Panama City, Panama to Quito, Ecuador, 2 hr plane ride

We made it to South America, as soon as we landed we felt like we were in a different place. The importation officer was falling asleep while typing in our passport information and as soon as we stepped outside, giant pieces of hail were hitting the ground. I guess I shouldn’t have worn a tank top from Panama!

We woke up anxious to leave our hotel room and head out for new destinations. After a 20 minute cab ride we were at the airport, checked our bag, waiting in the comfortable airport seating and before we knew it we had taken off for Ecuador. What a difference in treatment that we got at the airport vs. all the other BS we have to deal with at every other country crossing…it was a nice and refreshing break. I have to admit it made me crave more ‘comforts’ that can come along with traveling.

We arrived and while passing through immigration, the officer who was entering our passport information literally was falling asleep. At first when I noticed, mid-word ‘Torni’, that she had stopped typing and her eyes looked quite closed, I told myself that was the most absurd thing and couldn’t be possible…sure enough, she woke up, finished typing a word…and half way through the form fell back asleep. This time I gestured to Mike that this woman was sleeping…he didn’t believe me, but since she gave us to many instances, he was able to witness at least 2; unbelievable. How is that possible and welcome to Ecuador!

We happened to be on the same flight as Gunther who had shipped his bike with us to Quito as well. We figured that it would be easy to find the Girag cargo center, but after many inquiries, looking for any type of address or phone number on the receipt, we realized we had no information and nobody had ever heard of Girag. Fortunately both of us had some information saved on our laptops which might include a name, phone number or some clue as to where are bikes were. We managed to find a phone number and got a hold of someone who told us that our bike hadn’t even shipped yet, even though they had told us the day before that it would be shipping that day. I guess we should have expected a situation like this as nothing here ever seems to go as planned or stated, even when you are paying good money! They told us that our bikes would be ready for pick up tomorrow morning. The only thing we could do then was find a hotel room and look up Keith and Gloria.

After a quick email and chat with Keith, Gloria and him picked us and Gunther up at our hotel room. What a treat! It was so nice to be with someone that knew the city so well and had an agenda for the night for us. I think it was especially for Mike as he is always the one having to determine where we will stay, where is safe, where we shouldn’t go, etc. Gloria drove us to what they call ‘Gringoland’ which is in the downtown area with what seemed to be a lot of trendy little bars and restaurants. It’s supposed to be the safer area so a lot of people go out there. We went to a little restaurant/bar and had some yummy food and enjoyed their live salsa band leading into the night. Even though I had heard great things about Gloria, it was so nice to meet her and I only think greater of her now in person. She is a complete sweetheart and it seems that both of them couldn’t be happier. It was great to see Keith too; a familiar face. It made our time between Baja and now seems so much shorter…as if we had just left him a few days ago… Along with great company, it was sure nice to speak English to someone other than Mike – it’s been a while! Poor Mike, I must talk his ear off just to give my fill of talking in the day…

Our hotel room tonight, although $35 dollars, is clean, cool, has good quality sheets and smells fresh…such a nice treat. I think it is mandatory to stay in a decent place now and again just for our sanity.

Tomorrow morning Mike and Gunther will set off to find their bikes, we are all crossing our fingers that we get them, as well as no damage. If Mike is successfully in retrieving the bike early enough then he is planning on starting the maintenance (put new tires on, new chain and possibly new sprockets – all which Keith kindly brought out to us). Even if we get the bike stuff squared away tomorrow, we still are planning to stay another couple of nights just to enjoy Quito in the company of Keith and Gloria. Adam? We expected to see him last night…but haven’t heard from him in a couple of days so our guess is he is still on the road.

Keith and Gloria

It's nice to be with friends...

Mike's 'Te' which makes him better

Out on the town!

Interesting brand of Te