Sunday, September 26, 2010

I took my first run at an elevation of over 8,000 feet this morning, and it wasn’t too bad! I only lasted about 30 minutes, but that could have been because I covered all of Parque El Ejido and didn’t know where else to go. It was a beautiful sunny morning, made even more exciting because Avenida Amazonas, the main street that my hotel is located on, was completely closed to cars from 8am-4pm for a “Ciclopaseo”. I had read about them online before coming, and it is really quite a thing to see! After breakfast I spent some time relaxing in the sun, reading, crocheting, and watching the bikes go by. It was so neat to see people of all ages riding bikes and I can’t wait to participate someday!

After returning to the hotel briefly, I walked to Parque El Ejido for a picnic and to watch Quiteño families enjoying their weekend. I hopped across the street to a Parque El Arblito, which had some massive palm trees. There were also a few large pieces of art, and a traditionally Ecuadorean dance performance going on. Within the grounds of Parque El Arbolito is the Casa de Cultura, which is a shiny glass building that holds a theater and the Museo del Banco Central, my next destination. Upon entering, I was told that 3 of the 5 exhibit rooms were under construction, so I was only able to view the Archeology room and the Colonial Room. I still learned plenty about the history of Ecuador, and it amazed me how many tribes once existed before the Incas consolidated everyone. The pottery and clay figures that are still in one piece from the times before colonization were the most astonishing.

After about an hour and a half in the museum I found more art outside in some Gaudi-like sculpted sofas and other yard decoration. I enjoyed the last rays of the sun for the day at about 3pm, and soon afterwards it started to rain. I didn’t let this deter me from exploring more of the east side of the Mariscal. I ventured into the La Floresta neighborhood, which was the first residential community that I’d walked through and it looked very cozy!

I made my way back to the hotel and as soon as I got up the first flight of stairs, I heard the roar of a heavy rainstorm. I had made it inside just in time to not get soaked!

There are very few restaurants open on Sunday night, so I gave in and settled for a touristy place called “The Magic Bean”. It ended up working out very well, because just after sitting down at a table by myself, another solo traveler invited me to join her table. We had a very enjoyable meal and talked about our travel plans in Ecuador, as well as other places we’d been to. She had traveled or lived in Europe, US, Africa, Central America, and now she’s touring South America and learning her 4^th language, Spanish! Before leaving, I wished her luck on her 9-hour bus ride into the Amazon Rainforest, where she was headed later that night!