I'm in Ecuador right now (inflation 8.2%, female life expectancy 74.86, home of the world cup's and UNICEF ambassador Ulises de la Cruz) and the capital Quito (elevation 2850m and twinned with Buxton, England). More specifically I write from my favourite internet cafe of my trip so far 'Net Flanders' in the Mariscal area. This area of the city rivals Thamel in Kathmandu for touristicness given the huge number of hostels, restaurants, bars, internet places and the option buying of chocolate brownies (unfortunately though it was a disappointing brownie experience).
You may or may not have noticed that of late I have developed a possibly unhealthy habit of writing in lists, overusing (and probably misusing) brackets, and adding lots of PS' on the end of my ramblings. I have no intention of stopping.
Having been in Ecuador a week now the things that have made the biggest impression on me have been as follows;
- The green man light on some of the pedestrian crossings is animated! I have been purposely taking a certain route to the park to go jogging that involves using one such crossing so I can see the green man. The animation is not entirely dissimilar to the Michaeal Palin extended leg action in the ministry of silly walks sketch.
- I like the pork pie style hats that the indigenous population wear here and I fully intend on getting one.
- Fitted bed sheets have made their way to ecuador after being distinctly absent in Venezuela and parts of colombia (much to my annoyance) meaning I can finally wake up in the morning not lying directly on the mattress.
- The national dish here is cuy which mean guinea pig in spanish. I haven't met anyone yet (ecuadorian or otherwise) who doesn't think that it is absolutely terrible.
- I have been able to watch Match of the Day here. Somehow a dodgy irish pub can get BBC on the internet (by the way if you are reading this on monday 21st april in england - after a wet start in the south things should brighten up a bit later on and by the afternoon there may even be sunny spells, maximum temp 15).
- It is with considerable relief I can report I have finally been able to buy shower gel and do not any longer have to piss around with soap when showering. That may not sound like a big deal but anyone who has had Sky and then cancelled their subscription and subsequently been subjected to terrestrial channels only will know how I felt.- It's quite cold here and the altitude is noticeable when you are running or walking briskly. The need to breath deeply is particularly testing when local busses pass close due to think black smoke that comes from their rear.
- The touristic area attracts some undesirable types after dark and numerous people I have met have been relieved of their wallets on the streets. One of the girls from our group had her purse snatched but managed to get it back after getting the bloke in a headlock, a bloke at the hostel got beaten up in a nightclub toilet for his wallet, and another got mugged twice in the same night by the same mugger. I have had no problems so far though and don't anticipate any looking as hard as I do. I phoned home the other day and my mother's advice is to stay in my hotel room and not go out at all, ever.
- They use the US dollar here after their economy went mental a few years back and they switched currencies. This is makes things much simpler than the previous two countries where things were thousands to the pound and the exchange rates shifted dramatically at a moments notice. I am considering growing my hair like the bloke on the back of the $10 note.
- I've found a hotel with proper pillows. Given the horrible pillows I have had to contend with on this trip up to now I would with the benefit of hindsight have considered bring my one from home with me (hand plucked Siberian goose down).
We've ended up in Ecuador after the last blog from Colombia. The general consensus is that Colombia was fantastic and a great place to visit. Although it hardly has the best reputation it was clear that the place has been cleaned up a bit and seems to be of little danger to the visitor. The cities and towns all have a heavy police presence and nobody I travelled with or met seemed to have any trouble. After Cartagena on the north coast we flew back down to the capital Bogota and travelled on by bus to a small town called Villa de Lleva (probably spelt incorrectly) for a few days to wander around admiring the old buildings and do a spot of mountain biking in the surrounding hills. Colin the Crocodile was re-inflated for the first time for a couple of weeks for a night out on the town but only really served to agitate the local dog population more than I was comfortable with and his latino dancing at a local late night venue certainly left a lot to be desired.- One of the managers was sent off for arguing with the ref and was escorted down the tunnel by a dozen riot police.
- There was a complete absence of long hopeful balls forward (I'm not sure if this is due to their preferred style of play or the lack of John Fashanu's in Ecuador that could make something from such passes). - The players throw themselves on the floor with gay abandon. - The general quality of the football was poor. - The ice creams on sale in the ground did not come with a 'Extreme Cold - could stick to your to tongue and hurt' warning. - Around 12% of ecuadorian football fans have a 'short on top, sides, and front with curly mullet at the back which jiggles around amusingly at the slightest movement' haircut. I'm now highly disappointed I forgot to take a picture of one.
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