Check this video of Andy and I booking it across an MX track. Practice for the moto ride!
DaveAndyRideTrack
DaveAndyRideTrack
Monday, July 15, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
July 14th, 2013 pt3
One of the best parts of traveling with an iPhone is I can keep in close touch with the fam. Kim sent this today and it made my day.
July 14th, 2013 pt3
Before I start, here is a photo from our hike yesterday! That is the Cotapaxi volcano, we will be riding there tomorrow!
Today was an incredible day!
Andy is got over his sickness so we headed into new town and rented some bicycles. We lucked out this week because every other week they shut down Av. Rio Amazonas (a main street) and people can cycle up and down all day. We biked approximately 20km out and turned back before even getting to the end. It is the Ecuadorian version of critical mass.
My brakes were a mess so I stopped at a mechanics tent (set up every few kms, and run by the city) to fix them. I was able to also change a tire for a guy...yeah, I am breaking down laguage barriers all damn day!.
On the way back Andy wanted to make a detour so we took a side road and found that the old airport (shut down in Feb) is now a city park. You can ride all over the runway, up to the terminal, look at old planes. It was so cool.
In addition, there was a huge bicycle event on. There were obstacle courses, huge jumps and an x-games style competition. In the photo below you can see this guy on a random ramp out for anybody daring enough to jump it! I honestly would have done it but decided not to tank the entire trip!
We could not peel our eyes off the crazy jumps and crashes, so we took a seat on the old luggage belt and made a couple sandwiches. It was so crazy hanging around this old airport. I cannot express how awesome the new park was.
On the way back we rode through Quitos version of central park. The had everything our litigious culture in the states would not allow. Their playground equipment was a bit dangerous, but incredibly fun.
Andy and I spent our time in the full size BMX track and the largest street style BMX trick park. The photo below makes me look awesome, but eventually a video will surface of me crashing and testing the limits of my helmet and kneecap!
Finally, Andy had the brilliant idea that we should stop for some BBQ on the way back. In addition to the potatos, there were at least 5 different animals on our kabob! They were delicious and hit the spot!
We leave tomorrow on the motorcycles. It is a huge bummer that John will not join...his absence leaves a huge gap. But we will carry on and catch up with John later down the road.
July 14th, 2013 pt2
After a very long day I came back in and found out some really really bad news. John is not going to make it on the trip.
He had a number of things blow up at home and decided to make a call and cancel.
It is a huge dissapointment, but I know that he would move mountains to be here so if something is going so wrong that he cannot make it, then I respect that.
He had a number of things blow up at home and decided to make a call and cancel.
It is a huge dissapointment, but I know that he would move mountains to be here so if something is going so wrong that he cannot make it, then I respect that.
July 14th, 2013
John just wrote saying he is on his way! One more day before we ride out!!!!
I'm happy to report that Andy is feeling much better this morning. Definitely altitude sickness. We are going to play it cool today and get the batteries charged.
This hostel attracts a much older crowd so everybody pitches in on cleaning dishes, cooking and sharing wine. Last night a group of 8 watched "A Place
Beyond the Pines" and it was like sitting around with a bunch of old friends. Tonight one couple is making Cuban pork sandwiches for dinner and I'm looking forward to another night relaxing.Finally the iPhone has been an excellent tool on the road. I was able to FaceTime with Kim last night, write this blog, use the maps when walking the city and on and on. It's been much more efficient for sure.
July 13th, 2013 pt3
No food photos to update, as I left my phone in the hostel. Andy and I took a gondola ride up to the top of the mountains, then hike further up into oblivion! Fantastic walk! We came down the mountain and had some Mexican food in new town.
Unfortunately we had to cut dinner early because Andrew has come down with some bad altitude sickness. He's crashed out in bed and I'm hanging in the dining room trading stories with the other hostelers.
One thing to note is that Community Hostel in Quito is really great. Our bunk ages have been interesting and very social. All of the amenities are great and the $2.50 breakfast is better than what I can cook, and I am awesome at cooking breakfast!
Well, more photos to come! Andy and I are out for another adventure tomorrow, and the third amigo arrives!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
July 13th, 2013 pt2
Finally met the freedom rental guys, took care of paperwork and talked motorcycles all morning.
There are no dramas with the paper license!!!! Many thanks again to Nick for telling me about the IDP! It saved the day!
So now we hang out until John gets here. Gonna be great!
July 13th, 2013
July 12th, 2013 pt2
The approach into Quito is by far the most stunning I've seen. The land looks rough, and makes you wonder how people settled this place.
I arranged for a driver to pick me up, and he was there with his wife waiting for me. I started to shake the rust off of my Spanish and did alright. Friday night traffic was quite bad so the normal 1 hr drive took 2.5.
Andrew was in the kitchen checking mail when I walked in. It's like I saw him yesterday. We caught up, had a couple coffees and we headed out for dinner. Dinner was steak with mushroom sauce, fries and a salad. Very Sudamericano typical, and great to wash down with a glass of vino tinto.
We closed out the night hanging with the other hostelers and sipping a bottle of wine that Andrew brought from Italy. He's already a hit with the staff and guests! We hit the sack early and I was asleep before all the lights went out.
Friday, July 12, 2013
July 12th, 2013
Had a 3.5 hr flight from Houston to Panama, and it is a lot less exciting than I though. Just sitting and waiting. One can only do so much duty-free shopping:)
July 11th, 2013
It's my birthday! Had a great time tonight. Got out of work a little late and walked in on a house full of family and friends. Kim made a six layer cake, and keeping with tradition I flipped it like a champ! Video to come!
Ma and Pa took Amelia home with them and we rode bikes to downtown. On the way we stopped to check out cool houses and some great sculptures. Nice ride.
This is happiness.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
July 10th, 2013 Pt2
It's been a long week, as I am trying to get work ready for me to be on vacation for a week. Tonight we went to Ruchis for dinner. Nothing like comfort food!
July 10th, 2013
John will be leaving this Sunday, going from Denver to Miami (I think), then down to Quito. I should be in Quito by then so he'll arrive to familiar faces and a big pre-ride dinner.
I'll be Leaving Friday morning (It's Wednesday today). On the way down I'll layover in Panama City before heading down to Quito. I'm looking forward to one-on-one time with Andrew. The one problem with family living away from home is you have to share them when they come back to visit. Can't wait to catch up on all his stories!
One possible hitch I ran into was I've lost my drivers license. I visited the DMV last week and ordered a replacement, but all I will have in time for the trip is a printout. By luck my colleague and friend, Nick, mentioned I should get an international license from AAA. They were OK with the printout, and I happened to have some old passport photos so problem solved!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
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