It is Tuesday

Good morning everyone out there in blog-land,
I have settled into my apartment and started to get around a little. This is a big accomplishment as I have had Chris as a guarian angel the first day or so and now I am on my own. My apartment is right on one of the main drags of the city, right in the heart of the city and it is a perfect locatuion for access to literally everything I need.
I got some grocieries from the super markert, explored he neighborhood and went out for dinner. I had selected a restaurant from my book on Ecuador and got a cab to go there. When I got in the driver told me that restaurant is closed. So I asked him for a recomendation and he took me to a great place.
I came ¨home¨ and watched TV and had a glas of wine. I am beginning to get used to Spanish TV. I watch mostly news and I did get an American PBS broadcast and got a little of the news on the eve of the NH primary.
I forgot to tell you all the other things Chris and Trish and I did on Sunday after we went apartment hunting. There is a hill in the center of the city called ¨Panecillo¨, literally ¨little bread¨. It get its name because the hill looks like a little loaf of bread. On the top of the hill is an enormous statue of the ¨Virgin of the Revelation¨. Also from the top you have a 360 degree view of the City of Quito and the surrounding volcanos and glaciers, when it is clear. It was not quite clear enough to see more than one volcano and a mere glipse of one of the glaciers.
The disovery of glaciers here was very surprising. Imagine there are glaciers on the equator, and there are a number of them and they proviode the water supply for Quito. The concern is that due to global warming the glaciers are disappearing and the fuyure of the City of Quito is at stake.
Also, the top of Panecillo is a popular gathering place for locals on a Sunday afternoon. There are streeet venders selling everything from what looks like bowls of chicken livers to cotton candy, kids are playing soccer, los novios, that is lovers, walk around holding hands, and it has a certain carnival atmosphere. It is quite cool, literally and figuratively.
After I finish this I need to go to the bank, and then take a cab to the Old City, the old colonial part of Quito. This is where the old churches, the most recent is about 100 years old, are located as well as some old museums, and who know what else.
If I have time for more adventure today I will go to one to the huge inner-city parks. El Parque Carolina and wonder around with my camera.
Tomorrow at 9:00 AM there is a Mass at the Diocesan Office and the Bishop will have returned from his vacation to Puerto Rico. I will meet him for the first time and talk about what I might do with him and his staff and how I might help at the Cathedral on occasion.
I am feeing great! The altitude is only noticeable when I have to climb up several flights of stairs. Climing stairs here is a way of life. Everything is ¨up stairs¨ and most of the stairs are bigger steps than is typical in the US, and few have hand rails. One of the best features of my apartment is the elevator--gracias a Dios. But I just go slow and all is well.
That is about all for now. The sun is burning off the morning mist and it will get warm soon. No rain in sight as far as I know and I guess it has rained only one day in the last couple of weeks.
You are all in my prayers and I truly feel the prayers of you all.
Hasta mañana,
Glenn+