Quito second time around

Today we report "the dune buggy situation" to the Canadian consulate and Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism. First, taxied to the business side of town. A fairly tall sky rise co hosts our country's consulate. Had to hand in passports and go through security, it's a good thing in case some wacko wants to make a statement of their own! Once arriving on our floor, yet another security station and where they take your cameras, phones, etc,,, put in it a lock box and give you a key. Waited a bit then went through a secure door into a small room partitioned off with a glass wall to a larger room where our consulate entered. We wrote out yet another report, more waiting, more writing. She took our email address and informed us that they will let us know what the outcome of the Banos buggy scandal. Bueno, lunch and off to the ministry of tourism. Same  sort of process without the extra security, we only handed in Steve's passport this time. Met with a kind woman Raquel who spoke as much English as we spoke Spanish and she quickly got us yet another interpreter! He was super helpful and not to hard on the eyes! LOL. He too looked disappointed to hear that the buggy owner had even gone to our hotel! Another bit of luck was that Cody had booked the rooms so they were in his name and buggy guy was looking for the Debowski's. Mr Tourismo was a great help and later let me take pictures of  incredible views from this glass walled office in the sky! The Basilica church really stood out with it's detailed  construction. Nice, the paperwork and reports are complete and hope this will help other travelers as the authorities will be watching buggy guy. Off to get Steve a shave and a haircut at Cody's stylist in Mariscal. She did a great job on Steve who without a beard appears 10 years younger! Ready for the ocean now! Booked flights for am trip to Manta. Out for dinner and enjoyed our walk in the mariscal area taking in the racy statues and other public works of erotic art. Such provocative detail! Their passionate randy influence is shared everywhere! It's good to be back in Quito and take in everything with a slightly different perspective, some subtle some are Wowser

! Nice dinner and taxi back to the hotel Inca Imperial. The cost should be two bucks and this guy wanted three but settled on two, so we get in! OMG this was the scariest ride I have ever had! I kept saying alto and pare but he got his kicks doing the andretti.  Thankfully we have our guardian angels looking out for us!

Bonito Banos

Wet and Happy

Ready for the synchronized part of the program

I'm from Canada and gonna make all da rules!

Ahhhhh, today we finally go to the waterfalls, finally! Taxi! This way we won't miss it! Kinda funny as there was no signage for the falls, so it wasn't just our lack of trying! Nice little hike down into the gorge through a very lush wet area with rock and concrete steps leading to a suspension bridge. The crossing led to the lookout area with a great view of the casada Del Diablo waterfalls! Worthy trip, bueno! Had our taxi driver waiting so next stop, one of the local hot springs. The Banos El Salado is reputed to be the finest in the area! After putting on our bathing suits and mandatory rental bathing caps we relaxed and enjoyed the hang time in the various pools. Some luke warm to super caliente then a plunge into a few choices cold and colder! Again, we are sooo white here! We have seen many people from South America traveling but hard to tell if they are Ecuadorian or other parts of Latin America! All speaking Spanish. And us getting by with our menu style spanish and charades!
Went out for dinner with Cody and Lindsay as we are heading in different directions in the morning! Them to the jungle and us back to the city to make reports on the now infamous "dune buggy incident"! After dinner a walk about in Banos, such a sweet little spot in the Andes. In one of the parks there were many locals and kids playing basketball. Steve joined in and played for a good hour while I sat, watched, and had fun with kids and dogs. They picked teams and made Steve and one of the taller boys captains with first and second pick. Just like the old school days, glad I wasn't playing as I would have been picked last. LOL! One short and robust lady was quite the sharp shooter while others also had some skills too. The fun finally ended after 11:00 with the locals asking Steve if he could come out tomorrow night.
Cody bought us a stuffed monkey we've named Roberto and he will be joining us for some future adventures starting with a bus trip back to Quito to take care of some old Banos business! We scooped the front seats and really enjoyed the driver's view! Climbing away from Banos you see rivers, ravines, mountains, and plantations! Plenty of rice fields, fat cows, and goats. Yummy!  Easy to recognize the indigenous folks with their unique style and features! We eventually see snowy Cotopaxi Volcano partially exposing her top side through the surrounding clouds. Back in Quito and back to the Hotel Inca Imperial!