It felt like the pilot decided to land on a rooftop. The landing strip is very thinly weaved into Quito's center, and we had an intimate view of the mountains that tightly frame it. So far, Quito is fascinating-- both familiar as a 21st century metropolis and deeply different as a sprawling Andean city. Large roads. Screaming billboards at every red light. Characterless buildings. American dollars as the official currency. But also-- station wagons with three or more giggling kids squished into the trunk. Women with long black braids swaying at their hips. Clubs blasting salsa (extremely refreshing to my over-technoed ears.). Thin breaths of air as a reminder of the altitude.
The count so far:
ONE- mulberry fruit juice for breakfast. Electric purple. Fresh. Perfect.
THREE- number of times the coockoo clock coockoos every hour. No joke. My host mother lived in Switzerland for a number of years. I was greeted by a flag and semi-kitschy pictures of snowy peaks.
TWENTY seconds, time I have to press the button on the gas heater in the courtyard to guarantee a hot shower.
TWO THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY, meters of altitude at which I'm writing these words.
A HUNDRED, percentage of excitement as I set out for the city this morning :D
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Alelu ! This is so exciting ! I'm so happy you're on my radar / google reader so I can share your crazy adventures. Much love from a sunny ( whatttt ?! ) Cambridge xxxx
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely that you made this blog!
ReplyDeleteI'll be following you in your every step across your mountaineous adventure!
much love
allleeexx!! this is wonderful. I can so easily picture you there, taking it all in (cuckoo clocks and all hehe!!). Buenos Aires is equally fascinating and contradictory, albeit in different ways; shiny, glass skyscrapers are snugly alongside 1920s Parisian-style grand buildings and tiny kioskos that look like they belong on New York's Canal St., full of maté gourds. Not to mention the occasional palm tree in the middle of a city block! I can't wait for you to come and see for yourself!!!! then you can hear some clubs blasting tango music :)
ReplyDeleteooh also i am writing a blog, too: http://buenosatwood.blogspot.com . I will try to figure out this "following" thing and connect us. besos besos besos!!!