We got up fairly early this morning and had a nice breakfast at the hotel before continuing our journey to Miami. We had little time to kill so we drove around trying to find the post office where we can have our post sent to general delivery before we head to the UK in May; we found several post offices but not the right one. I guess Mike will figure it out online; hopefully anyway.
Before going to the airport to check in we had to return the rental car. Man is the system they have slick or what. We drove into what was basically a multi storey car park that had all the rental agencies on different floors. We just drove up the aisle for Budget, they scanned us and that was that. Then we took their shuttle to the airport, easy peasy.
We had to wait a little while to check in as we had gotten to the airport earlier than was necessary, but we eventually got rid of all our luggage and got through security without any delays. Both Mike and I did get to have full body X-rays while going through security; we didn't get to see the pictures though so I don't know whether they could see everything we have!
After a very long wait we got to board; at least the airport has Internet access or the wait could have been even longer. The flight wasnt bad, it only took about four hours and we had inflight entertainment the whole way and some of the best airline food I've ever eaten. When the pilot told us that we were getting ready to begin our descent into Quito I thought he was losing his mind as all I could see out the window was blackness; there was not a light insight. But just before we landed Quito appeared through the clouds and there were lights in every direction as far as I could see. We disembarked and got through immigration and customs in record fast time and then got a $7.00 taxi ride to our hotel. OMG we went on the taxi ride from hell. Our hotel is apparently about 4 miles from the airport as the crow flies, but I think we went up or down every road in Quito to get here, and we did them all at the speed of sound! Ok that's a little dramatic, but they sure do drive like crazies here, weaving in And out, going top speed and then slamming on the brakes at the last second, scary stuff. Oh and everyone here has a horn and they are not afraid to use them.
We finally got to our hotel and there were some guys waiting to carry our luggage. Mike got us checked in and they took all our stuff to our room. I think we must be in the cheap rooms as we are not in the main building but outside across the car park. The room is ok, it's clean but super basic. We at least have two beds so that when I get mad at Mike we can each have our own. We have tv with about 20 channels en espanol, we have air conditioning (window open) and heat (window closed) - what more could we want. We also have our own bathroom with running water and our very own steam extraction system - check out the picture.
Seriously it'll be just fine, the people here seem really friendly and it's just for a few days anyway. Now I'm off to bed.

Mike: Becc, welcome to the 3rd world experience! I hope you have fun!