This hotel is very modern with all the conveniences you would expect in an upscale US hotel. Pat says it is rated 5 stars. All the hotels we have stayed at have gone to the soap, shampoo and conditioner containers as they have at hotels in the US. Although I prefer a bar of soap, the container approach saves countless little shampoo bottles and partially used soap bars. Many of the hotels, including this one, have stations to fill water bottles, another way to cut down on waste.

We slept soundly last night and are both feeling much better this morning, although I am not quite done with my cold and stuffiness, but no headache anymore. I know Pat is feeling better because she wanted to go to breakfast before I did. This is a rare occurrence. Pat is enjoying watching the Tour De France and switching to the Wilbeldon semi-finals. It looks to be a relaxing day.

I like to walk. The main reason I didn’t want to leave Quito center is that there is much to see in to see in the neighborhoods nearby. Here, there was only one place to go: el aeropuerto! I have never just walked into an airport before. I wasn’t sure I could do it. I suppose one could walk into SFO or any other US airport, but it never occurred to me to even try. The modern airports are set up for large scale people moving: buses, rail, etc. I don’t imagine that most airports are pedestrian friendly. But, heck, I walked right in.

The path skirted the parking lot entrance and the control tower.

Shortly after that, I had arrived!

The airport is clean and modern. It opened in February of 2013. It is easy to navigate (even for a pedestrian) and has all the shops, food court, banks and other services expected in a modern airport. It’s quite an experience to wander around an airport completely carefree. I had no concerns about flight times, gates, luggage tags, security and all the lovely details that raise anxiety levels for travelers.

Including artwork depicting local color.

The food court is spacious and clean. Since I just had breakfast with ravenous Pat, I didn’t partake.

The plight of the cabbie is the same everywhere.

We hadn’t noticed this little gem maybe because of clouds or we just didn’t look in the right direction. This is Cotapaxi, an active volcano soaring to 19,000 feet. It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.

And just as I was crawling my way up the hotel walkway I spotted this hummingbird on a lavender bush. I know it is not a great shot, but the bird is nearly entirely luminescent and about 3 times the size of hummingbirds at home.

You can see the wings on this shot.

You want excitement? We got excitement! This afternoon Pat accompanied me on a return walk to the airport! Wow!

While there she found a t-shirt for one of the grandkids. At the airport?!?! This is the most expensive place to buy anything. Contining her frugal ways, she purchased the shirt.

A couple of new discoveries:

Our guide, Ana, had advised us that this was the least expensive bank in the area. She said they only charged $1.50 per transaction; she was wrong, the charge was $1.52. We accepted. You may recall that Guayaquil is the port city where the television station was overrun.

And in a Catholic country, every airport needs a little chapel (crews were working nearby, hence the cone).

Finally, I know, this much come as a relief to gentle readers, Pat had a massage yesterday. Since then she hounded me, she is a persistent hounder, for me to get a massage, too. I picture a nip here, a jab there until finally the fatigued beast (me, in this case) succumbs. I had a massage this afternoon. It was wonderful and I took another nap afterwards.

Manana: a return to Quito center for a few days. We will rejoin our group before heading to the Galapagos.