Clean Clothes and a visit to Plaza Grande

Hello from Quito,
Last night I had a great dinner at what I thought was an Argentinean-Chilean Restaurant, but it turned out to be an Ecuadorean-Chilean restaurant. Not that I would know the difference, mind you. The food was very good, a great chicken dinner with rice salad, bread, for $7.00. The chicken had a sauce that I cannot identify but it was very good.
I had a great nights sleep, 8 solid hours. In fact I have slept well most every night since I have been here. Some of that may have to do with all of the walking, and climbing stairs and hills. Or perhaps it is some of the Spanish TV progams, which are quite boring. may be the reason, but regardless of the reason, it feels great. Speaking of Spanish TV, I do watch it and it does help with my ability to understand Spanish.
This morning I washed clothes ealy, before others could get to the machines. The machines at the apartment are not fast, but they eventually do the job. After finishing the wash and a quick run to the supermarket for bottled water, I took a cab to Plaza Grande.
I was there the other day for a short while when I went to Old City, but today I spent about 5 hours there just walking around and taking photos mostly of people. There were no demonstrations there today as there had been the other day, just people of all kinds hanging out in the Plaza. A lot of old men meet there and sit on the benches and talk, and nap, or just sit there doing nothing. It is full of vendors, kids in school uniformes, various police and military people, old ladies and young couples, etc. It is a fascinating place for people pictures.
I had a lunch in a neat little place and had lamb and rice and ¨water with gas¨, that is the phrase for bottled sparkling water. If you want plain bottled water you have to ask for ¨water without gas¨.
I also stopped in mid afternoon at a place highly recommended in my travel book that has great fruit salads with creme. And it was also wonderful.
I have mentioned getting around in taxis. They are everywhere and very cheap. The meter starts at 35 cents and a trip across town is seldom more than about $2.50. There is no tipping taxi drivers, but it is common to round the fare up to the next highest quarter. So a fare of $2.15 would really be $2.25.
Tomottow afternoon I am going to Chris´s house and meeting him and seminarian from the US who is here for about 18 days. Then we are all going to a meeting of the PanAmerican Leage of Churches. This is a very active group and it is the same group I met with on Monday morning with Chris. On Mondsay it was mostly just introductions, but this is a meeting about some of their projects, so I am looking forward to it.
I am also beginning to look at some of the areas I want to visit by myself and when I see Chris tomorrow I will get some guidance from him. Depending on what the Bishop may have in mind for me next week I might try a 3 day trip to one of several places I am interested in. It will be nice to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city, of which there is plenty. A little tranquility in some outer, more remote area for a few days would be nice.
Despite the hustle and bustle I must say this is wonderful. I have had more time to relax, read, pray, and just let my mind wander than I have known in a long, long time. My morning time is very special. I start each morning with Morning Prayer (and coffee), and then have time to just think of and pray for all of you. It is strange perhaps how you can be so very far away, with only internet communication with a few, yet still feel very close to you all. I feel your love and your prayers, and thank God for all of you and for this incredible experience.
My meeting tomorrow may run late into the afternoon and I may or may not get a chance to post anything here tomorrow, we will just have to see.
Mean while I love you all and keep you all in my heart.
Glenn+