Olio of Observations on Quito/Ecuador

 So as we enter our last two weeks here, he's a mix of observations that didn't fit into a "themed" post:

• It's very convenient that they use the U.S. dollar. They do actually mint their own coins, as well, equivalent to U.S., but it's still predominately U.S. currency being used. A ton of the Sacagewa dollars, and a fair mount of the U.S. Presidents series dollars. No trying to convert the cost to figure the "real" cost.
• Lots of places accept credit cards, but they are more likely to ask for your ID to confirm it's you - both locals and foreigners.
• There are a ton of public plazas.  There's the big/main one just down the street from us in the historic center - ALWAYS hoppin - and then just a few blocks over from that is the large San Francisco plaza, also very busy - esp. with the main Downtown Metro stop. There's a cute small one a few blocks from us where lots of older men gather to play cards. And tons of others scattered around town.
• The historic center is very hilly, very shades of San Francisco, but also very traffic crowded due to small one lane streets, you gotta know the one way directions, etc. As much as I like it here, I would not live here if I moved here. Too much traffic, too many tourists, etc.  Luckily, our place is quiet coz the chaos peters out just as you get up the next to last block to our place. I would live near Carolina park. Very modern, LOTS of amenities, beuatiful surroundings with the mountains, but a generally flat area.
• The altitude does mean you need to drink more water and you can get tired after long walks and need naps. Fine with me, lol.  But the UV is high and you need sunscreen or umbrellas like many locals use.
• One cool thing is that sales/VAT tax is included in all prices. Everywhere. It's nice to know that the price you see if the total price. Period.  And, as mentioned, it's insanely cheap here compared to the states. We pay $500 a month rent for a smallish 2-BR very well located, and includes all bills - including internet. We can both eat out for $6 total.  Fast food, ironically, is more expensive. But even nicer meals will set us back only $15-$20 total.  
• No "protruding" signage is allowed. Took me awhile to realize/process this, and it's nice from an aestehtic POV. It DOES mean you need to pay attention when looking for a new place as the signage will just be wording on the wall of the building near the entrance.
• Knowing Spanish will help you a lot, but a fair number of folks in larger stores, medical facilities, etc. speak English, and everyone has a phone/uses Google translate when necessary.
• While there are a SHIT. TON. of little mom & pop restaurants, you can't always be 100% certain they will be open during their listed/normal hours.  It's not SUPER annoying or often, but you should generally have a back up.
• Like the states, Black Friday is a big thing here - a lot of places actually do "Black Week" and have specials the whole week of Thanksgiving, that is not even celebrated here! Even medical clinics will offer discounts for appointments scheduled during Black Week.
• There's a ton of street vendors in the historic center, which is cool. Lots of women selling produce, nuts, little cevichoco stands, etc. Ice cream. Little mini kiosks with all kinds of convenience store type goods (and very few actual convenience stores). There's also a fair number of folks walking around selling totally random stuff like knobs for pot/pan lids, rubber gloves, telescoping window cleaners, etc.  Weird.
• A lot of bathrooms in public places have the toilet paper OUTSIDE of the stalls. That is, they have dispensers just inside the entrance. I'm guessing coz people will otherwise steal it? The malls have these fancy "auto dispensing" TP mahcines where you wave your hand under a sensor and it shits out toilet paper (huh huh huh). But all public restrooms we used were super clean.  They also have public restrooms around the historic center that charge you like 10-25 cents and have a person that takes your money and keeps it clean.

In a few weeks, I'll unveil my decision as to whether or not I would actually consider retiring here and where it ranks overall in my "preferred" list.  Next week, we're off to the Cloud Forest for a fun farewell overnight, and we also still need to get to to the top of the hill here to see the big statue.