We made it!

Dear Mom and Dad,

We finally arrived in Quito!! Getting a taxi was fairly simple. We decided to play it safe and get one from one of the airport stands. We knew we would probably get ripped off, but we just wanted a safe/hassle free ride. The first stand had absolutely no idea where our hostel was located. This made me nervous at first because I quickly thought we booked a place over the internet and maybe it was a scam. Then we went to the next stand, and right on the podium was a brochure for our hostel. The ride ended up costing us $10, but was well worth the comfort in knowing we were going to make it to the hostel safe.

I was really nervous when  I first saw the hostel. Here is a picture of the front view.

 It`s hard to tell in the picture but, it´s gated with metal all around the hostel and the front desk person has to buzz you in. There is barb wire surrounding the entire place, with glass shards cemented into the building. Not the best first impression I might add. The next three pictures are of us in our room. We have our own bed, small kitchen, and dresser. I think the other hostel guests thought we were pompous assholes because we are the only ones not staying in the dorm style rooms, but really I did not want to sleep in  room with five other guests on the first night.

The next picture is of the front of the Vibes. Santiago is the one behind the computer. He owns the place and just bought it 8 months ago. He´s the front desk clerk, bartender, maid, and anything else that goes into running a hostel. He is the one man show. I think he´s super nice, and explained in detail where to go and where not to go. The other hostel guests are just as friendly and all about our age.

The next series of pictures are just of the hostel itself. The courtyard, pool table, kitchen for other guests, bar, etc. Everything is open air, so it´s pretty cool here. I don´t mind the temperature except when getting in and out of the shower then it´s really cold. We do have hot water when bathing, but it´s anything but a "nice hot shower." It´s either scalding hott or when you turn a little cold water on, then it´s freezing cold. Let´s just say I might not shave my legs for the next three months.The bathrooms are community, which isn´t so bad. Also, there is a dog that lives in the hostel. He´s super friendly, and Santiago adopted him when he found out the dog was to be killed from living on the streets.

This next picture is a view from our room. You can kind of see a better view of the glass shards guading our room. Rest assure, we are safe.

We are staying on-top of our laundry. Here you can see we have clean underwear and socks drying.

Our stay was been wonderful so far. The first night we spluged and ate out at a nice place in the plaza. Our bill was $40.82 for a bottle of wine, two bottles of water, and two pizza dinners. At the nicer restaurants, there is always a 12% tax and a 10% gratuity charge. The next day we ate dinner at a local establishment and had 5 beers and two chicken wrap dinners for a total of $8. If the place doesn´t charge for a tip, then it´s expected not to tip. It´s a little odd for us to not tip, but we are getting used to it. It´s definitely cheaper to eat away from the downtown plaza area. Wine costs about $15 in the stores and $20 in the restuarants. Not a bad markup. The water costs $1.35 for two gallons in the stores and $1.52 for a small regular size bottle in the restuarants. Very different.

Our biggest entertainment happened yesterday when Charlie and I noticed a couple stumble out of the bar SCREAMING at each other. The girl was hitting and kicking her boyfriend I´m assuming. Then she pretended to faint and throw a temper tantrum. The only thing I can compare this to was the time JD threw a temper tantrum in Walmart when he was two years old and you wouldn´t let him have any M&M´s. This went on for at least a half an hour. The police stopped to watch them, but continued on their way. If this was to happen in the PedMall in IC, both parties would have been arrested on the spot or at least breathalized.

We also had the opportunity to watch an Ecuadorian soccer game here. The town goes nuts. Everything is decorated in their countries colors and EVERYBODY goes out. I mean everybody. Old, young, and babies were in the bars for the game. Unfortunately, they lost, but I can imagine how crazy it would have gotten.

I forgot to mention our free breakfasts provided bythe hostel. Everyday it´s consisted of cornflakes, toast, warm milk, bananas, coffee, and tea. Surprisingly we like it and make sure to wake-up early enough to eat, then of course we go right back to bed to sleep. Hey, it´s rough living being a traveler. Friends we have made so far are from Ireland, Austria, and Australia. These people have so much experience in doing this because they have been doing it for years. We are definitely taking it all in, listening to their advice. It looks like Bolivia may now be added to the itenerary. Charlie even knows where he is going to do some surfing in Peru.

This has easily been one of my best life decisions, and I can´t thank you enough for supporting me. I´m havinig the time of my life!

Love always,

Matti Jo

PS. these computers are sooo hard to type on, and I for surely have some spelling and grammar mistakes. Don´t judge this teacher. I´m working with what I got. :)