Well, my next stop was Quito to take some Spanish lessons. Back to school. Definitely a really really strange feeling. I am not used to get homework anymore. And it felt even stranger to present the homework the next day. Honestly, I did not like it at all. However Yanapuma language school was a very good decision. Vinicio was a really great teacher, I met a lot of interesting people at the school, and aside from teaching Spanish they offer a great cultural program in the evenings and on the weekends. I also like the idea that all profit from the language classes goes directly to the projects of the Yanapuma foundation. After not speaking Spanish at all, Vinicio managed to teach me the basics of the language in just one week and already after two days I was able to book two hostel beds for Claudia and myself all in Spanish! Thanks Vinicio for all your effort and patience with me and your very good teaching! Thanks to the whole staff at Yanapuma for doing such a great job!

Well, managing to get another hostel bed was totally necessary after one night in a hostel in Mariscal, the party zone of Quito. Worst night ever on this trip! Crazy, crazy! Well, in the end it was good that the night was so awful, because I went to Casa Bambu afterward. A nice place high above the city with very clean rooms, two big kitchens and a beautiful rooftop terrace. More important: I met a bunch of awesome people there. Thanks Mette for giving me the tip and thanks to EVERYBODY at Casa Bambu for your great company and the funny evenings! BIG HUGS are sent to: Mette, Lena, Mindy, Elise, Marieke, Wouter, Niels, Niklas, and El Condor Luke! Thanks for all the fun! Awesome!

Aside from the Spanish lessons and some beers in the evening, I did not do too much in Quito. Basically, I enjoyed the nice hostel and the good internet connection to get in touch with my beloved ones. Long talks with NTE, yeah! Well, did of course visit the old part of the town, where there are a lot of amazing churches. One is golden all over inside. And you get a beautiful view from the towers of the Basilica. Just see the pics.

Wish you all as many nice evenings as I had in Casa Bambu! Michael