ECUADOR

After crossing into Ecuador, I travelled 3 hrs by bus to Otavalo. The bus travelled through picturesque scenery but it was difficult to see from the aisle seat. It was also very distracting as they were showing an extremely violent ninja type movie (heads/limbs being chopped off, blood everywhere) and extremely loud music. It was hot and crowded on the bus. I can´t complain though as it was only 3 dollars and it was convenient. I found a lovely hotel in Otavalo, the Hotel Riviera Sucre. It is a pretty and welcoming place.
Being a Saturday I was just in time to see the renowned market. One of the main streets, in addition to Poncho Plaza (yes, it is called that - Artisans´market), had numerous stalls selling brightly coloured bags, scarves, jumpers, ponchos, blankets (alpaca of course). It was great just to walk around and look but I was too tired to bargain/buy. I found a little place where I had a meal of the day. The next morning I wandered around Poncho Plaza and enjoyed buying a few things. As I am up in the mountains and heading into cooler weather, I bought myself a scarf.
On Monday I caught the bus to Quito (2 hrs and unfortunately, another violent martial arts movie). I am staying at Hostal LÁuberge Inn which is a great place. It has a little restaurant and also a travel agency (very handy). It is conveniently situated within walking distance of the historic centre and a short taxi ride to La Mariscal where all the restaurants, bars are.In the afternoon I wandered around the Old Town of Quito which has lots of majestic buildings and an abundance of grand churches. I also took in the view of the city from the hilltop where the staue of the Virgin of Quito is.Quito is surrounded by mountains/volcanoes and is a huge city. Today I visited La Mitad del Mundo or the Equator. As well as posing with one foot in each hemisphere, it was fun to watch people doing all kinds of antics for the camera (jumping, sitting, striding the equatorial line).
On Friday I am off to the Galapagos for 8 days. Can´t wait to tell you all about it!

Post-script: As much as I liked Quito, I have to tell you about an unpleasant incident. No harm done to me but I had my camera/bag stolen in a scam (similar to waht they warn you about in the guide books). I was having lunch at The Chicken Grill on Avenida Colombia (not far from hostel I was staying at, also not far from Hospital Eugenio Espejo). I was sitting in a corner hungrily devouring my chicken. I sensed someone nearby but didn´t pay attention. A man stooped near me and pointed to some keys on the floor - I looked down then checked my pocket to see that they weren´t mine - as I did this, his accomplice took my bag with my camera in it - I didn´t notice until the waitress rushed across to tell me I had been robbed. Rather annoying  especially as my Colombian photos of the last 2 weeks were in my camera. But as I say, I was unharmed and my passport etc safe in the hostel. I later met someone who had tomato sauce squirted on them and their bag but they were alert enough to refuse"help" and the bag was not stolen. A friend who was travelling with me had laptop, camera etc... stolen in the south of Ecuador. So, yes , be careful in Ecuador !
But apart from this incident, I did enjoy Ecuador and its people.
And of course, I needed to get a new camera for my Galapagos trip!