It was a rather sombre morning when I woke up this morning, as I have to admit that I have rather got used to life in Quito and Ecuador, with the people, the easily understandable and convertable US dollar and not to mention my friend C' being a most fabulous and easy going host and guide.
Last night before bed I had time to reflect that although 3 days in a city alone is 2 days too long, with a happy and friendly guide who knows what to show you both in and outside the city limits, 3 days is at least a couple of days too short, but not only is the route I have chosen fixed but I have always known that to give each city the proper time it merits would not only bankrupt me for the next ten years but keep me away from my family and friends back home for at least three years, not to mention that I would have to appoint someone in the UK my financial guardian and take control of my house while I am away, and have I mentioned in the past that I have stored my stuff with family and friends also, I'm not too sure how impressed they would be to suddenly find themselves storing all my just for years instead of months!!!
When I first booked this trip I was unsure if I could make it, unsure if I would have enough of travelling or if it would just light the spark of eternal wandering and right now all I can say is that although I will need a good long rest and time to recoup my financial losses, if things continue to go this well I can't imagine me staying in the UK again forever, as travelling is just too much damn fun ( when its done right of course ! ).
C' was up earlier than I was this morning, as she had work and my flight was not until 4pm, but as she works seconds away form the airport, it made sense that we met up and shared another lunch before I had to say farewell for now to Ecuador, but just like I had with New Zealand, Spain and Malaysia I have liked Ecuador enough to know that it now features in my top ten places in the world and one day I would dearly like to return.
The taxi ride to the airport gave me a chance to take a few last second photos and wouldn't you know it but this being my last day, the weather decided to brightened up to a hot 26 degrees and all the clouds were making themselves scarce, typical for a traveller heading the airport when you think about it.
A airport leaving fee tax of US $40.80 was a lot higher than most airports, and having to change flights in Panama with my luggage being transfered from one to the other, I am yet again holding my breath slightly and crossing my fingers that when I arrive in Cali I will have everything with me. There was free wifi reception in Quito but on arrival at Tocumen airport the wifi was not free, and as I was just passing though and will be here less than 2 hours ( if all goes according to plan ) then it just wasn't worth me paying for a days access, especially not at the prices they were trying to charge.
I have got a private hotel room booked for tonight in Cali, but I have also got a secondary cheaper accomodation booked for the rest of my time in Cali, and after the last few loooong autobus journeys, despite it being about £60 I decided to book an internal flight from Cali to Medellin a few days later.
I also almost left my laptop behind me in Quito, as I put it down to pay the airport tax and then calmly forgot all about it and walked up the esculators and was halfway to my departure gate before I realised and rushed back as fast as the slippery clean tiles and my smooth soled trainers would let me.
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