Arrival in Ecuador,

now I'm here and it's just so beautiful and so cool here, the landing was great @ natascha, I took some photos and I really thought the plane would take off all the roofs of the houses but it was an experience.

@ mary and christian: iberia were perfect, perfect service, perfect food.. very pleasant so maybe they changed since you last flew with them..

anyway what can i say? yesterday myself and Silke, a belgian girl went to the equator, unbelievable how it does influence your body and strength.. the bus journey up to the equator (mitad del mundo) was an experience as well, just as i imagined south america to be like. i even got a stamp in my passport at mitad del mundo, cool eh?

i was also at 2 beautiful parks here in quito, el ejido and el alameda and the weather was just fantastic, i managed, on my very first day, to get a slight sun burn!!!! how stupid am i? i put sunscreen on my face but forgot about my arms and i totally underestimated the sun at this height. no altitude sickness though!!!

today i had my first spanish lesson, on my own which is brilliant as i think i'll learn a lot and afterwards i was picked up by mariana, my host mum. she's brilliant, never shuts up and i really friendly, she welcomed me with a big hug and called herself my mum for the next 4 weeks.. really really nice so all in all i can say i'm soooooooooo happy to be here, ecuador is such a beautiful country and i can't wait to see it all.

at the weekend we're going on a tour up the cotopaxi, one of the many volcanos around here, at 5000 meter!!!!! i'm sure it'll be brilliant.

right i have to go, there's a welcome cocktail waiting for me but i'll be back tomorrow!!!

hope you guys back home are all well, muchos saludos desde el ecuador!!!!!!!!! barbara