I deliberately organised to fly into Quito a couple of days prior to the start of the tour, in order to acclimatise, but also so as to ensure that I gave myself time to organise all of my gear, put my bike together and so on!
On reflection, I wish I had flown in a little earlier again, so as to either take a trip out to the Galapagos Islands or to spend some time doing a Spanish language course. I believe that some of my colleagues have done the latter and I suspect that's going to stand them in good stead as we head down the road.
It is at times like this when I'm really envious of anyone who speaks more than one language.
Being an Australian, there's not much need to know anything other than the business language of the world, no land borders with countries where another language is spoken nor such a large influx of international immigrates (It was slightly different in the 50/60s when a large number of migrants came from Italy and Greece in particular looking to start a new life) but not these days.
Might just have to put - Learn another language on my "To do list"!
Anyhow, getting back on topic - I'm glad I've arrived early cause hopefully it will give me a bit of an opportunity to take it easy, get a bit of bed rest and finally get over the cold I've had which has been hanging around like a bad smell for almost the last month now!
My first impressions of Quito is that it's an interesting city and one I'm looking forward to being able to explore, initially on foot and hopefully in the next day or so with a couple of people from the group on our bikes or otherwise!
There is supposedly a Quito "Old City" and a new more modern one, but I've got to say after a day of wandering around, often hopelessly lost, I've yet to distinguish between the two! What I can tell you though, is that it's not particularly flat around here.
One way or another, I seem to have wandered up hill and down dale! The up hill bits have involved a bit of swearing and cursing, or it would have done had I been able to breath properly. Obviously I'm still in the process of acclimatising, to say nothing of the fact, that I managed to get myself a little sunburnt! Definitely popping a bit of sun screen on tomorrow!
My first impressions of Quito is that it's an interesting city and one I'm looking forward to being able to explore, initially on foot and hopefully in the next day or so with a couple of people from the group on our bikes or otherwise!
There is supposedly a Quito "Old City" and a new more modern one, but I've got to say after a day of wandering around, often hopelessly lost, I've yet to distinguish between the two! What I can tell you though, is that it's not particularly flat around here.
One way or another, I seem to have wandered up hill and down dale! The up hill bits have involved a bit of swearing and cursing, or it would have done had I been able to breath properly. Obviously I'm still in the process of acclimatising, to say nothing of the fact, that I managed to get myself a little sunburnt! Definitely popping a bit of sun screen on tomorrow!
Swearing and sunburn. Sounds like you are on holidays. Add hills, and it must be a cycling holiday. But what goes up, must come down - eventually.
ReplyDeleteAh yes and we all know how I come down hills.
ReplyDeleteSlowly, carefully and with both hands on the brakes (well it is these days at least)!
Good luck on your journey! It's going to be the trip of a lifetime!
ReplyDelete