After a long wait in the Atlanta airport we finally boarded our plane for Quito.  Delta moved us from one gate to another (three times) but we aren't complaining!  We were waiting for a flight to arrive from someplace..can't remember where, but apparently they decided that since they were already overbooked by 37 people for the flight they were just going to load up and take off when the weather broke and it was possible to fly.  So, we left Atlanta 3 1/2 hours late, but we did leave!

There was a police officer at the entrance of the plane talking on his cell phone to his Captain about someone they were detaining.  Don't know any of the details, just what I overheard the officer say, something about detaining the Ecuadorian for pick up.  He asked us what gate we were at and then we boarded so I didn't hear any more.

Although we have had problems with Delta in the past, this flight was great.  The crew was outstanding and the flight without incident.  That always means a good flight to me, although the landing was really fast and a little rough we did indeed land safely!

Going through customs and immigration was not a problem, they actually were quick and polite.  The dinner was hot, if not very good (icky would be a better word in my book), but it was served and believe it or not they were actually serving free alcohol drinks (one per person) with dinner.  I got a tomato juice (as always on flights) and Greg got a Coke.  Somethings never change!

When we arrived at the airport and went through security there was a guy waiting in the huge line of people near the door with a sign with our name on it to take us to our hotel.  He picked up a full load of people to deliver and away we went, screaming through the streets of Quito, red lights to be ignored!  We dropped two young students off at a hostel someplace in a less than desirable area (at least it looked that way to me) and then off to our hotel.

We drove for a long time (probably 30 minutes, but since we had been on a plane for hours and the hotel was supposedly just 10 minutes from the airport it seemed a long time.  When we arrived at the Hotel Sierra Madre the front desk clerk was wonderful.  He helped with our bags and even spoke some Engligh (which is a good thing for us.)

Our room is on the top floor (that would be 4) with a balcony overlooking the city and mountains.  It is actually a lovely view.   

The room has two beds, at double and a single.  Although there is no heat in the room there were lots of blankets so it was actually a good sleep on a hard mattress.  There is a bathroon in our room, the water kind of dribbles out, but there is water.  I didn't shower this morning, didn't have the patience to wait long enough for water to reach the pipes so far up, yesterdays shower is just going to have to last until tonight when we arrive in Loja!

The lobby of the hotel is filled with Ecuadorian charm, lots of less than new but decent furniture, the walls are salomon and green.  The doorway has a window arch over it and the hardwood floors shine where they aren't covered with new footprints.  It's obvious the floors are cleaned every evening to maintain their shine.  There are huge tiles in the TV area (where I am now to get internet service).  The area is probably 12 x 12 (3 tiles across and 3 down) so not too large, but large enough for my purpose!

The restaurant is open until 9 am for breakfast but all I've had is coffee.  Just not ready for food yet this morning.

The front desk gal is going to assist with getting us tickets on the airline to Loja, hope we can make it there today..time will tell.  She will be calling soon, they don't open until 9 and it's 8:37 am here now.