Tuesday, June 30, 1998

Miss K in South America Again

Well hey there,

I'm at the university basking in the air conditioning. Yesterday it was still 85 degrees at 10pm!

One thing I forgot to tell you was that the crew from the boat I was on in the Galapagos, the Angelito, were the ones who rescued the people from the boat that capsized. In fact, the day that I was in the town Puerto Ayora looking for a tank top (because I was so damn hot) CBS was on the boat chatting with the crew. It seems that Johnny was not only the cabin boy-bartender, but is also a hero. After I found that out, I felt much better about the whole cruising experience.

After spending a full day in Guayaquil, I realize that I didn't properly appreciate Quito. We went to the Mall del Sol which is like any mall in the US (except for the armed guards in the Hallmark store) including a food court with Burger King, Taco Bell and TCBY. It was very odd.

At night we ventured into Urdessa for dinner. Although it is one of the richest neighborhoods in town, the streets and sidewalks were filled with holes. You couldn't pay too much attention to the stores around you because you had to put a lot of effort into not falling into the water filled open trench in the sidewalk. Oh yeah, I should have been more appreciative of Quito.

Well, that's the update for now. I'll keep you informed, unless I fall into the open trench.

Ciao,
Kristian

Monday, June 29, 1998

Miss K in South America Update

Hola!

I am here at Kevin's university in Guayaquil. I spent the morning in his beginning English class where we learned that pilots, not chefs, fly airplanes.

I had a good time in Quito hanging around, going to the equator, which is conveniently painted yellow, and meeting other travelers - so many people from California! It was quite a difference going from the crusty, budget travelling backpackers to the cruise in the Galapagos. Although the boat held 16, there were only 9 of us so I got my own cabin - yeah. There was a French speaking Swiss family, a family from Manhattan Beach, and a bizarre woman from the Bronx - "is that a sea lion or a dolphin?"

The islands were pretty amazing... it seemed like a lot of wildlife to me, although our guide kept saying that there should be so much more but there wasn't because of the nino. There were quite a few dead sea lions which was both sad and smelly. I did see plenty of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, waved albatross and iguanas. WE went snorkeling often and I saw king angelfish, sea lions that swam with you and even a white tipped shark! The crew was friendly, although a little forward, I had an offer to spend the night with the captain... someone needs to get over himself, please.

So far, Guayaquil is hot. You start sweating as soon as you get up and start moving around. I have been told that it is cooling off and winter is almost upon us. Some of Kevin's students were wearing sweaters in class.

On Saturday night on the ship we had a cake which said "happy birthday christi" and everyone sang and the entire group put together a little card which they all signed. On Sunday we were going to take the ferry across the river to Guyas through the cholera-infected town of Duran and go to some restaurant but we missed it and had to eat dinner in town.

All in all, I'm having a good time - have only experienced the typical digestive issues and haven't run into any trouble. I will try to send another update from Peru before I hook up with the Habitat group.

Ciao,
Kristian

P.S. Guatemala gang - have fun at the reunion, please play a game of hearts for me.

Wednesday, June 17, 1998

Miss K in South America

Buenos Dias!

Well, I made it here just fine. The flight was too long and very tiring. During the stop over in San Jose, Costa Rica, the airline arranged for us to take a tour instead of stiing in the airport for four hours. All we really did was look at things from the bus but it was better than sitting at the airport.

I found the hostal Eva Luna and am set up there. Right now I'm the only person in a room designed for 6. That's okay by me. I got breakfast this morning at Super Papa. You get juice, coffee, bacon, ham, potatoes, eggs and rolls for $3. Good God! I went to arrange my Galapagos tour and now I'm at the So Amer. Explorer's Club using the email.

I will get in touch with y'all again whem I'm in Lima - after the islands.

Ciao,
Kristian