7 hours by bus to the Pacific Coast

Went to Atacama Saturday´/ Sunday returned Monday.
It is a beach resort. 7 hour journey by bus from Quito. Slight trauma for one of volunteers night before departure, which caused her not to come. In taxi with son of the house-- dispute over taxi fare-- She got out-- son of the house driven away taken out of taxi beaten up and robbed-- next day both spent day going to various police stations--
However arrived Atacama 4.00 pm Swam in Pacific Ocean for first time. . Town full for weekend Sat Night. Town full of Put- Puts (motorbike with cabin for passengers), and potholes , which if you drove into one, you would lose a wheel and probably your suspension.
Hostel described in guide book as looking like a pile of driftwood, well yes and inside was quite basic wit showers "natural" ie no hot water--bunk beds-- football continually on the television, and as the Ecuadorian League has just started , big crowd gathered to watch, watching requires at least one bottle of rum . The Ecuadorians either drink or do not drink, but when they drink they drink a lot.
As it was Sat night bars open toll 4.00 complete with the devil´s music, Ecuadorian style,. In bed circa 12.00 but music from across the street made it impossible to sleep., When it eventually died down the room next door started their Karaoke machine and had a karaoke competition for two hours, By 6.00 things got quiet , except for the rooster in the backyard.

Sunday was families on beach, 99.9% Ecuadorian, the richer ones arriving in their 4x4´s, most by bus & put-put. Sun evening v quiet . but always the fears that go along with being the 0.1% gringo, and therefore rich and good target
Journey back long & boring, first through coastal jungle plains, then gradually up to cloud forest level with much rain. I expected to arrive in to Quito newtown, but in fact arrived into Quito south, very south, into a beautiful, well constructed and organised bus station where I eventually figured out hoe to get to Villa Flora, my local trolley stop.

Am now out in St Isabel barrio where there is as school, both pre-school and after school "clubs", some start@ 7.00 others start @14.00. Currently on Lunch break----11.00 to 14.00
a lot of time to fill in the middle of nowhere. an hours busride from Quito.