Once we received the call that we needed to leave early, we listed the tasks that needed to be done so we could leave before 7 am the next morning. While I drove Peter back home to Cincinnati, Mary drove to Chase to get cash for incidental expenses on the trip, then started mowing the front yard with the John Deere. When I got in, I started mowing the back yard and field with the Kioti tractor. My mowing was easier since I had mowed the orchard the day before and had run the string trimmer while Mary and Peter roasted wieners. Still, I had to finish mowing the field by the tractor’s headlights. The fall air and light breeze were cool, so my fleece jacket felt very good. It was hard to believe that we had temperatures in the mid-90s just a few days earlier.
By the time I had finished mowing after 7:30 pm, Mary had mostly packed and was ready to load the larger suitcase that would be our checked bag. We were unable to locate the TSA approved luggage lock, so Mary ran out to Walmart to pick up another before we turned in. We were exhausted but looking forward to our adventure in the Galápagos Islands.
We awoke at 5 am on Tuesday morning and had our usual omelets with poblano peppers and sharp cheddar. We finished packing our carry-on bags, double checked the door and window locks, turned on the alarm and security cameras and headed for the Cincinnati Airport by 6:40 am. We arrived at the Hilton where we normally park around 7:40 and caught the 8 am shuttle to the airport. We were able to check in easily even though Holbrook had changed our flight the previous day. Because of our Global Entry card, we went through security quickly and easily which is always a relief. We walked around Cincinnati airport for nearly an hour before going to our departure gate. Our 11 am flight to Atlanta left on time and appeared to be very full. We watched a few programs on the seat back screens during the flight of a little over an hour.
Soon after we deplaned, Mary had a text from Cindy that their flight from Jacksonville, FL had arrived and that they would be in the terminal soon. We were happy to see them and visited as we walked through the Atlanta Airport. Mark and Cindy hadn’t eaten yet and we were all hungry, so we found a Qdoba Restaurant and had a good lunch. We arrived at Concourse A but were departing from Concourse F, which was about a 30-minute walk or a fast ride on the airport shuttle train. Since we needed to move around, we decided to walk to our departure gate. The flight to Quito began loading on time and departed Atlanta on time for the five-hour flight.
As with the flight from Cincinnati to Atlanta, this flight was also very full. The only vacant seat we saw was between Mary and her seat mate. She and I sat across the aisle from each other. Mark and Cindy were a few rows behind us, also across the aisle from each other. The in-flight meal was a choice of a chicken salad croissant or fruit and cheese tray, both of which looked good. Mary & I both got the sandwich which we enjoyed. Complementary drinks included the usual coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices but also beer, wine or cocktails. I had the white wine which went well with the chicken. After the meal, Mary worked puzzles in her magazine, and I watched Unforgiven on the seat back screen.
After deplaning at the Quito airport, we went through immigration quickly and easily showing only our passports and giving the agents the anticipated dates of our stay. We picked up our checked bag and walked the short distance to the taxi stand. We were surprised that the fare for the four of us would be only $25 for the 40-mile trip to the Sheraton on Avenue Republica El Salvador. Our driver, Denis, was pleasant but spoke no English. From time to time, he would use a voice translation app to get needed information. The ride was quite an adventure. Denis had his playlist of Spanish language rock music blasting at high volume. His driving had us gripping the seats when he darted between trucks, cars, motorcycles and pedestrians at high speed. Several times we were certain that we would crash but he got us safely to the Sheraton where we would spend four nights.
Our fourth-floor room was very nice, large and well appointed. The large screen television only seemed to get Spanish language programming. The bathroom had a spacious curbless shower with a rain shower head. The bed was comfortable, and the room was clean, quiet and dark.
As with the flight from Cincinnati to Atlanta, this flight was also very full. The only vacant seat we saw was between Mary and her seat mate. She and I sat across the aisle from each other. Mark and Cindy were a few rows behind us, also across the aisle from each other. The in-flight meal was a choice of a chicken salad croissant or fruit and cheese tray, both of which looked good. Mary & I both got the sandwich which we enjoyed. Complementary drinks included the usual coffee, tea, soft drinks and juices but also beer, wine or cocktails. I had the white wine which went well with the chicken. After the meal, Mary worked puzzles in her magazine, and I watched Unforgiven on the seat back screen.
After deplaning at the Quito airport, we went through immigration quickly and easily showing only our passports and giving the agents the anticipated dates of our stay. We picked up our checked bag and walked the short distance to the taxi stand. We were surprised that the fare for the four of us would be only $25 for the 40-mile trip to the Sheraton on Avenue Republica El Salvador. Our driver, Denis, was pleasant but spoke no English. From time to time, he would use a voice translation app to get needed information. The ride was quite an adventure. Denis had his playlist of Spanish language rock music blasting at high volume. His driving had us gripping the seats when he darted between trucks, cars, motorcycles and pedestrians at high speed. Several times we were certain that we would crash but he got us safely to the Sheraton where we would spend four nights.
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