IT problems

Figured out the @ button. Control, alt then the number 2.



Thought I could download photos direct from my camera onto WAYN, but now I cannot get it to work. Too tired to try now, will try again later.



Mobile phone doesn´t have roaming here in South America. I already knew that, but tried it anyway. Local sim doesn´t work, so will not use the phone. Internet access on Isabel Is, so I´ll just use that.



Not sure if Larry fixed my emails. Got two messages that was sent yesterday

Quito

Went for a 8km run. Felt bad. 3000 km above sea level may have something to do with it. Saw lots of people out playing soccer, running, walking their dogs. Helped the one lady catch her poodle. She let it off the lead, and it was not going to let her put the lead back on!

Went to the markets later in the morning. Same old, same old. Got a shirt and 2 fridge magnets.

Looked around for things to get in case my bag didn´t turn up. Bought a few things (soccer shirt (anyone want a shirt when I get back?, shampoo (don´t have any anyway), soap, razor (knew I should have got my legs waxed before I left), underarm roll-on (the ¨salt-crystel¨just doesn´t work that well...). Decided not to buy too much until I knew my bag was actually missing for good.

Nathan is 18 and turns 19 in September. He´s here before he goes to uni to study Zoology in Newcastle. We spent most of the day together. He can at least speak a little Spanish.

Finally got to go up the cable car to get a view of Quito. Huge city. Went up another 1000km. Even Nathan was feeling it then.

Got back, had a quick dinner and then went to the airport to get my bag. Glad it was there, did not feel like going shopping...

Keeping contact

Wanted to go for a run, but had a 2 hour sleep instead. Now I´ve nothing to do. It´s dark out, so no walking around outside. Just walked accross the road from my hostel to this internet cafe.

Going out for dinner with Nathan. He is also on the Galapagos volunteer program, and staying in the same hostel as me. I only met him briefly. I think he must be a student. Looks about 20 years old!

What do I really need?

My bag is missing, so lucky I have everything I need in my backpack. Except for my sleeping bag. That´s really the only reason I took the big bag in the first place. I´ve arrived in Quito and I travel to Galapagos on Tuesday morning. We have a ´briefing´ tomorrow at 10am.

No-one came to get me at the airport (they had me arriving at 4pm?). I got a $3 phone card, but couldn´t figure out how to dial the numbers I had. The people at the airport were really friendly and helped me out. Got a taxi to my hostel. Nice enough area, if you are willing to live in a 500m square spot. Security guards and police all over. I´ll find myself on the map and go for a run tomorrow morning.

Apparently there is one other person staying at the hostel where I am that is also going on the volunteer trip. But I couldn´t figure out how to ask the women behind the counter who they are, so I´ll have to wait to meet them tomorrow.

Hot shower. Bought an apple and big bottle of water at the corner store and now I´m doing this...
Everyone just speaks Spanish. Surprise, surprise. Even the keyboard is in Spanish, and I cannot find out how to use all the buttons. Hense ´square´and the copy and paste of the ´at´button for emails.

Things seem really cheap. It´s 20c for 15 minutes online. The water and apple put me back just over a dollar.

Why do I possibly need a bigger case?

WEARING ONTO PLANE:
Money belt; Passport; Wallet; cash, credit card and ATM card
Soloman shoes; pair of socks; Shoe inserts; Crop top & panties; Skivvy; Pants with zip-off legs; Long-sleeved shirt

IN CAMELPACK (Carry on):
Plane tickets; Three copies of passport page; Email addresses/webpages; Travel insurance details; Combination Pad lock; Business cards; International phone card

Toilet paper; Facecloth; soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, ear plugs; Moisturizer; Lipstick; Eye pencil; Period pain tables; Sanitary Pads; Lip balm

Camera; 2 x extra memory cards for camera; Camera cable; Camera charger; Wristwatch; Mobile phone; GPS watch; GPS watch cradle & cord; Battery operated charger for GPS watch & phone; MP3 player & earphones; Skype headset; Memory sticks; Torch; Sunglasses; Reading glasses; Maps; Killerdoko; Spanish dictionary; Pen, small notebook; cup

Rain jacket; White jacket; Running shorts; Running shirt; Beanie; pair of socks; Skins; Underwear

IN SUITCASE (Check in):
Bladder for Camelpack; Cable ties; Photocopies of passport etc. (photo & data page); Souvenir list; Postcard list/labels; Sleeping bag; Silk sleeping bag liner; Binoculars; Maglight; Pocket knife; Umbrella; Heavy duty rubbish bags; Spoon; Books – Kokoda; Ecuador guidebook; Glue stick; Large envelopes; Gifts; Batteries for charger and bathroom light; Mobile phone charger; Brush for cleaning shoes

Toilet paper; Inflatable hangers; Towel; Toilet kit: soap, shampoo, ear plugs, hand sanitizer, dental floss, nail clippers, sanitary pads; face wash; Sards soap; Sink stopper; Rubber door stop

Sewing kit (cotton, needles, buttons); Safety pins; Cloth tape; Nylon cord

Gu-s; Hospital-grade food supplement; Cough and throat drops; Anti-inflammatory; Imodium; Paracetamol; Aspirin; Topical antibacterial ointment; Anti-itch - mechanical device; Sunscreen SPF 30; Insect repellent; Alcohol swabs; Band-Aids for blisters; Bandages; Scissors; Tweezers; Water purifying tables; Eye drops

Running shoes; Thongs; Reef shoes; Hat; Gloves synthetic or wool; 5 pairs running socks; 1 pair sleeping socks; Lightweight shirt; Pants with zip-off legs; Long-sleeved shirt; Underwear; Light scarf; Nighty; Fleece, short-sleeved

One day to go

All packed and ready to go. My trips are on WAYN.com, but you'll only be able to view them if you are signed up as my 'friend'.

Itinerary for trip

I've finally got it ready to send out to everyone. Will email it tonight and tomorrow.