[DAREL KNIGHT]

Thank you all for the great suggestions. My trip turned into a real adventure. I spent the first 4 days of it in Atlanta, trying to get on a flight that was not overbooked or overweight. My travel partner went on my vacation without me. (chuckle) I finally made it out on the fifth day. Horrible way to start a trip but I met some great people while hanging out at the Atlanta airport. Met a young man from the coast of Ecuador and another whose wife is living in Banos. Hope to visit them on my next trip if I get up the nerve to try it again. I also met a fantastic Delta agent who was putting her parents on a plane to Ecuador (their home) and had them take me under their wing when we finally were able to fly out. They not only took me home to their compound in Quito but took me to Cotacache the next day and helped me find my travel companion. What a wonderful family.
I caught a cold in Atlanta on my last night there (left the air conditioner on) and I woke with the room cold enough to pack fish. It continued to get worse as I traveled but it was still a good trip. Missed the Saturday Market in Otavalo but did spend part of the day there. Made it up to the Crater Lake just out of Cotacache. It was beautiful. Hope to go back and take the boat trip around the lava domes next time. The owner and wife of the little hotel I stayed in took us up to Laguna. The recommended hotel in Cotacache was up for sale but the tiny hotel I stayed in was really fine and very inexpensive. The owners were Louis and Beatrice and their daughter spoke English. It was $12 single and $20 for a double as I recall. I will post the name of the hotel when I get home.
Made it to most of the planned attractions in Quito after a bus ride back but never did see any of the Volcanos as the clouds were a bit thick at the time. Hope to do the Volcano tour from Quito to Cuenca on the next trip and spend some time in Cuenca. I still haven’t found my future winter home but have not ruled Ecuador out at this point. Beautiful country and great people. Thanks to everyone for the help. Darel

[DAREL KNIGHT]

Thanks Again Susan,
I will definitely try some of these. Just received word that the Andino hotel in Quito is full for the two nights we had put in for. This is turning into another one of those “Adventure” trips as I just blew the engine on my vehicle coming over the pass from E. Washington. Arrived in Seattle on a bus but made it here for turkey dinner—at 9:30 pm. Had to drive to Kent, Washington this morning at 6:00 am to get out of jury duty for the trip. If this keeps up I will have a story for you in this trip alone.(chuckle)
If you have another hotel option in the same range as Andino please let me know. Thanks, Darel

[DAREL KNIGHT]

Hi Again,
Looks like I will be spending some time in the Cotacachi/Otavalo area and would love to meet a few expats living here. Where are the “hang-outs” where this might be possible? I hope to return to Ecuador after the first of the year and do a bit more traveling than I have time for this trip. Thanks, Darel

[DAREL KNIGHT]

Hi Susan,
Thank you very much for the reply. Will definitly try some of your suggestions. I could use an inexpensive hotel/hostel in Quito for the first night and the best way to get from the airport to the hotel/hostel at 11:00 pm. Tough time to be looking for a place to sleep. Thanks again, Darel

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