Taxis, taxis, taxis

Revelie was at 8:00 this morning, and we immediately piled into cabs for the bus station, where we took the first outbound bus to Quito. Made amazing time, got here around 11:00, and checked into our hotel, which I’d stayed in as a volunteer in the Peace Corps. Once we were ready to go to lunch, though, the students made it know they weren’t pleased with the cleanliness of the place, and so after lunch I dropped them off at the Museo del Banco Central, where we were given a guide, and Quinn and I rode out to our previous Quito hotel to see if we could arrange to stay there. We could, so tomorrow morning we’re changing hotels.

The afternoon was spent at the museum and then resting a bit at the current hotel. I had asked the students to look at 3 local newspapers for options for this evening’s entertainment, and the options were a concert at the Casa de Cultura Ecuatoriana, advertised in 2 different newspapers but completely un recognized by the staff at the CCE (same building as the Museo del Banco Central). Another option was a concert in Cumbaya, but it’s a bit of a trek for a concert that (A) might happen, (B) might be free or might cost $30, and (C) might be sold out already. No way to find out. Another option was a live performance of a play, but the play in question is 3 hours long, and that seemed a bit much. Another option was a piece of puppet theater about a famous dead Argentine tango singer and the search for an unrequited love across Buenos Aires.

Naturally, we went with the puppets. Piled into cabs to go over to the Humboldt Center, where the production took place in a tiny little basement theater. The students seemed intrigued – Tom said (in Spanish), “I wish I had been able to understand more.” I think all were sufficiently entertained and had their minds expanded even as they soaked in some Argentine Spanish and got thoroughly weirded out. All good and healthy. Cabs back to the hotel, and the evening ended.

I should also mention that we had cebiche for supper, and those of us who had it really, really liked it. I could eat that every day. Great Manabita place right up the street from us here. This tourist district is such a rabbit warren – I get turned around very easily. But we managed not to lose anyone.

Tomorrow: Tour of the USFQ, lunch in Tumbaco with my friend Melissa and her family, and the an evening concert of Ecuadorian pasillos with Melissa’s husband, Jeff, in the south of Quito, right near our old / new hotel.

G’night!