|
The Beginning - off to Ecuador:
On 21 April 2003 Sue and I flew to Quito Ecuador. In addition to
being tourists our plans included a visit with the two foreign exchange
students we hosted, Graciela and Maritza, and to visit the
boy we sponsor (Edwin) through Children International. It was also the
university graduation for Graciela and we were going to attend the ceremonies
with Graciela and her family.
We had a flight
on Continental Airlines from Kansas City to Houston that connected with
a 5:30 p.m. flight directly to Quito. It was an easy 4.5 hour flight there
and we didn't have to change any time zones!
We arrived at 10:30 p.m. and after about an hour of waiting in
line we cleared customs picked up our luggage and headed for another
line. This one was a security check to ensure we had the correct luggage. Once
past that we encountered a mob of people outside the secure area waiting
for passengers. There in the crowd was Graciela and off to the side was Maritza.
Many hugs and kisses later we loaded our luggage into Graciela's father's
car. We said goodbye to Maritza and got her phone number for contacting her
later in the week. Then we had our first experience with driving here. There
was only one gate to exit the parking lot and at least 7 cars and trucks queuing up
from several directions trying to get out. It basically became sort of a
pushing match without actually pushing or cars touching. You honked the horn and
moved forward. If the other driver yielded you got through, if not you tried
again!
After a 15 minute or so drive we arrived at the Donoso family home.
It was typical of the houses in this part of central Quito in that there was a large
security wall around the house.
The front yard was beautiful with a variety of trees and cactus.
Entrance was by garage door opener or
by ringing the bell at the gate on the sidewalk. There was an intercom system
so someone in the house could ask who was there and then unlock the gate.
Because of earthquakes the house, like others, was almost entirely
concrete - walls, floors, ceilings, stairs, all were of concrete.
The view from the front of the house was to the west toward part of the
volcano Pinchincha. The city of Quito is spread north and south along
the many valleys that are in the shadow of this large mountain.
^ back to top ^
|
