We Travel World

Early start today as we flew to Cuenca. Caught a plane at 7.30 in the morning from Quito airport which resembles a bus station in terms of chaos. Plane boarded late from the wrong gate with no-one informing anybody what was going on but we did get off the ground in the end. A bit cloudy so unfortunately we didnt get great views of the volcanoes.

Cuenca is Ecuadors third city but a lot smaller than Quito. Walking around made us realise just how threatening Quito feels as Cuenca feels completely safe. Far fewer police on the streets which in itself makes you feel safer. It also has lots of cafes and restaurants which Quito doesnt although the coffee is still disgusting. We had the worst cappucino ever in a heladoria (ice-cream shop). The coffee is so bad that the best weve had so far in Ecuador is nescafe. The tea is usually worse although our new hotel managed the first decent cup weve had – they actually used boiling water to make it. The new hotel is again in an old building in the historic district of Cuenca based around a courtyard. If I hadnt left the memory card reader in Quito I would add some photos but I did so you will have to wait to see how nice it looks.

Apparently, the indigenous population here are mestizo more than pure and as a result dont get upset (as much as in Quito) if you take their picture. However, they look similar and dress the same. One difference here is that in Quito the native women carry fruit around in wicker baskets to sell. Here they push wheelbarrows loaded up with fruit of one kind to sell. Also, the poverty seems worse here because it is contrasted against nice shops and restaurants. Many small children (boys and girls about 6 or 7) are working as shoe shiners. Also, in the main square a lot of presumably homeless people sleep upright on the benches. The police go round periodically and wake them up although at least they dont move them on which would probably be the case in Britain.

Tonight were off to a restaurant in the main square which looks nice and reasonably cheap. Good to have a choice for once. We also found our first vegetarian restaurant but well probably have lunch there on Sunday as it is a bit of a walk for this evening. We dont seem to be suffering too much from the altitude but we are very tired all the time nonethless. Anyway, another long walk after walking around for much of the day would be too much.

Tomorrow were off for a trip in the countryside and weve been promised that well see some guinea pigs. Hopefully, we dont have to choose which one goes in the oven!