Quito

Hola!
So I have spent this week in Quito. I have been staying with a lovely Ecuadorian family. They have taken me around Quito. I have seen many churches and some museams.
Of course it is very hilly here so you can drive up into the mountains and get amazing views of Quito! It is not the safest place to be but I have always been with someone so I have been fine!
I have been on a cable car 4,100m up a vlocano. The views of Quito on the way up where amazing. By the time we got to the top we were in cloud so we could not see Quito but we occasionally got a good view of the tops of the volcanoes. It was very impressive! I have also been to the centre of the world! There is a small city built on the equator that we went to. There are lots of stalls there and cafes and there is a big monument. This monument has four sides, facing north, east, south and west and it is right on the equator. Inside there is a museam that we went in to. The top floor is a viewing balcony with lovely views of Quito and the surounding mountains. The museam gives you a history about Ecuador, it was really interesting!
On Wednesday evening we went to an opera. Andrew (the eldest child) is playing the double bass in the orchestra and this was a practice performance. It was really good! The actors and actresses were very impressive, particualrly the lead female - she reached all the high notes. I could not understand most of it but it was very bright and chearful and I could follow most of what was happening just by the actions.
The driving is insane. People go and stop randomally and change lanes all the time. I am very careful when crossing the road because not only is the driving mad but they also drive on the wrong side of the road - confusing!
The family are all lovely and I get on well with the three children. They are very good at English, particularly compared with my pathetic spanish!
Lizzy is coming out this evening :) we are going to go and pick her up from the airport soon! This weekend we are going with the family to Banos and then we are off to the jungle!
xxxx