Eastern Standard Blog

Ever since my wife originally went to Quito in 2005 I’ve heard about the various places she went and things she did while there. She longed to share her experiences with me. One place that became central to her experience there was a shopping mall called Quicentro.

Now there can be little doubt that Ecuador is very different than what most of us know in our comfortable, western, 1^st world lives. But Quicentro is located in a very nice part of town, and is as fine a shopping mall as you are likely to find. I’ve been in a lot worse malls in the United States. A prime example of Ecuador’s modern capitalist aspirations. It is full expensive goods and services. Much to my surprise it also has a surprising amount of American fast food. Dunkin Doughnuts, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, TGIFridays and KFC. I’m not such a big fast food eater myself these days, but I still was surprised. We joked in Rome that you could find historical points of interest based on their proximity to McDonalds. There is also a great arcade located on the 3^rd floor, which also has a massive kid’s play area where no adults were allowed. Lots of play houses, slides, tubes, tunnels and a ball pit. As you might imagine this was a big hit with the little one. At 75 cents for 20 minutes of play it might have been a little pricey by Ecuadorian standards, but fit my gringo sensibilities just fine.

The eating there was quite tasty too. It contains the most excellent Crapes and Waffles as well as some ‘typical’ Ecuadorian fare. Avocado, plantain, white hominy (locally called mote) and the fabulous llapingacho, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten so healthily and inexpensively in a food court before!

So, yesterday, I put my wife on a plane for Ecuador. She’s going to be gone until March 13th. Holy yipes! My daughter and I are leaving this Friday to spend 12 days there, returning on March 5th. Since my wife will be in school during the days, I’m pretty much on single dad duty until then. Holy yipes! Hopefully we can avoid any repeats of the zoo…

I am very excited to visit Ecuador. I have never been and of course the idea of going to the actual equator appeals to the nerd inside me. There will be pictures of me standing in both hemispheres! We were hoping to visit Banos, but due to volcanic activity this is probably not going to happen. Instead it sounds like maybe Mindo is where we will go.

Yesterday was a rough day for both of us since we had to get up at 4 am to head to the airport. Not many 3 year olds I’ve met have very good days when they start at 4:30 am…hopefully this week won’t be too bad.