Ecuador-Quito and Galapagos

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the green parrot

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I left for Quito, Ecuador the 17th of November and stayed until Nov. 30. I met my daughter, Melissa there, she has been staying in Ecuador for the last couple of months to learn the culture and language.

Arrival:  Flew from Minneapolis, MN to Chicago, then to Miami, then to Quito.  Each flight had a cushion of at least a couple of hours, which was good, because the plane to Miami was an hour late.  This was my first time flying alone, and also having to change planes this many times, so it was an adventure for me.  I didn't have any problems, just read the signs and asked a lot of questions! 

Nov. 17, 8 pm, Melissa met me at the airport, she snagged a taxi who took us to her lodging hostel, the Green Parrot, (rough translation), which was very decent place, with 2 beds & bathroom for only $9.00 a night.  Shower was hot, toilet worked.  Mel informed me not to throw toilet paper into any toilet in Ecuador, instead put paper into waste basket (something about sewer system efficiency & clogging).  We got unpacked, the plan for the next day was to finish the arrangements with the travel agency for the Galapagos tour and tour some around Quito.  You fly out of Quito to the Galapagos, then get on your boat for the tour of the islands.  There are 3 to 8 day tours that can be arranged, most on smaller boats holding 10 to 50 people, but there are also a couple of bigger ones with room for 100.  We arranged a catamaran holding 14 people for 8 days.  Ecuador uses US currency, but nobody ever has change, other then the $1.00 coins.