Grand Totals

This will be our last post. We have compiled a list of expenses and distances. Thanks to Marcus and Barb for being our top commentators!

Distances traveled:

1. Plane: 9,347km
   
2. Train: 105km
3. Boat: 525km
4. Bus: 10,410km

Money spent on...:

1. Buses: US$ 609.94
   
2. Chocolate: US$ 34.00 (45 bars)
3. Wine: US$ 94.50 (17 bottles)

Number of...:

1. Bikes: 2
2. Trains: 2
3. Jeeps: 3
4. Planes: 7
5. Eco/Moto-taxies: 6
6. Boats: 14
7. Taxis: 43
8. Buses: 92

Nights spent in...:

1. Buses: 9
2. Boats: 3
3. School yard: 1
4. Shelter: 1
5. Tents: 3 1/2
6. Plane: 1
7. Hostal: 129
8. The Hilton: 1!

Thanks for reading!

Never Again (Again)...we hope

We are home! Safe and sound.

After the beach we stopped once more in the town of Otovalo to shop for souvenirs before coming home. On our last day we bussed back to Quito in the morning, stored our backpacks and walked around the city one last time. We went back and ate lunch at the first restaurant where we had to point for our meal, this time able to order food and drinks in spanish.

We got to the airport, checked our luggage and went through customs, getting our exit stamp from Ecuador. As we played games and read to pass time, we would look up and see our flight number flashing on the screen 'On Time'. Less than an hour before the plane was scheduled to take off there was a spanish anouncement over the P.A., and there was a collective 'aww-noo!' from the passengers and within seconds a crowd was gathering around the front desk.

Our flight had been delayed.

What we thought had been a long stopover in Bogota earlier, was now not going to be long enough so that we would be able to catch our second flight. There were several other tourists who were trying to get back to Toronto, and we all banded together to try and find out how we were going to get home. Finally we were sent back through into Ecuador, and down to the Avianca check-in desk where they were trying to help everyone get on other flights. Rumors started flying around that all flights out were booked for the next month, and we started wondering if it would be faster to buy a scooter and drive home.

Eventually, we were given a room at a hotel for the night with the promiss that the airline would call us the next day. Turns out, we were taken to the Hilton, which we had walked by earlier in the day and laughed at the door man who was decked out in a tophat and a tux with tails. After free 3 minute calls home to our parents to tell them the news, we went and enjoyed a late night dinner buffet with the other stranded tourists.

Eventhough we probably had the most comfortable bed we've experienced this whole trip, we didn't sleep too well, thinking about what was going to happen.

The next day, after another free buffet, and a free shuttle back to the airport, six of us sat at the Avianca check-in desk and waited. After a few hours we started to see some progress and we were told we were going to be sent home. Our new flight plan consisted of the same flight to Bogota, Columbia, but after we were going on to Caracas, Venesuela, and from there catch an AirCanada flight back to Toronto.

So after about nine hours of flying, eight hours of waiting in between, and one whole day late, we arrived, exhausted in Lester B. Pearson Thursday morning. We said ciao to the other tourists, 2 girls continuing to Montreal, a Swiss couple going on to Calgary with their bikes, and another guy continuing on to Japan! Needless to say, we were glad to be home. Our dad's met us at the airport and took us home to a pancake breakfast. One last adventure.

We have now caught up on sleep and are getting used to Canadian life again. And in a few weeks we will be back at camp for one more summer.

Can't wait to see everyone!

PS. Stu, we saw Baby Batman in a bus staition!