Countdown to Ecuador

Three days until I arrive in Ecuador, the city of lights, the city that never sleeps, the big apple... you know, those sound awfully familiar, I'm wondering if I should question the xeroxed pages of this lonely planet I bought in a roadside Cambodian market? I'm pretty sure Ecuador isn't a city, but I do plan on taking the book's advice and drinking the local water often... what could go wrong?

Actually, that brings up an interesting subject, perhaps only interesting to me but for the time being its my blog so I'll proceed... to date... knock on wood, I have yet to come down with any kind of gastro problems while traveling that would cause frequent evacuations from either end. The reason is a.) stomach is messed up enough as it is and wouldn't notice, b.) street meat and I are like peas and carrots, c.) depends undergarments, d.) knowing many toilets don't have paper and forcing my mind over ...ummm... matter.

Is it bad that I'll be staying at the Chicago Hostel? Maybe Chicago has some spanish meaning... hopefully not "get your coca-ina here".

So time is counting down and like every year, I'm really looking forward to it. I really think this will be a great trip because Brian isn't here... I mean because I'll get to visit three different ecosystems (dang, do I sound like a tool) in the Galapagos, the Andes and in the jungle. I'm hoping to find an opportunity to paraglide in the Andes, how amazing would that be?

Anyway, this post is a warm-up, look for more to come once I'm there and can describe it all too you. I'll see if I can upload a photo of me straddling the equator (yeah, I know where some of your minds were going when you read straddling, sickos).

If I'm not back in two weeks... just wait longer.

Dave