Quito Trip Report - Day 1 ( Otavalo, Peguche Falls)

Our trip to Ecuador was my first time in South America proper (not including Mexico). Quito is the second highest capital city in the world after La Pez in Bolivia so you really want to be prepared for altitude sickness! I speak from experience.

On arrival in the evening, I was feeling fantastic though this didn't last so long. Being so high up, and located near the equator, the weather is quite pleasant, reminiscent of California. Our friend from college met us at the hotel and handed us 2 packets of tea (Cocoa de Matte) or mate de coco which was supposed to help with mountain sickness. P being the blackhole that he is devoured the tea in a gulp. Mistake number 1, I took a sip and tossed mine out. I think this is where my troubles began!

The next day we boarded a local bus with our friend (yes the theme of this vacation is do it as the locals do) to Peguche Falls near Otavalo. It's a 1-2hr bus ride away. Ecuador has a good system of public buses. It was all fun and novel initially but I wasn't so sure I enjoyed the ride on the way back. The blaring soap opera on the TV and the smell of garlic permeated did not go well with AMS.

Mistake number 2 was climbing a small hill near the waterfall. Probably not such a good idea on the first day in high altitude.

Peguche Falls:


The Country Side:


We eventually ended up at Otavalo Market and had lunch at Mi Otavalo, near Calle Sucre (Calle Morales). There was live music and we got to sample local food. I'm sure it's geared towards tourist but it was good and really cheap!

Corn and Cheese Appetizer (L) Pork Main Course (R)


Inside Mi Otavalo:


After some shopping, we eventually made it back to Quito in time for dinner. We went to Cafe Mosaico which has a great view of the city (old town) at night. This is a fancy restaurant for locals but tourists have the permission to be badly dressed!



I was feeling sick and uncharacteristically not hungry so I ended up with an avocado cheese soup. My taste buds cannot be trusted on this day but the texture of the cheese was spongey.



Cafe Mosaico
Manuel Samaniego N8-95 and Antepara
Itchimbia, Old Town
Quito, Ecuador

I couldn't sleep that night and that was made worst by a tingly sensation in my fingers. I tried popping some Diamox for altitude sickness but wtf that thing doesn't work. Should have started taking it BEFORE the trip. I had a huge migraine the next morning and fixed it with some Excedrin. Was miserable ...

What I wish I'd Known
I wish I'd known I'd have AMS.
I wish I'd taken diamox before the trip.
I wish I drank that coco de mate.
I wish I wasn't so gung ho and had taken it easy on the first day.
I wish we were in a nicer hotel being sick and all.
Oh so many regrets for this one ...