In Quito

Well I'm finally here. I arrived in Quito and got through customs and immigration late last night early this morning caught a cab with BJ and spent the night at the OMS Guest House in N. Quito. After a partial night's sleep thanks to the party across the way and the altitude, I got up at about 7:30 and showered and had breakfast. After that I started my day and it hasn't stopped until just now. So far today I have ridden 4 buses, 1 taxi, and walked at least 2 miles if not more.

I caught the metrobus...the nicest one that runs off clear stops....to the main station where I caught the bus to Calderon (the town/suburb of Quito where I am for the next few days). After about an hourish on the buses we got off at Aki, a local grocery store, to buy some stuff for lunch. IT was the busiest place I've ever seen, just a wash of people buying food. And then we headed on into calderon proper..which meant we got right into the middle of Sunday Market. Everyone from Quito seems to flock to Calderon every sunday for the market to get fresh produce and meat. First of all we came to the house where I'm staying until i move in with my host family but shortly after we were navigating the mass market. I've never seen pig heads, pig hooves, chickens, chocolate, coffee, fruits (of every sort), vegetables, clothes, shoes, knives, farm equipment, DVDs, CDs, cut flowers all being sold in one place with such gusto. But anyway...we bought all the produce necessary and I bought four pieces of chocolate from the guy who saw gringo as the easy target. But It was only a dollar so it was worth it.

We then came back and dropped off the produce (and chocolate) realized we forgot eggs. Andi then went out and got some eggs for lunch. (For those who don't know which is probably a few of you, I'm living with BJ and Andi right now) So she returned and we took off for the grocery store. We had to walk probably a mile to the Pan-American HWY and flag down a bus. We then took the bus to one super market where Andi got off to do some shopping and BJ and I continued to the SuperMaxi, a slightly more expensive store with more selection so some things just have to be bought there.....like bacon and cherios and peanut butter. WEll we then took a bus back to the other store and went in. SInce we had bags you have to check them at the front and they give you a number. THis goes for any bags actually, possibly even purses. WEll long story short, we finished groceries and then headed to the taxi to take us back to the house. ON the way back the cab driver said it was obvious i had just arrived because I was still too white. Um yea....hopefully that won't change. The other option is bright red which is rather uncomfortable. Well after that BJ and I scarfed down some lunch and walked at least a mile if not a lot more to a house church. On the way we get a call that someone is sick and they had to take them to the hospital so there would only be BJ, myself, and his trainee who was taking pointers to lead next time so we just went, helped out around the place a bit, then headed back.....walking of course. And now I'm here. Tomorrow morning I'll be leaving the house at 5:00AM to go north 3 hours to some village that I can't remember so that BJ and Andi can get their Ecuadorian Driver's licenses. Thank you all for all of your prayers. They have been felt and have been transformative.