Chicken Soup for the Backpacker´s Soul

Dear Friends and Family,

I had a wonderful time in Quito. My parents had reserved me a room at the Radisson for the night. It was gorgeous. During check-in, I was served freshly squeezed mango juice in a champagne glass (not exactly like most of my hostels...). The room was immaculate.

I left my laptop online for the entire stay. The bath had two shower heads, and I must have soaked myself for an hour.

I picked up some food and a six-pack and settled into my new cozy bed to watch the Super Bowl. What an outstanding game! Then, I watched American satellite TV until eventually dozing off. Ten hours later I awoke from my coma, just in time for the exquisite breakfast buffet. I must have eaten 7 plates worth of food, everything from fresh fruit, to humitas (banana-leaf wrapped corn-meal, bacon, and veggies), to an omelette, and so on. They had Monday´s Miami Herald which I indulged in. So good to read an American paper! I took a lovely hot shower, not knowing when the next one might be, and even used the blow dryer (I haven´t used a blow-dryer in 15 years, but the point was that I could).

Check-out was at 1 p.m. and I did not leave until 12:59, being sure to get every ounce of luxury (including stealing all of the extra soap, shampoo, coffee, shower cap, and shoe shine kit).

I then proceeded to walk to the bus terminal, feeling very much refreshed.

I really started to enjoy Quito in the 2 hours it took to get there. The path took me through all of New Town and Old Town. The architecture was staggering and classically beautiful.

I caught the next regular bus to Otavalo, ready for the next step.
Love
Kent