Return to Quito

Monday 15 August 2011

I very reluctantly checked out of the hostal and headed to the bus station for the 8.30am bus to Quito.  Ecuadorian bus travel is much more customer orientated than in Europe.  I was travelling the entire route from Cuenca to Quito.  There were some other passengers doing the same.  Many passengers, however, flagged down the bus at the side of the road, jumped on and told the bus driver when to stop, again at the side of the road.  Occasionally someone would jump on board selling fruit salad, sweets, rolls and other things to eat.  No bus journey in Ecuador is complete without a couple of straight-to-DVD films!  I’m glad I didn’t pay money to see My Neighbour is a Spy, the title says it all really!  All in all, a great experience all for a mere $10.

The bus arrived in Quito just after 6pm and I took a taxi home.  The taxis in Ecuador do have metres but normally you ask the price when you get in.  The trip home cost $3.  I had dinner with my family and told them about my trip then unpacked and got ready for the next day and again had an early-ish night.

All in all, a great weekend.  Lovely company, a beautiful city and a bit of culture.

Lx