Mar 8 - more Quito and home

It was my turn -- sick to my stomach overnight but that was it, once only and I've been fine since. 

Mass was nearby, a five minute walk.  We all had breakfast and then headed into "old town" Quito via the tram.  We climbed the steeple of the basilica -- amazing for Sandy with open cage stairs -- but she can be determined.  The place was hopping; Sunday in old town seems like family day - busy, busy, busy ! 

Speaking of family day, we were really confused taking the tram until it finally clicked that this was international women's day and there was no charge for Lorraine, Kim or Sandy.  25 Cents for Jason and me.  What a deal !

I'll post pictures later.

We had lunch and headed back to the hostel; relaxed for 1/2 hour and headed to the airport.  We had a drink at TGI Friday's at the arrivals level then went to our gate; Jason waited until later to head to their gate since they were flying one hour later. 

Everything went like clockwork until Miami.  It took 1 hour 40 minutes for our luggage to come out, counting from touchdown.  Fun.  Apparently something was broken.  Luggage arrived in batches with 15-20 minutes between batch.  Fun.

Even the chair made it through.  More on THAT later !

Home at 11, it was time for a snooze.  We did stop at an IHOP along the way for some breakfast. Oh yes, I had a salad ... was dying for a salad ... no fresh veggies for the entire trip.

I mentioned TGI Friday's earlier.  The US chain that has really caught on, I guess due to the culture, is KFC.  They eat a lot of chicken anyway, and KFC is everywhere.  There's some distance between KFC and Burger King.  I don't recall even seeing a McD's, but there must have been some ... ??

Smoking -- almost none, surprisingly.  Now if you think of the fact that Quito is at 9000'+, perhaps that's not so surprising ?  There's enough of the country at sea level that elevation isn't the reason.  Perhaps they're just smart !

In spite of the fact that lanes are simply suggestions, traffic was orderly; people are polite.

All in all a very interesting trip.  We always have a good time with Jason & Lorraine.  Sandy suddenly realized that she's interested in seeing more of South America, which was furthest from her mind before.  I'm not sure if I can live that long without fresh veggies !

Onward !