was also glad to be back in Quito.

That night, I had joined some other Galapagos travellers for dinner at the Hotel Quito. The meal was absolutely fabulous. But it also took 3 hours to finish. The best part was it only cost 20 with tax and tip. That’s just unheard of in NY.

I’m getting a bit tired of the food on board. Frankly, it’s either bland or a bit too salty. And I don’t think I want anymore fish, eggs, or cheese because that’s all they serve. I’m also feeling Pavlovan trained. Every time they ring the bell, I know food is coming. The new passengers think it’s quite funny. But let’s see how they are in a few days.

I can’t seem to get enough pictures of sea lions. Today, is the last full day of touring in the Galapagos. So they were trying to jam pack everything into the itinerary. We were to see more iguanas, sea lions, and pelicans. Seriously, how many more sea lions can I photograph. But the coolest thing happen on board. The crew threw some food out to feed the birds, and it was just absolutely amazing to watch the blue footed boobies dive for food. Then this frigate decided perch on the second floor of the boat. It was an absolutely amazing sight.

After 7 days of internet withdrawal, I was so happy when we had gone to the internet cafe at Santa Cruz.

On our first island we ran into the cutest sea lion pup. I told him to pose for me. Then to work it. He gave me such amazing shots. And when I tried to leave he gave me these puppy dog eyes. Don’t go. I guess I had a little diva on my hands.

We’re suppose to go see the Galapagos Penguins today. And I’m just absolutely stoked. I don’t think I particularly like this new group. A few of them are pretty set in their ways especially this Canadian couple who were a bit upset that they wouldn’t be able to see the blue footed boobies. The problem is that when you pick a 4 day Galapagos tour you’re going to miss out on something. It’s either going to be the giant tortoise, blue footed boobies or the penguins. Anyhow, we took the dingy over to see the penguins around 5 pm because that’s when they come back on land. And I’m quite disappointed. WTF! I only saw 5 freaking Galapagos penguins. *Grumble* I’m going to go sulk in the corner now.

Today, we’ll be saying goodbye to most of the passengers at Santa Cruz. Some are going home, while others are heading off the Inca trail. I’ve grown use to having Karen my roommate around and the routine we had set. So before we all part our ways, we were going to see more blue footed boobies. Woo hoo! But I must admit that I’m a bit tired of seeing more sea lions, iguanas and crabs. While on Santa Cruz we bumped into Hazel and Jonathan who were on another boat. In honor of our brief reunion, we were oblige to take a group photo on the Galapagos.

(Jonathan, Hazel, Karen, me and Dave)

But then it was time to say goodbye. Dave and I would probably see Hazel and Jonathan in Quito, while Karen was off to the Inca trail. I was really not looking forward to meeting the new group. And I was kind of accustomed to the quirkiness of our current group.

Aside from seeing more blue footed boobies, today was a bit of a waste. I think we spent a few hours waiting for the new passenger to come aboard. I must admit it was very amusing to watching them all take pictures of their first sea lion.

Today we visited the bachelor sea lion colony. And what an adventure it turned out to be. First we encountered an iguana who was trying to feast on a cactus leaf that fell off. It was trying to polish it off before the other iguanas discovered. He didn’t seem like he wanted to share and looked at the paparazzi humans to just go away. Mr. Iguana just wanted to just have meal in peace.

At first, I didn’t know what was going on. I just saw this gigantic sea lion on our trail. Who knew would turn into the showdown between the sea lion vs. Walter the Guide. He had first tried to wave his hat at the sea lion. But apparently that was just a no go.

Then he tried clapping his hands. And the sea lion looked at him like, that’s all you got. So he barks at Walter. No way am I moving. I’m a lazy sea lion and I’m bigger than you.

Then Walter points his hat at the sea lion. Now look buster, I command you to move. Don’t make me look like a fool in front of the group. And sea lion just came back roaring.

And the sea lion jumps forward and says no. I’m not moving my fat ass from this trail. I was here first. Now just move your scrawny little legs elsewhere.

Then he makes a charge at Walter.

It came to the point, that Walter even took off his hat to the sea lion to plead with him.

But the sea lion didn’t want to move. Eventually, Walter threw rocks at him. And the sea lion moved to the side. He made a lot noise when we went by. I don’t think was very happy about being displaced. And he made us all know he wasn’t pleased.

Then we encountered a small sea lion pup that didn’t want us to leave. He was in our path. Vance had get the pup to jumped into the dingy. But it didn’t work. I clapped my hands several times before he moved over enough for me to walk over him. Then it was Karen’s turn to get into the dingy. And the sea lion just moved in her way and gave her the puppy eyes. It was so cute. Karen clapped her hands and said please move. You look so cute, that I almost want to take my camera out. But he finally moved. I guess he didn’t want us to leave him on the island with the other bachelor sea lions.