1st day

I`m going to take advantage of our hotel`s free internet and write one more post before leaving tomorrow morning.

After breakfast, Becca, Stephanie, and I set out to find Quito`s botanical gardens. We never found them, but we did enjoy a nice stroll around a huge park (imagine a tropical, delapidated version of Central Park). People were jogging, playing soccer, and doing bizarre exercises on equiptment that looked questionable. Meanwhile, other group members stocked up on water and sunscreen at a pharmacia.

We regrouped at noon. A former UD professor lives in Quito working at a catholic university. He offered to give us a tour of his library and collections. In order to meet this professor, we needed to take a bus. It may sound like a piece of cake, but with 15 people who do not speak Spanish we needed some serious help! We`ll call our first attempt was a "learning experience." As the bus pulled up to our platform, we all graciously stepped back to allow fellow passengers to exit. (Who says Americans are rude)?! Well, before we knew it, the doors were shut. Mary was almost cut in half and jumped into my arms for safety. Only Professor Shriver and Becca made it on. The rest of us waved as they went by. The look on their faces was priceless. We were hysterical. It all happened so fast! Our TA, Sarah, had the wherewithall to gather us, tell us our stop, and instruct us to bumrush the vehicle. Next time, no prisoners! After learning the hard way, we´re all pros.

Once we met the former UD professer, he walked us around a nice area. We enjoyed a fantastic lunch at one of Quito´s finer outdoor cafes. Everything was insanely inexpensive considering its quality. Post lunch, we got a tour of the university`s science department. Adam was super excited to see some beetle, walking stick, and wasp specimins. I moved towards the back of the group when the professor opened a jar of preserved spiders...not really my thing. By the time our tour was over, we were totally drained. We came back to the hotel, had another fantastic meal, and made use of the pool and hot tub. We found out that we have a Rehoboth Beach lifeguard (John) and a pool certified lifeguard (Mike) amongst us. Kind of nice for when we`ll be on the boat snorkeling the days away. John showed off his butterfly stroke and we were all amazed...Michael Phelps watch out!

Being that Quito isn`t very safe we have been instructed to leave bags and cameras at the hotel. Sorry no pictures yet! At first we were skeptical about this advice, but I`ve noticed that when local guys ride the bus they move their backpacks to their stomachs and clutch them tightly. Unfortunately, Sarah already had $10 stolen pickpocketed from her. Hopefully, that will be the first and last incident.

While I write this, everyone is dutifully reading for class. I better go catch up... Tomorrow we have a jampacked day. We leave for the Mindo Valley and will enjoy our first hike. There`s some other stuff planned, but I left my syllabus in the room and can`t remember. Whatever it is, I know it will be good!

p.s. Bailey also has a blog. If you just can`t get enough, go to her profile to access it. It`s called "The Voyage of the Beetle."