I have officially finished my spanish classes and had my last meal with the family today at lunch. This afternoon I got a taxi into Quito and joined my tour for the Galapagos. We had a meeting to go over the next week and I found out that our boat has been changed from a 'tourist superior' to luxurious catamaran. Apparently the boat that Intrepid used to use sunk in July and they now use the Archipel. Good for me. After our meeting we headed into the old city and the tour leader gave us some history on Quito and we visited some of the churches. Had an early dinner and now back at the hotel. I fly to the Galapagos tomorrow and have 7 nights there.

On Tuesday, I visited the Museo Guayasamin & The Capilla del Hombre. Guayasamin is a very famous Ecuadorian painter and The Capilla del Hombre was amazing. It is Guayasamin's tribute to the suffering of Latin America's indigenous poor and for hope. You get a guided tour and it was interesting to see what the different paintings were about. He died before it was finished but his family continued his work. His museo has all the different artworks he collected over the years and also his own work.

Wednesday I had my class in the morning and then went grocery shopping as I was cooking for the family again, this time Pasta Tuna Bake and Bread and Butter pudding. Again no one was poisoned.

Thursday, Marianna, Dasha and I had a day trip to Termas de Papallacta, the most amazing natural thermal hot springs. Was about a 2hr bus trip there but so worth it. We spent about 3.5hrs in the water. Could have stayed there all day. It was cold and drizzly but in the water, who cares. Different pools have different temperatures and we worked our way to the hottest. Hit the 'agua fria' - cold water - a couple of times. The first time I jumped in and I came up spluttering 'Oh my god, shi....., oh my god, get me out of here'. I couldn't get to the hot water fast enough. I will definitely be back. Afterwards we stopped at one of the little cafes outside of the premises for lunch (you can see the photo of the trout we ate for $3.50).

Friday wasn't the best day for me. I found out bad news about a friend in the morning and wasn't really in the mood for a class in the afternoon so Marianna and I just walked and talked. That morning I had gotten the bus to Quito and was able to speak to the lady next to me for about 20min so I was pretty happy with that. It's nice to know I can communicate. That night, Marianna, Marie Jose, Dasha and I went into Quito to see some traditional dancing and music which is free each Friday night. Beautiful costumes and dances. Will hopefully add a video or two when I get back from the Islands. Afterwards, we wandered around the old city which is beautiful all lit up and hit Calle Ronda, a street that is popular in the night. We had a traditional drink Colada Morado and bread which I can't remember the name of before heading home.

Yesterday, Dasha and I headed into Quito and just wandered and I survived my first 'mugging'. We were walking along the street and I had my sunglassses on the top of my head. We had just come out of some markets and I hadn't put them down when I felt a hand on my head from behind. Some guy grabbed them and ran, but also scratched my forehead a little. Oh well, they weren't that expensive and pretty scratched anyway. I bought a new pair for $5. We wandered thru some markets and then hit the old city. We did a tour of the Palacio del Gobierno (Presidential Palace). Couldn't really understand the tour, too fast for me but we got to see some rooms and some of the many gifts given to Ecuador by different countries.

We met two people who we started chatting with and ended up having a hot chocolate with them. She was from Ecuador, he was from India but they worked for the same company. She wanted to practice her English, I wanted to practice my Spanish so it was Spanglish...

So, that's it for now. It was sad to say goodbye to the family, I've learnt so much more than I thought but I'm looking forward to more adventures and I will be back to see the family before I leave Quito for good.

Until next time, take care