November 4, 2010

After breakfast we climbed the stairs and went to the travel agent to select the Friday tour Mara recommended and then on to the post office to mail some postcards that had been accumulating.  We wandered around the Central Park area looking at shops and searching for a couple of restaurants we had heard about.  We did not have the exact addresses so we were not lucky enough to find them.  By this time Gala had had enough of my "I think its up here" and she selected the next restaurant she noticed, El Pavon Real.  We were 1st in at 11:30 AM.  Gala ordered a traditional lunch of rice, beans, fried potato cakes and fried plantains while I selected shrimp and a salad and dos cerveza, por favor.  The meal started with popcorn and the cerveza.  The food was very tasty and filling.

Earlier we had passed an expensive looking bakery with cakes & cookies and Gala wanted something to comfort her!  We returned there after lunch and she tried to order but no comprehendo.  An elderly businessman came to her rescue and the cappuccino ordered, muchas gracias!  We selected several cookies for our trip tomorrow and departed satisfied.

We walked back to the hotel for Gala's siesta and my visit the computer and cerveza.  After her rest, Gala wanted to go to the Mall Del Rio to find another piece of luggage to haul back our existing and future purchases!  The short taxi ride brought us to a large modern mall with lots to see. 

Tree inside the Mall Del Rio

This pool was inside the Mall - she was having fun trying to stay on her feet

We found a bag that would work and found a taxi for our return to the hotel.  We had written down the name & address but the driver seemed a little confused, maybe he had not been on this side of town before.  We got close (at the top of the stairs) and thanked him for his efforts, returned for a cerveza and TV for Gala as we awaited the dinner hour.  Gala decided we were going to take Spanish lessons when we returned home no matter what!  I look forward to the challenge, maybe I'll take golf lessons as well.

We planned to go to the Kookaburra Cafe at the top of the stairs and west (I think) but I met Mara on the terrace and she said they were not open for dinners.  Gala joined us and the ladies decided we should try Cafe Eucalyptus and took a taxi there.  Very nice inside and one of the largest bars I've seen in Ecuador, but this is a hangout for the Expat community after all.

Ladies ordered vino and I stuck to the cerveza.  Baba ghanoush with extra bread was orders for starters.  I ordered ceviche, Mara the Indian curry chicken dish with rice and vegetables as Gala order the Tai curry chicken with rice and vegetables.  Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake.  All very filling and delicious!