Burak, the Swiss guy I met in Cotopaxi, proposes an excursion. Half an hour away from Quito is the city halfway around the world.
The excursion organised by the hostel includes a tour of the city and transport, all for $25.
The amount seems a bit high for half an hour’s journey, so I propose that we do it ourselves. With some reluctance he accepts. Just as I hoped… I enjoy these improvised things! 😆
And here we are crossing the city, on foot, looking for a bus to take us to our destination. He follows me, he’s used to organised excursions, so he’s a bit intimidated about going into lesser-known neighbourhoods. After talking to several people, crossing small streets and squares that we would otherwise never have seen, we arrive at the bus stop. Ecuadorian buses are a little more discreet than Peruvian ones, but you can bump into impromptu concerts, which is exactly what happens to us! 😆 The half-hour journey is fun, with music, curious people and genuine sights. Nothing like the private transport organised by the hostel. The city halfway around the world is a complex celebrating the discovery of the exact spot where the equator passes. With a monument in the centre and numerous shops, tourist bars and a series of statues of 19th century researchers. We later discover that they were blatantly wrong. The equator actually passes over a hill on the opposite side! 😆
Pleasant outing, a fun little adventure and an interesting visit, Burak is delighted to have listened to me. All for the modest sum of $5.25, including admission to the tourist complex. 😅