Another country, another stamp in the passport.

I had a day in San Jose which was pretty quiet. Bought some souvenirs, visited the post office, visited the National Theatre which luckily for me was free to visit instead of $5.00. The interior has been based on theatres in Paris so lots of gold and statues. Packed my bags once again and used the internet to upload some more photos from my trip in Costa Rica. Was also able to use Skype to call Dad to wish him a Happy 60th which was nice.

Up early Sunday morning to get a taxi out to the airport. Even he tried to get more money. Everyone knows the official rate is about $22 and he tried to get $25. Urgh. Paid my departure tax of $26 (many airports here have a departure tax - easy money I guess) and checked in. Was told because I had bought an expensive ticket (thanks for letting me know that) they had upgraded me to 1st class on the Panama to Quito leg of the journey since they had space - would have preferred to not have bought an expensive ticket but that´s life.

San Jose to Panama took 55mins (not like my original arrival) and then Panama to Quito about 2 hrs. It was nice to have the extra space and was served a lovely lunch of quiche and salad with chocolate chip cookies.

I was met at the airport by Victor, a friend of my Spanish teacher who took me to my new home for the next 4 weeks. I was met by Mariana and her two children Jon Pierre and Marie Jose. I have my own room and bathroom upstairs and a lovely view of the surrounding countryside and hills and of the snow capped Mt Cotapaxi. The home is about 20mins away from Quito central. We had some lunch and then played some cards before Frank, Mariana's husband come home.

Frank does most of the cooking and is great at it. The whole family is very friendly and very patient. Sunday evening, an ex student of Mariana's came to stay the night. It was Sammy's last night before she flew home.

Monday morning I had my first official spanish lesson. Have class from 8.30am - 12.30pm each day Monday - Friday. Of course, it is constant spanish in the house aswell but I will slowly learn. We had a BBQ for lunch and then in the afternoon, Marie Jose, Sammy and I got the bus into Quito and Marie Jose showed me around the Colonial City or old city as it is known. Very clean, old and beautiful. We caught a taxi up a big hill to the Virgin Statue which gave amazing views of the city. Quito is huge and goes right around.

Walked down all the stairs back to the city before getting the bus home. At least now I know how to get there and back. Takes about 20mins and bus cost 20c. There is a toll on the road to Quito - it cost 39c!!!!!

We had a lovely dinner of potato pancakes before Sammy got a lift with Victor to the airport. A little while later, we got a phone call from her to see if her passport was in her room. It turns out, that while she was in the city doing last minute shopping, probably while on another bus, someone cut her bag and either took her passport or it slipped out. She sorted out another flight and then returned to the house.

Today she filed a police report and was able to get an emergency passport to fly home tonight. Can't be too careful anywhere. Had my 2nd lesson today and have some homework to do tonight and some reading. Going to go for a walk as good exercise. Plenty of hills and at least I'm getting used to the higher elevation. Didn't seem to have any problems with it except for being extra tired and thirsty which was good.

Hasta Luego (see ya later)