It’s true.  I met 27-year-old Ingrid at the new Quito airport which is an hour and a half from town.  I had already planned on staying at the airport because I had a 6:40am flight to the Galapagos and I had to be at the airport two hours before flight time. 

Ingrid was one of a group of people who had camped out for the night waiting to board an early flight to somewhere.  Me to the Galapagos and Ingrid to Cuzco for a university conference where she’s doing a presentation. 

It wasn’t a very comfortable floor and I couldn’t sleep so we visited.  For example, she is studying to be mechanical engineer and she just started a job working 44 hours a week for $500 per month.  Her apartment is a two bedroom unit in Cali, Colombia in a complex that has a swimming pool.  She says she things she’s got a pretty nice place and it’s $200 per month.  Gas is about $5 a gallon and milk about $4.

Also met these three and their boyfriends.  They were from Chile and Argentina and we’re on their way home from a 5 week trip.

Anyway, at 5:30am the reservationists from Aerogal Airlines showed up and we started through the line.  Two tour groups showed up and immediately went to the head of the line.  We were about 15 minutes late departing but we made it to the Galapagos.  We boarded a unairconditioned bus for a ride to the ferry.  Paid .80 for the trip to the other side and then boarded another unairconditioned bus for a 45 minute ride to Puerto Ayora. That bus was $1.80.   I found the hotel I’d booked and dropped my bags and went hunting a cruise.  I found one and leave on an 8 day/7 night cruise in less than an hour.

I’m not sure when I’ll have wi-fi access so I’m not sure when the next post will be.

Ingrid left for Cuzco.