Things to Do Before Leaving Quito

Aside from wasting my precious time commuting to the LAN office (see previous entry for details), I spent the remaining days in Quito doing what the locals (may) do.

Like chatting with my friends in London because the call center rates were so cheap! Around 10 cents a minute. That's probably close to what US pay phones charged back in my elementary school days...long ago. I don't think I've spent so much time on the phone in ages!
While there, I might as well do the inevitable - book the FINAL ticket of this journey . Sao Paolo to Tokyo. Called JAL, who put me on the waiting list for the last 3 flights before my ticket expired on the 25th of April. I wasn't too concerned about the waitlist situation, even though I'd have to pay for my own way back had it expired before I got a seat. I'm sure some seats will open up.

I also went to a couple of malls, which didn't look any different from the standard malls elsewhere. Nothing too exciting. Nothing to purchase.

But I did fork over a couple dollar bills for food at the food court and some cafes. My unique meal at KFC:

Wasn't too bad. Actually, seemed healthier than their general combo value meals.

One evening, I befriended a fellow RTW tripper named Gus while at the internet terminal at the hostel. He's only a couple of months into his trip. Lucky dude! I only have 1 month left. Sob. Sob. Sob.

Anyways, he was planning on going to a football match that night. Never really equated Ecuador with football, but hey, why not?! So I tagged along.

The ticket only cost me $10 for one of the front row seats. Once I sat down, though, I realized I could've done with cheaper seats. The stadium was SO empty!!! Apparently, one of the teams playing was pretty strong…but in the Ecuadorean sense of strong. I got the feeling that football wasn't a particularly popular or followed sports in the country. Nonetheless, it was quite entertaining to watch the mediocre game, cheered on by the few spectators. Something different from my usual boring, quiet nights.

On our way back, we hit the "hip" backpacker neighborhood to grab some dinner. Thai food. Again, something different from my usual boring, quiet, lame, cheap dinners.

Before leaving Quito, there was one last thing I wanted to check out - the teleferiqo. I know. It's a very touristy place to go, but well…let's be frank. I am a tourist : )
And, I have a thing for cable cars and going to the highest point of a building or mountain or what not.
I had planned to take public transport to the entrance, but the hostel owner just called a cab for me, saying that it's easier. Fine. It only cost me $2.15. I did, however, manage to find the bus on the way back for $1.00.
Since we're talking about prices now, the round trip cable car was $8. Expensiiiiiiive! Half price for locals. I tried to be one, but it didn't work for some reason…
The cable car ride takes you up the mountain to 4,000m! I felt it once I got off and tried to walk around. Shortness of breath. Lightheadedness. Had to take it very, very slow. I guess my tolerance for high altitudes back in Bolivia wore off after spending the past week at sea level on the Galapagos : (
Great views of downtown Quito:I spent some time up there just watching the planes come in to land and take off from the airport right in the middle of the city. Yes, I'm a nerd.