Sangolqui (Ecuador)

On sunday we landed in the MIDDLE of Quito (literally, as thats where the airport is), swerving a couple of mountains and a great storm on the way in. The passengers all gave a huge round of applause on the landing, I´m not sure what the success rate is in Ecuador. Rodrigues and his whole family fetched us, and took us to his hostel in Sangolqui, which is 30 minutes south of Quito. He asked what we knew of Ecuador and one of the things we said was chocolate, so he stopped at a shop to buy us one. He´d heard about South Africa because of the football world cup, but was confused as he thought there were no white south africans.

It´s rained and been overcast quite a bit since we arrived, obscuring our view of the mountains that apparently surround the town. The hostel is another win, there are only 4 of us, food is good, rooms are clean - hope things carry on like this. It is right on the main square with the church bell going off every quarter hour, and this morning a singing church procession at 5:30. The other couple (english, on a gap year after their retirement) staying at our hostel are the only other tourists (gringo´s) in Sangolqui.

Today we started our spanish course with Lorgio (Law-ggio). Four hours of concentrating and quite a bit of laughing. Jackie had an issue with asking ´what is your age (años - pronounced anios)´, and instead kept on asking Lorgio about his anus (anos). We are starting our volunteering tomorrow at a church that feeds poor kids in the community.