G’day from Ecuador.
Wanted you guys to know that I am here in Quito, Ecuador and I am safe.
Your time is probably 11 at night, ours is 8 in the morning. You guys are ahead of us.
We arrived in rain, and the flight wasn’t exactly comfortable but tolerable. There was a question as to whether i was going to be able to fit everything amongst my luggage. As I have summer gear for the CAMP USA stuff, but in Ecuador, guys are expected to wear pants. Note to self, jeans are heavy space wasters in luggage. But glad it has worked out anyway.
On the way into Quito airport, right before you hit customs, we are greeted by the BIGGEST bunch of real roses (DEEEP PURPLE RED) you have ever seen!! I didn’t want to get separated from the group so I didn’t get a photo. Hopefully when we get to the airport again.
Nice to go on a trip that didn’t have three people all in a row. The gap between the chairs on the flight made all the difference. So far in flight movies have included two i’ve chosen – Michael Clayton, Juno, and two which were picked for us Step Up 2 and P.S. I Love You.
Nice to have a blend of flicks. Wanting to catch up on movies you’ve missed? Get on a plane!! hehe!! =^)
We are staying at a guest house connected to H.C.J.B. (Heralding Christ Jesus’ Blessings). For those of you who are unfamiliar with their work, this organisation sets up huge radio towers that broadcast from Queensland over to China so anyone with a radio can listen in. Their work is worldwide, finding ways to get the message of God’s Love out to parts of the world that might be too dangerous or too hard to be accessed by missionaries. Listening to these guys and their passion for people is really exciting.
Anyway…
Quito is a bit over 9000 feet above sea level (think about 2000feet higher than Mt Kosiosko).
We are spending a few days here to acclimatise. This is the first morning, i’ve been told we need to conserve strength and let our bodies adjust to the altitude.
Bottled water is the go here. You don’t drink the tap stuff, unless it’s been boiled, and no ice in drinks. Softdrinks and juice will be the go. Brekkie this morning was quiche, muffins, fresh fruit.
We head off to Loja on Friday, so we have a few days to check out this city. There’s going to be hopefully a tour around the city today. At some point there will be a market visit. Hopefully not the meat market but we’ll see.
Please be praying for strength, for my health to clear up. Still nose and throat giving me strife.
It’s actually abnormally chilly here. Loja is going to be mid twenties all the time, but Quito is strangely 14 or 16 degrees.
With some luck there should be some photos up on facebook soon.
Grant has his laptop here and i will try to put up some stuff online.
With some luck we may be going to the Equator Line tomorrow. The one with the big “E” on it.
Please email as I will not always be able to check in on here. I will be off the radar for potentially for a few weeks. But email is best to keep in touch with me on.
Love to all,
John =^)
