I got to the frontera/border crossing and went straight to the Ecuador line not seeing the Colombian line (which I needed to get an exit stamp for). I waiting in the line and got up and the guy told me I needed to get my exit stamp so I went accross to the Colombian line and got it quickly and thankfully didn't have to wait in line again for Ecuador. There was a whole separate line for Venezuelans and Jeff had warned me that it could take hours but thankfully it only took me like 45 minutes. I then got a taxi to Tulcan to go to Quito. Thankfully go to the bus terminal right on time becuase the bus was leaving. I quickly grabbed a seat next to these guys who were in a group (not sure where from) but definitely somehwere in South America, wearing leather jackets and realizing later that they were in a band because at every check point the police wanted to check their instruments. It was a dirty bus and we stopped so many freaking times, it took 7 hours to get to Quito. I was not feeling great because it was another curvy drive and I think the altitude is definitely hitting me along with the travel in general. I got to Quito and had to get another taxi to Old town and the driver tried to charge me $15 but I knew that was wrong and gave him $10. Thankfully Ecuador uses dollars so don't have to deal with exchange until Peru. Went to dinner at this rooftop restuarant in the middle of Plaza Grande (5 mins from my hostel) got the traditional "fritada criolla" and walked around a bit and did some research and went to bed.

The next morning I got up for the 10am free city walking tour but apparently there was a different meeting point at 10:30am so I talked with the receptionist to get some pointers on Quilotoa and then made my way to the plaza. I couldn't find the banner or anyone dressed in a tour guide-like outfit so I asked around and had no luck. I asked the tour info center and they also couldn't help so I ended up booking another city bus tour for $15 and it was totally worth it because I could hop on and off and it took me all around Quito which is a lot bigger than expected, but it is the capital so makes sense. I went to all the landmarks and viewpoints and even got lunch at this place and tried cow's tongue! I had had it before and definitely don't love it but thought I should take advantage of the "traditional" meals and definitely wasn't going to try guinea pig. I then took an Uber to the teleferico (cable car) and it was a lot higher than I thought! I met this Swiss guy who was traveling solo as well and then walked around at the top and definitely became out of breath for some of it because it was 4000 meters above sea level. The views were breathtaking and I ended up meeting this girl from Philly because my phone had died and I asked if she would take a picture and ended up spending the rest of the day with her. She's doing a few weeks of med school and she was with 3 others as well (2 of them still in college doing internships and the other guy from Sweeden who was in Quito taking Spanish lessons). Very sweet group who I had a nice time with. On the cable car ride down there was a guy from Chevy Chase who said he was from DC and definiely some type of big hiker because he was only in Ecuador for a week and went to the tallest volcano in Ecuador, Chimborazo. Anyways, we all went and got dinner afterwards and then walked around La Rhonda street which was poppin for a Friday night and got boiled wine which was delicious! Went to bed and woke up to go get some warm clothes at the Artensan Market. I ended up getting a sweater, scarf, hat, belt and socks for like $30! I used my great bargaining skills :) and then got an Uber back to head to Quilotoa Lake!