- IMG 2882
The usual suspects: Pip (the gray hippo-marble) and Mr. Frogman (holding open the computer) take their customary positions on the dash as we head out of Austin. - IMG 2846 002
Old Town. We are staying in new town, so we decided to visit some of the old buildings and churches and stuff, which I actually find to be pretty outrageously boring. - IMG 2851 003
Mitad del Mundo. A monument erected on the equator, which is about 30km north of Quito. Quite impressive, even though it's about 100m off the actual mark, which they discovered only six years ago using GPS and GIS. Oops! - IMG 2813
Flight the first: from Austin to Dallas at about 2pm on the fifth (duration: 35min). - P6110007
We visited Parque Carolina, a huge park in the middle of Quito, which was quite nice, though mostly bereft of people. - IMG 2883
Ears are weird. Bet you can't stuff yours into itself. - P6120019
This as a picture of Pablo Castro, our excellent Spanish teacher with whom we had daily 4-hour lessons in the first floor of the Panchos' residence, which serves as a German language school in the afternoon. - IMG 2852 003
IMG_2852.jpg - IMG 2871
Gerber daisies in buckets getting ready to be shipped out, with netting around the blooms to protect them. - IMG 2856 002
Here is a veiw over a large part of the farm, which mostly grows one kind of flower, Liatris, which have long spikes which eventually bloom into purple flowers. - IMG 2814
Flight the second: Dallas to Miami, at about 3pm (duration: 3hr 20min). - IMG 2827
This is our hostel in the middle of Quito. It´s quite well-appointed, with hot water (in a shared bathroom), telephone (shared), access to a kitchen and laundry facilities, and two comfy beds for $5/night each. - IMG 2833
We made a picnic in the foothills of the Andes with Hugo, his wife Rita, their daughter Ana, and a visiting friend Frank. It was quite beautiful. - P6140028
On the next weekend (Bryan's last), Adrean took us out to his flower farm (if US customs asks, I was never on any farm), and that of his brother. We brought along his two children, Renata (3) and Adrean (5). - IMG 2835
IMG_2835 - IMG 2869
All of the unused plant matter is composted and used as fertilizer - IMG 2874
At his brother's farm, another kind of flower called "Million Stars." You can see why. - IMG 2857 001
IMG_2857.jpg - IMG 2826
The view of Quito from Adrián´s apartment, taken the morning after we arrived. - IMG 2868
IMG_2868 - IMG 2834
IMG_2834 - IMG 2867
While not a rose, this thornless flower is also grown and comes in colors you just can't get roses. - IMG 2863 001
IMG_2863.jpg - IMG 2873
IMG_2873 - IMG 2861 001
In addition to Liatris, he also grows Gerber daisies, which he has in some incredible colors. The pictures really don't do them justice. - IMG 2870
IMG_2870 - IMG 2844
The friendly proprietor of our hostel, Don Rueben, a retired civil engineer. - IMG 2817
No, really. This is a different flight. This one left from Miami going to Santiago, Chile at about 10pm on the fifth. On the flight dinner and breakfast were served, and we each got our own personal eye covers to sleep. (duration: 7hrs). - IMG 2853 003
IMG_2853.jpg - IMG 2866
IMG_2866