Hello from Quito

1:00am - We are finally at the hotel.
1:15am - We are finally asleep.

... And when we awoke, it's hard to believe that we are here ... Quito!  Ecuador!  Our lovely little boutique hotel, Hotel Sierra Madre, is nestled between office buildings and small shops on busy Av. Veintimilla, and looks lost in time.  No elevator, but a healthy walk to our 4th floor room ... spacious with queen and single beds, a private bath and look at this wonderful patio with view overlooking the neighborhood and the mountain.  

Av. Veintimilla is at the top of a hill that leads down into a busy commercial area.  We walked down to see what was in the area and grab a bite to eat.  We didn't find much to choose from, and quickly realized that what little Spanish we had learned would not get us very far.  

But, with the universal language of wine & cheese, we were able to secure a little something for relaxing on the patio that evening to watch this amazing sunset.

Heading south. Way south. Ecuador.

Why Ecuador?  Everyone asks that question.  
     Why not?  It's there.  We've never been to South America.  Cross it off the "bucket list".
Lots of reasons to go.  About a year ago, I saw an episode of HGTV's House Hunters International.  A Canadian couple sold everything they owned and headed to Ecuador, a place that was definitely not on my radar.  Life was good, and they found living in a beautiful climate where making-ends-meet was much easier than it had been in Canada. 

After doing a bit of research, we began making plans to go for vacation.  It has taken us a year, but here we go.  Cashed in points and frequent flyer miles and going 1st class!!!  A good idea for such a long trip.

First class perks ... comfy pillow & blanket, and filet mignon and champagne for dinner.
Oh, and most important, 
leg room :-)
A girl could get spoiled ... 
just saying'...  
Looks like I'm not the only one!

Oh, where are Margaret Orr and Jay Galle (WDSU Channel 6 New Orleans awesome weather team) when you want to know if these are strato-cumulus or strato-nimbus clouds!
Whatever they are, the view was amazing.