katecooper 0 #1 January 12, 2005 Greetings I'll be arriving in Quito, Ecuador the night of 18 January and have a full day (the 19th) to kill before i meet up with the rest of my travel companions. Any suggestions? We'll be taking a city tour on the 20th, so that's out... thanks kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #2 January 12, 2005 City tour? humbug!, go to Galapagos Island.__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gremlin 0 #3 January 12, 2005 Don't do anything too strenous as it is at 10,000ft and you WILL feel the effects. There are a couple of good / gentle walks up the local hills but do watch out for leeches which drop from the overhanging branches. I was there a couple of years back and really enjoyed the place but I don't think that there is a whole lot to do - as you are doing a City tour. Hope this helps: http://www.thebestofecuador.com/qtourist.htm I'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DTOXX 0 #4 January 12, 2005 LOL too funny. I am in Quito until the 22nd on a programming project. I say party with DT. Here are some pics of Quito I took yesterday afternoon and this morning. http://www.skiosk-esd.com/ecuador/ ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #5 January 12, 2005 What are you doing in Quito? A good friend of mine spent 3 years there in the PeaceCorp. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #6 January 12, 2005 Hunt for venomus snakes and sell them on eBay "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DTOXX 0 #7 January 12, 2005 I am here on company business working with the local IT and HES departments. I have been told I will not do the following: Travel in the city alone after dark. Travel in the city alone in the day. Take my laptop in public. Take my cellphone in public. Drink the water. In order for me to get to the office (which I swear is two blocks away) I have a driver. There is an armed guard at the office entrance, (outside), a card reader to enter the lobby door,a guard inside the lobby, a guard on the elevator, and a final card reader to enter the corporate offices. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Remster 24 #8 January 12, 2005 DT, is it just stupid corporate rules (which I assume it is) or is Quito pretty unsafe?Remster Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #9 January 12, 2005 QuoteDT, is it just stupid corporate rules (which I assume it is) or is Quito pretty unsafe? Quito is pretty unsafe. Rebels all over and crime in pretty rampant. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DTOXX 0 #10 January 12, 2005 It is my understanding that it is very unsafe. I was told over lunch today that the average income in Quito is $130 PER MONTH. There are many people on street corners offering to shine your shoes, sell you stuff (sun glasses, socks, "a date") While riding from the airport I saw a group of kids about 12 years old "breathing fire" at a traffic light for tips. This was a NO SHIT THERE I WAS moment to say the least. This is their equivalent of people offering to wash your windshield for a tip. (which they also do here). I am also told however that the city is far safer than the rest of the country. I am FORBIDDEN to travel outside of the city unless I have an armed escort. I will get to experience this first hand next week. ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JamesNahikian 0 #11 January 12, 2005 Call in advance and have your hotel arrange a day trip by horseback through the Pululahua National Park (bring a light rain shell). Cost is less than 75 USD and includes food and hotel transportation. D. James Nahikian CHICAGO Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #12 January 12, 2005 Man, I can't but chuckle at peoples responses to life in South America. Everything described is pretty run of the mill type stuff in the cities. Quito is a beautiful place and it's not really that dangerous. There is street crime and bad areas just like here in the states. You have to know your environment,once you do, you can pretty much go and do what you want to within reason. Displaying high dollar items or wearing jewlery in public is not a good idea in general. As far as Quito goes, there are plenty of nice sidewalk cafe's and stores to check out. The Museum , if it's open, is a nice place to check out. For night life check out Papillion's, it is off the hook as is the "smoking gator" but I hear the name has changed but it is/was American/british owned and plenty of people from those countries frequent there if thats the crowd you want to hang with. I wallked the streets at night to and from bars and never felt like it was any more dangerous than doing the same in the US. If your up for a walk, check out the volcano but it is an all day deal. You can , and I recommend you take either a tour or a taxi if you can speak the language to check out the equator markings and the big statue. Getting there and in that area is definately not an area I would recommend you walk around alone in even if you speak the language. Watch yourself with money exchange especialy if your using anything larger than a 20. they pull a quicky where they take your bill but then tell you they can't break it but give you a counterfeit bill back. Don't give the little kids shit,especially if they run up and swarm you because you are about to get jacked. asking them nicely to leave or go away doesn't work, you have to look like you are getting ready to unload on them for them to take you seriously. Try an INCA cola if you llike sweet drinks, it is the bomb. Avoid salads and ice cubes and if eating meat make sure it is well done, no medium or rare food should be eaten if your smart. Some of the best steaks I have had have been in South America so do give it a try. there is plenty of touristy stuff to do in Quito but I spent most of my time partying and wandering around on business related excursions. Take a small spanish/english dictionary with you if you don't speak but most of all have fun. No need to walk around scared. Seeing armed guards outside supermarkets or stores is as normal as seeing a police car driving around in the states. Which hotel are you staying in? Oh yeah, if you have the chance, try some agua ardiente. I don't think anyones ever gone blind from drinking it"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikki_ZH 0 #13 January 12, 2005 My brother visited a prison in Quito. Very interesting. There is an US inmate who organizes sight seeing for tourists.Michi (#1068) hsbc/gba/sba www.swissbaseassociation.ch www.michibase.ch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimmytavino 16 #14 January 12, 2005 .... wow how exciting!!! .... on a lighter note...... this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity Kate .... Try to see if you can stand facing due east or due west...and put one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one foot in the Southern Hemisphere.. Put your hands on your hips, get symmetrical, and smile at the rising or setting sun.... There must be a few places where the true equatorial line is noted,,, maybe a geological marker, or a surveying post..... hahahaha.. Speaking as someone who has never been further south,, than the "landing area at Sebastion..." ,, I think it would be cool to be standing right ON the equator.....Most of it is located across vast oceans and except for central Africa and parts of Brazil and S. Amer. not much of it is on land.. (Only thing,,, from the sounds of it... better make sure you are careful).. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Mikki_ZH 0 #15 January 12, 2005 Michi (#1068) hsbc/gba/sba www.swissbaseassociation.ch www.michibase.ch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites markd_nscr986 0 #16 January 12, 2005 You could peruse the local markets and see if you can find any Jivaro "shrunken heads".They make a great "mirror hanger" for the car Oh, and dont declare it in customs,makes for a lot of paperworkMarc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freeflyguy 0 #17 January 13, 2005 Maker sure you spend some time playing with the drain in the kitchen. Some days, the water drains by spinning to the left, some days it goes to the right. Some days, it just doesn't care, and will go whichever way you start it going. hmm. I know there are better things to do there, but that tripped me out for weeks. I always felt safe in Quito. It may have changed, but it used to be mellow, reasonably, anway. ---------------------------- bzzzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Levin 0 #18 January 13, 2005 QuoteIt is my understanding that it is very unsafe. my brother became good friends with a foreign exchange student from ecaudor back in high school. him and a friend were invited to ecaudor by her family and spent two weeks there. the family they stayed with was rich. my brother said the people in ecaudor loved americans. he never said anything about it being unsafe. that was 9 years ago. maybe thinmgs have changed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites DTOXX 0 #19 January 13, 2005 I agree with much of the above. There are certainly places in the US, the UK, and elsewhere that I do/would not feel safe. Personally I am not petite and feel I could take care of myself in a fight. This would do nothing for me if they have a gun however. Ecuador switched to the US dollar and in doing so they de-valued their currency as the date to change over approached. What was worth 8000 Surce (I think thats was the name) became 1000 Surces worth in US dollors. On top of this the governement held all bank accounts at that time. The amount you had in the bank depicted the amount of time the government held the money. Some people are still waiting. I was told over lunch, at a Tony Roma's, that the average income in Quito is $130 per month. I don't think I know anyone in the states that could live on that. These two factors have raised crime to new heights in the city. I paid careful attention on my drive to the hotel last night. Within 2 blocks I saw roughly 8 security guards. These are paid by businesses to keep the peace in front of they store/hotel/restuarants. These are NOT your average US security guards I would like to add. About half were armed with hand guns and I saw one rifle. (could have been a CAR15 or close to it) While some in the office think this is overkill (no pun intended) it is obvious that Quito is taking security serious. The security here is just short of Bogata but thats another story... ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites bhammond 0 #20 January 13, 2005 buy a fish Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites skybytch 259 #21 January 13, 2005 Geez Kate, world traveler that you are I'd think you would already know the answer to this one. Drink heavily of the local elixirs. Have fun climbing mountains! Can't wait to read the next installment of the Adventures of Kate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites flyangel2 2 #22 January 13, 2005 QuoteHave fun climbing mountains! Can't wait to read the next installment of the Adventures of Kate. I'll let Kate do all the hard work doing the climbing, and I'll sit back and read about her adventures.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites katecooper 0 #23 January 13, 2005 Thanks all I'm only in Quito for a day or two--then up to the mountains. Goal--Cotapaxi :-) Yes--I will be taking advantage of local hikes and treks while acclimating No--I will not be going to the Galapagos--this is a trip of land and not sea Yes-- I will drinkand eat everything that is offered and/or suggested. No--I will not carry a laptop while yakking on a cell phone, guzzling tap water, flaunting large amounts of currency (any denomination) and wearting an "I am an american tourist" sign while walking around the city alone at night. Yes--I will have fun No--I don't know which hostel(s) we will be staying at Yes--I will take photos and notes Thanks to all. kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites VanillaSkyGirl 6 #24 January 13, 2005 Scott (LouD) has a great post for recommendations. I am Peruvian, not from Chile, but Pisco Sour is popular in both Chile and Peru. I highly recommend this cocktail, but be careful. This alcoholic drink may be more potent than you may initially think. Have fun, Kate! Edited because my mind drifted, and I was thinking directly about Chile and Peru when typing, not Ecuador. Perhaps you can try this drink, anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites LouDiamond 1 #25 January 13, 2005 QuoteWithin 2 blocks I saw roughly 8 security guards. These are paid by businesses to keep the peace in front of they store/hotel/restuarants. These are NOT your average US security guards I would like to add. About half were armed with hand guns and I saw one rifle. (could have been a CAR15 or close to it) Really, thats not abnormal for most places in central and south america. In the 15+ years I have been traveling in those countries I don't think I've ever seen it any other way. I always like it when people get a dose of other countries "standards or norms". it's serves as a real eye opener as to how good we really do have it in this country, in so many ways it isn't funny. Kate: Cotapoxi is a blast, my team summited it back in 94 with guides from the Fuerzas Especiales Alpanista school located at the base of the volcano/mountain. I imagine you will be going by tour bus from Quito to Cotapoxi as I remember a tour bus of people show up one day.They basically drop you off in the what for lack of better words is a gravel parking lot at the base of the mountain. From there, if you want, you can hike up a trail to the refugio or what is really the base camp. It is manned year around by a care taker and you can buy hot chocolate and snacks from him(at least climbers can) and sleep there before you ascend. I still have the little receipt from our stay in the refugio. if memory serves me, it is at approx 10k feet. Between Quito and Cotapoxi there is a very nice hotel/resort area that they may take you to.I used to know the family that managed it but i hear it has since changed hands. have a good time and take lots of pictures, it is very beautiful."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 Next Page 1 of 2 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. 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Mikki_ZH 0 #15 January 12, 2005 Michi (#1068) hsbc/gba/sba www.swissbaseassociation.ch www.michibase.ch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markd_nscr986 0 #16 January 12, 2005 You could peruse the local markets and see if you can find any Jivaro "shrunken heads".They make a great "mirror hanger" for the car Oh, and dont declare it in customs,makes for a lot of paperworkMarc SCR 6046 SCS 3004 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflyguy 0 #17 January 13, 2005 Maker sure you spend some time playing with the drain in the kitchen. Some days, the water drains by spinning to the left, some days it goes to the right. Some days, it just doesn't care, and will go whichever way you start it going. hmm. I know there are better things to do there, but that tripped me out for weeks. I always felt safe in Quito. It may have changed, but it used to be mellow, reasonably, anway. ---------------------------- bzzzz Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Levin 0 #18 January 13, 2005 QuoteIt is my understanding that it is very unsafe. my brother became good friends with a foreign exchange student from ecaudor back in high school. him and a friend were invited to ecaudor by her family and spent two weeks there. the family they stayed with was rich. my brother said the people in ecaudor loved americans. he never said anything about it being unsafe. that was 9 years ago. maybe thinmgs have changed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DTOXX 0 #19 January 13, 2005 I agree with much of the above. There are certainly places in the US, the UK, and elsewhere that I do/would not feel safe. Personally I am not petite and feel I could take care of myself in a fight. This would do nothing for me if they have a gun however. Ecuador switched to the US dollar and in doing so they de-valued their currency as the date to change over approached. What was worth 8000 Surce (I think thats was the name) became 1000 Surces worth in US dollors. On top of this the governement held all bank accounts at that time. The amount you had in the bank depicted the amount of time the government held the money. Some people are still waiting. I was told over lunch, at a Tony Roma's, that the average income in Quito is $130 per month. I don't think I know anyone in the states that could live on that. These two factors have raised crime to new heights in the city. I paid careful attention on my drive to the hotel last night. Within 2 blocks I saw roughly 8 security guards. These are paid by businesses to keep the peace in front of they store/hotel/restuarants. These are NOT your average US security guards I would like to add. About half were armed with hand guns and I saw one rifle. (could have been a CAR15 or close to it) While some in the office think this is overkill (no pun intended) it is obvious that Quito is taking security serious. The security here is just short of Bogata but thats another story... ------- D.T. Holder SIMstudy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 259 #21 January 13, 2005 Geez Kate, world traveler that you are I'd think you would already know the answer to this one. Drink heavily of the local elixirs. Have fun climbing mountains! Can't wait to read the next installment of the Adventures of Kate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #22 January 13, 2005 QuoteHave fun climbing mountains! Can't wait to read the next installment of the Adventures of Kate. I'll let Kate do all the hard work doing the climbing, and I'll sit back and read about her adventures.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katecooper 0 #23 January 13, 2005 Thanks all I'm only in Quito for a day or two--then up to the mountains. Goal--Cotapaxi :-) Yes--I will be taking advantage of local hikes and treks while acclimating No--I will not be going to the Galapagos--this is a trip of land and not sea Yes-- I will drinkand eat everything that is offered and/or suggested. No--I will not carry a laptop while yakking on a cell phone, guzzling tap water, flaunting large amounts of currency (any denomination) and wearting an "I am an american tourist" sign while walking around the city alone at night. Yes--I will have fun No--I don't know which hostel(s) we will be staying at Yes--I will take photos and notes Thanks to all. kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VanillaSkyGirl 6 #24 January 13, 2005 Scott (LouD) has a great post for recommendations. I am Peruvian, not from Chile, but Pisco Sour is popular in both Chile and Peru. I highly recommend this cocktail, but be careful. This alcoholic drink may be more potent than you may initially think. Have fun, Kate! Edited because my mind drifted, and I was thinking directly about Chile and Peru when typing, not Ecuador. Perhaps you can try this drink, anyway. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #25 January 13, 2005 QuoteWithin 2 blocks I saw roughly 8 security guards. These are paid by businesses to keep the peace in front of they store/hotel/restuarants. These are NOT your average US security guards I would like to add. About half were armed with hand guns and I saw one rifle. (could have been a CAR15 or close to it) Really, thats not abnormal for most places in central and south america. In the 15+ years I have been traveling in those countries I don't think I've ever seen it any other way. I always like it when people get a dose of other countries "standards or norms". it's serves as a real eye opener as to how good we really do have it in this country, in so many ways it isn't funny. Kate: Cotapoxi is a blast, my team summited it back in 94 with guides from the Fuerzas Especiales Alpanista school located at the base of the volcano/mountain. I imagine you will be going by tour bus from Quito to Cotapoxi as I remember a tour bus of people show up one day.They basically drop you off in the what for lack of better words is a gravel parking lot at the base of the mountain. From there, if you want, you can hike up a trail to the refugio or what is really the base camp. It is manned year around by a care taker and you can buy hot chocolate and snacks from him(at least climbers can) and sleep there before you ascend. I still have the little receipt from our stay in the refugio. if memory serves me, it is at approx 10k feet. Between Quito and Cotapoxi there is a very nice hotel/resort area that they may take you to.I used to know the family that managed it but i hear it has since changed hands. have a good time and take lots of pictures, it is very beautiful."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
