A few days into Ecuador and . . . What an AMAZING country! Flying into Quito was a thrill. Gorgeous snow-capped volcanic peaks, patchwork of green fields, terra-cotta rooftops, modern buildings of Quito – we landed literally in the middle of the city. First impressions: people are so pleasant (starting with the Immigrations officials no less!); streets are spacious; plenty of parks and green spaces; clean; no graffiti; bright yellow taxis; their currency is the US dollar; they use “our” electricity . . . it doesn’t feel very “third world!”

In fact, I remember thinking, “I could live here!” (Though I might have to learn to speak Spanish…)

Enjoyed a fabulous sushi lunch in a very chic restaurant. Checked into the boutique 5-star Le Parc Hotel – so cool/hip/trendy, with spacious suites and a hot steam shower that was heavenly! www.leparc.com.ec I know the WOW! Travel Club will be “wowed” by this hotel!

Went to a concert at an ancient, gold-encrusted church (and mostly stayed awake through the whole thing!). Temperature was cooler than I expected. The old city of Quito is filled with magnificent colonial architecture (those Spanish conquerors left a beautiful legacy…)

Today, we drove up to the Northern Highlands. Oh, my, gosh . . . I need to spend another week here! The DMC, Condor Travel, takes great care to show the authentic sights – avoiding the “touristy” places and supporting local entrepreneurs who feed their families from their tourism endeavors. We visited a bakery which produces thousands hand-made pastries every day (what a production!); a tiny roadside shop with beautiful hand-embroidered items (the elaborate embroidery on the blouses of the Zuleta Indian ladies takes weeks to finish – and can be purchased for about $100); in San Antonio, wood-carvings and inlaid tables that were so beautiful and SO inexpensive; crossing the equator; the spectacularly idyllic (and aptly named) La Mirage where the WOW! travel Club will stay; a scenic country road with gorgeous volcanic peaks on either side; the leather town of Cotacachi (more unbelievable values); a hacienda that has been in one family for more than seven generations and another that is 400 years old . . .

Finally – after 5 PM – we reached the famous market town of Otavalo (where all the tourists go), which was anticlimactic by that time (although the tourists were long gone!)!

That’s just for starters!