Jon got us to the airport by 6:30 AM which allowed us to navigate the ticketing process and be herded through the screening examination. To our surprise, Gala's plate and screws from her broken wrist (2 years ago) did not register a problem with the sensors. On to Starbucks to enjoy a snack before the flight. At the gate they were requesting those with carry-on's check them because it was going to be a full plane. We had not planned to check our bags, but realized it may be a bit crowded and exchanged our possessions for a ticket stub. Hope the bags find us in Quito!
It was a full plane for the 4 hour flight. We had a 3 hour layover in Houston so we wandered the corridors for lunch options. Settled on slices of pizza and lemonade (no beer in this area). Checked in and had plenty of time to walk around. Houston's airport is very large and we were only in the Continental wing. Many long and flat escalators made traveling convenient.
Full flight, and we were in the back of plane, again. Our seating companion, Martha, was an Ecuadorian living in Australia, coming home on her annual leave. We had a good conversation and she enlightened us on some items of interest in the Quito area. Flight was 5 hours and we arrived about 11:00 PM. We deplaned on the tarmac and were directed to Immigration. We were escorted to a short line (based on our older appearance, I guess) and avoided the line with 100+ passengers. The bags were slow to arrive but they made it! The only issue was the lock on Gala's bag was missing, so I suppose I must not have secured it tightly.
We found a taxi to take us to the Eugenia Hotel, about 15 minutes away. He had been in the US and spoke very good English. It was our first of many experiences in a taxi while visiting and I must say they drive differently down here. It was late at night, but only slowing for red lights and driving down the middle of two lane streets (to get a jump on the fastest lane) and the horn honking messaging skills surprised us.
http://www.eugeniahotel.com/
We arrived at the Eugenia and were treated with great courtesy. Our room was comfortable and well kept. We attempted to place some valuables in the room safe but the process failed and we went to bed sleeping on the loot and passports.
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