Greetings from Ecuador.

Last night after tea we spent about an hour in the hostal reception with my "admirer". His name is Bert (its not but I cant pronounce it!) and he about 50. He is very harmless. Last night I showed him and another security bloke pictures of my family. They said I looked a bit younger than Hannah, but they said mum and dad were older than they are. My poor dad got the worst of it after the security man asked if he drank whisky and smoked. They wondered what was going on with Harriet in her "Anna Nicole" pose. (Tounge pierced, bright red lipstick, big shades, sticking the tongue and chest out!)

I have attracted what seems to be alot of attention as my hair has gone a blondey colour, I am alot taller than every other south american in the world (they are midgets and make me feel like the BFG!) also I seem to be a bit top heavy here compared to the female midgets! Everyone assumes we are from America and I cant seem to say it quick enough that we are from England and do not have a dictator as prime minister. They are very against America here and I dont blame them, Americans are very rude and they constantly complain here about the lack of serice etc etc.... They are loud and the ones from New York stick out the most. They will try and tell you that the world is square and they love to get into an argument more than anything! I have learnt to baffle them with English words like "christmas crackers" and "prang". Then they just have this demented confused look on their faces!

Off to the school tomorrow and I think it will be a bit of an experience! Trying to telephone and speak to the school earlier was a bit of a nightmare!

Today we went to El Pancillo and it was nice looking at the views over Quito. (The Panacillo is that statue on top of the hill in my previous picures of Quito!). On the way down I was holding on to Kerry becuase there were dogs everywhere. She looked behind us right as a big alsation dog basically killed a little black dog, the noise was horrendous and Kerry cried. All of the animals here are not mistreated but it is very different from home where we have vets in every town. The people here could not afford a vet even if they really wanted one! (Very disturbing and different!).

We then went into the old part of Quito, I tried to buy about 15 dollars worth of stuff and this haggard old b**** in the supermarket told me my money was fake. It was brand new out of my bag- she refused to take it. It turns out it is real (I knew Marks and Spencers would not con me!) and she just didnt have enough change for a $20. I think I might have swore and then left all my items on the counter. The snotty underpaid cow will have to put it back on the shelves herself. Huh! (Can you tell how angry I was?????)

The taxis were full so when we saw one empty Kerry asked the driver if he could take us where we wanted and how much it would cost. As she was speaking he drove off - If looks could kill, Kerry would have put that man 50ft underground! (It was very funny!). We managed to get a taxi back to the Mariscal Sucre (which is the gringo part of town where we are staying - famous for muggings!).

We went for a walk along Avenue Amazonas, it was busy and dodgy as usual. Then ended up at the hostal again and watched "Fifth Element". Good film.

Funny things I have seen in Ecuador! (Quite rude, if easily offended, look away instead of moaning!)

1: The Hilton hotel here is called the "COLON"

2: The main manufacturers of fridge are called "DUREX"

3: On the bus back from Otavello, they had an advert for a tour. It wanted tourists to ride on the Peñas! (I think this was the name of some kind of bus!)

Anyway, yesterday I was a little homesick as I did not feel very well however I have improved 100% today!

Buenos Noches! Until tomorrow Amigos!