Hello everyone,

Well, we are here in Quito Equador and we love it. Such an amazing city, really vibrant and colourful (not to mention the great food) nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains and a volcano (cotopaxi). Been here a couple of days, just taking in the sites and sounds before we depart to the Galapogos Islands, we are sooooooo excited!!

We have been staying in a really cute guest house called La Casa Sol (check out their website) its in the commercial centre (Meriscal Sucre) and its where all the local students hang out. We read that its the most dangerous place in Quito (muggings, drugs, etc), but we have experienced nothing but friendly people and more importantly great places to eat, soph is chatting to everyone in the street, her spanish is brilliant and we would be lost without it!!

We had our first taste of the national dish, Ginuea pig the other night. The best way to describe it is a mix between chicken and rabbit. Soph wasnt overly impressed, especially as the little guys legs and claws were still spread out all over the place, I loved it though!!

We took a stroll through a couple of lovely pàrks into the old town, which is full of wonderful churches, museums and little alley way streets. We ended up in La Plaza Grande and just people watched (love doing that). Then as the day began to end we decided to head back to the guest house. It was at this point that we realised we were a bit lost and couldnt work out which way took us back home!!! We started to walk down the main road, and found one of the lovely little parks we had walked through, only now it was full of dodgy looking people and there was no way we were going to chance it. Instead we ended up walking down the main road, through some seriously rough residential areas and I dont mind telling you that i was cacking meself (soph was fine by the way and took it all in her stride). Realising we had a good 30 min walk, i suggested a cab, problem was we had spent all the money we had on us......rookie mistake!!! Needless to say we arrived back at the guest house without any problems, but that was an experience I do not want to repeat (although I have no doubt we probably will!!)

today, is really sunny and hot, hot, hot!! Because of the location you really dont know what the weather will be and we have to be prepared to be subjected to all the seasons!! Especially this afternoon as we are heading off up a 4000m peak called Ruccupichimcha!!

Just incase anyone is wondering (and Im sure you are) i am feeling much better today. The sun stoke appears to have abated, however my stomach bug remains (nothing that a good dose of immodium wont sort out). The only problem was that just as my head stopped spinning from too much sun did it start again as I tripped up and banged my head whilst entering an internet cafe!! Dont worry, my pride was hurt more than anything, but now i have a bruise over my right eye and top of my nose!! So as you can imagine Im looking a picture of health!! Dont worry mom and dad, soph is taking care of me and making sure that nothing else happens as 5 minutes after banging my head i tripped on a paving stone and nearly went arse over tit again!! soph was there to stop the fall. I blame the concussion for that one!!

Well thats about it for now folks, just one thing Dad I keep getting failed messages for your email, not sure why as i am only replying to the message i received from you. can you let me know if you are getting my replys? Also can you ask dave to email me too as i dont have his address and he hasnt written just yet. Also parky if you are reading these journals can you pass the details on to sheela as i dont think she has them!!

Right then guys, hope all is well. Please keep the emails and messages coming we love reading them!! Just to let you all know it may be a while before we can update again as we will be in the galapagos and then the rain forest (oooooooh fancy that!!!)

tata for now

hugs and kisses

andy and soph