I finally got around to leaving Quito with a girl called Helen from the hostel. We went to Banos and had an extreme sports day on wednesday, climbed a volcano, really hard climb, I thought the altitude would kill me. We ran half way down and mountain biked the rest, very scary stuff but great fun. Now I'm in Montenita cause we forgot to get off the bus as Riobamba and I´m nursing my wounds, I have a black toe. Have to be quick ´cause this is really expensive internet.

Still in Quito and loving it here. the hostel is beginning to feel like home and the people there are like a family. Every evening we all sit around the living room and watch a movie and sometimes we all chip in to make a barrel of rum punch. Yesterday I went around the old town, alot of guide books say to be carful of being robbed or attacked there so I didn´t bring any valuables. This was a good plan ´cause they would have got soaked in the massive water fight, the only fear of attack is from gangs of kids carrying water baloons and supersoakers. I bought a water pistol but it was a weak defence against the constant attacks, I even got covered in flour and this strange foamy red die, it´s so funny, everyone from little kids to old ladies in traditional ecuadorian costume join in. I´m a prime target for everyone I think there must be a rule where by you get double points for hitting a Gringa. I can´t believe things are already this crazy here and carnival doesn´t even start till friday, Id say it´s just going to be insane, I might go to the coast for it they say its even more fun there. I.m not sure I can handle more fun but I suppose I´ll have to try. There´s another rum an coke party at the hostel tonight, more mingling to be done.