More news from Quito...

Wes and Curtis will be picked up at 10 am tomorrow morning for their trip to Cotopaxi. After doing some shopping today they took a cab over to the basilica. Wes said it reminded him of some of the churches in Italy. He said there was a lady outside the basilica selling corn. Wes didn't want any corn but he gave the lady a $1. She looked really confused as to why he was giving her money but didn't take any corn - so then he took a picture of her which made her even more confused. The main currency there is the US dollar. They do have their own currency that are coins but it you give them a $20 and need change it will come back to you in US dollars. They did get a bunch of coins but it turned out to be US dollar coins. The ones with Sacajawea on the back. Wes and Curtis also took a very long hike up to the top of this hill. It took them about 40 minutes to get to the top and it was made up of all stairs and narrow passageways. At the top is a statue of the Virgin Mary. There was also this chicken wire structure in the shape of a donkey. He thinks it is lit up at night or something. Wes said the steps up to the top of the hill reminded him a little bit of the streets of San Francisco - what with the human feces and all! Wes' allergies have really kicked in due to all the diesel fumes in the city. They will spend tomorrow hanging out at the Cotopaxi climbers' hut.