Bel & Ecuador: Part II: Roadtrip begins!

Here I am! Surviving my roadtrip in Ecuador.

The car we rented sucked and the roads were worse than I would have never imagined.

I don´t know if I had told you but before planing my trip, I went to the Ecuador Embassy to gather some information, including the condition of the roads. They promised the roads were in perfect shape... Shame on them for having lied to me!

So, we rented the car in Quito. I had made my reservation a weeks in advance to pick up the car at the Quito airport at noon. When we got there it turned out they didn´t have the type of car we asked for, so they offered us un upgrade. I wasn´t sure about it. I feel more comfortable with compact cars, but well, it was not like we had a choice... So, when we were filling tha paperwork, it came up that some of the lights of the cars were not working. They offered us a discount price.

Of course we were not accepting a car in those conditions. We were supposed to drive that car for a week, in uncertain roads... so we insisted, insisted, until they got us another car.

So, we got into the car and the adventure began!

The plan was to drive to some hill to have a panoramic view of the city, but we never found it. We drove for hours in different highways and we couldn´t find the right entrance to the curvy road of that hill. Instead we entered two different hills with shantytowns...

The roads were narrow and very steep... and the car got stopped once and again...

In one ocassion I had to drive backwards down one street because the car wouldn´t climb it!

Miraculously we weren´t robbed or anything and we headed to "Mitad del Mundo".

Mitad del Mundo, means Half of the World and it´s a thematic park about the equator line. It´s a few kilometres away from Quito, and I think it´s quite overrated. But well, I´m glad we got our pictures with one foot in each hemisphere.

We also had lunch there and it was probably the worse meal I´ve ever had! I was trying to be innovative and asked for a veggie menu. OMG! Just disgusting... Tasteless, or maybe it tasted like carton, paper... humidity, I don´t know how to explain it, but you can see from my face I was not liking it!

I made some time to write and send some postcards...

After spending the afternoon there, we headed North to Otavalo.

We had reservations for Friday night to see the Traditional Market on Saturday morning.

So, the roadtrip began!

The highway was ok at first. It was a long weekend so it was kind of packed , but it was quite ok... until the mountains started. The curvy roads began and it got cloudy and cloudy upthere...

In the embassy they told me I was not going to face any mountain roads on my planned itinerary, but soon I learnt they were wrong in so many ways!

So, we drove patiently until finally reached Otavalo.

It is a nice town, and its traditional market is attracting more and more tourists that seek for the South American roots.

We went to the hostel and had dinner a few blocks from there...

The following morning we woke up and headed to the market... We bought so many things! They were all type of handcraft things, ceramic earings, etc.

After spending a few hours in the market, we went back to our car and started our way to Manta just before noon.

Manta is in the Pacific coast and it has nice beaches. We were about 600kms away and were planning to get there in the early evening. The Embassy had told us we were not going to drive through mountains, so we figured we could drive slowly, enjoying the road and we could get there for dinner.

Well, you can imagine that was not going to happen!

We drove South to Quito, and it was ok. We called our families to let them know where we were and that we were heading West. We bought some chocolates, chips and sodas and kept driving.

Soon, we started to see the mountains. At first, they seem far, then we were closer and closer. And yep... we started to drive through the mountain roads. It was not that bad at the beginning, just a lot of warning signs, but not thaaat baad...

But then we saw a cloud... And we made a stupid joke about what bizare could be driving through clouds... Well, we drove into the cloud, and the cloud never left us!

The road started to get narrow, and narrower, and then it was full of tracks driving at 15 km/h. So we had to drive at that speed. (Do you call that speed?)

The sun was setting, and I convinced myself we were going to die in that road. I was happy I had just talked to my family... At least they would know where to search for our bodies... My friend Mechi just kept praying. We were terrified.

While I tried to stay calm driving, Mechi started to look at the maps to see if there was anytown nearby. It turned out there was a town 30 kms further, and nothing else until reaching the coast.

So, we decided to spend the night there, in Santo Domingo. We were only 90kms away from Quito, but it took us more than 3 hours to get there.

Santo Domingo was everything but nice. Ugly small city, full of tracks, dirty roads, and nobody knew where we could find a decent hotel.

We ended up in a place called Hotel Verde. No internet connection, but there was an internet place in the same block, so we wrote our families to let them know of the change of plans.

Now, our biggest fear was to be killed and disappeared in that ghost town. We were feeling like in a movie where you know some one is haunting you... You just have to wait for the creature to appear and attack you...

Well, thankfully, we had a safe dinner in front of the hotel, and went to bed.

We woke up and this was our room view:

Breakfast was included, so we woke up early and went to the dinner room.

Served myself some tea and... when it was time to put some sugar, it turned out that the pot was full of bugs!! Tiny little black bugs! Awful... We moved to a different table... It was the same in each table we tried.

We could only drink half of our tea, and we left.

We had missed our night in Manta, so we had to drive all the way to Puerto Rico, instead. It was like 150kms further.

It took us ages to get there... At least it was easier to drive with the sun shining. It was cloudy but a nice day. We drove through little towns that produced fruits jams and things, so we could spot some banana plantations...

The roads were under construction so we had to slow the pace at times, but it was so much better than the day before...

And we felt so happy once we reached the ocean!!! It was deep blue and the road we took to Puerto Rico was going paralel to the beach, so it was a nice drive... I wouldn´t call it scenic road because of the holes it has... If you waste a tiny second looking at the scene, you have high chances of loosing half of the car in a hole.

So, we got to Puerto Rico, just next to the most popular Puerto Lopez, in the afternoon. We spent the entire day driving!

Airplanes: When they become a nightmare (ii)

So, these are the good news from Delta.

I didn´t get a full refund after all, but the compensation they are offering is decent enough, so I won´t lost any more time, writing to them... I will accept it and I´ll organize a new trip... I just have to figure out where to go next!!!

Dear Bel and The City,

Thank you for your e-mail describing the inconvenience you experienced
due to flight irregularities when traveling with Delta and our Delta
Connection partner, Comair. We apologize for the difficulties you
encountered.

We are very concerned about the unfortunate situation you described.
Flying with Delta should be enjoyable, and I am sorry for any role we
may have played which caused your travel experience to be otherwise. The
inconvenience you experienced does not support our goal of providing a
high level of service and value to our customers. Customer service is
very important to us, and we are working hard to transform our company.


Your time is valuable, and operating on schedule is equally important to
us. However, in the process of operating scheduled service over many
different routes each day, occasional mechanical malfunctions, adverse
weather, and other interruptions to routine performance plans are
unavoidable. These are situations faced by all airlines and no air
carrier can guarantee that all flights will depart or arrive on
schedule. We are sorry you were inconvenienced due to these delays and
you also incurred additional expense.

Your comments about our onboard service are appreciated. We realize
in-flight dining can add to the overall travel experience, and it is
unfortunate you were disappointed. The changes in our meal service are a
part of Delta's comprehensive Transformation Plan to offer a more
simplified, value-driven customer experience. Accommodating our
customers' dietary needs is a service we want to provide. We arrange for
thousands of special meals on our flights every year, and we do all
possible to avoid errors.

While we would like to offer special consideration in cases such as
yours, we are unable to honor the many similar requests that we receive
from others in equally deserving situations. We follow a consistent
policy to ensure that Delta is fair to everyone who travels with us.
Accordingly, we must respectfully decline your request for a refund of
your ticket.

We have also reviewed your information and want to reimburse the
expenses you incurred for the Shuttle. Accordingly, you will receive our
check worth $59.11 within twenty business days. Additionally, as a
goodwill gesture, we have authorized the issuance of our $200.00
electronic Transportation Credit which may be used toward future Delta
travel. E-TCVs are valid for one year from the date of issue. They may
be redeemed at delta.com, Delta Reservations, or at any Delta city or
airport ticket office. Tickets issued at delta.com will not incur a
transaction fee. Fees will apply if the voucher is redeemed through any
other Delta location. You will be receiving a receipt for this e-credit
in a separate e-mail. Please refer to the terms and conditions of the
e-credit for additional information.

Again, thank you for writing. Please accept our apology for the
inconvenience you experienced. We look forward to serving you under more
normal conditions.

Sincerely,

Jessica P. Neil
Manager
Customer Care

Airplanes: When they become a nightmare

Airplanes usually mean happiness, the beggining of a new trip, the promise of an expected holiday, or just the relief of going back home... However, it´s frequent that they become a nightmare...

As you know, I took a RoadTrip to Canada last September.

I flew from New York to Toronto, and then I began a Roadtrip that took me from Toronto-Niagara-Toronto-Ottawa-Quebec-Montreal to fly back to New York 9 days later.

The Road Trip was fantastic, but the flight was just a nightmare...

Below you can read my full complain to Delta Airlines, with details of the 7-hour nightmare I went through...

As a model I used the complaint I wrote for the Bus tour and that I included in the Post
Travel: When things do not go the way you expect

Wish me luck!!! I´m demanding full refund :)

Email about Past/Future travel: Past

Nature of Comment: Complaint Concern

Email Pertaining to: Flight_Delay_Cancellation

Email about Other topic: Passenger comfort

Comments:

As suggested by Delta operators, I am writing to obtain compensation
(total of $ 343.11) for the huge ordeal I had to go through, for which
Delta Airlines is responsible.

I was on the flight DL 5244 (operated by Comair) on August 31st, 2007,
scheduled to depart New York at 5.33pm and to arrive Toronto at 7.50pm.

A few minutes before the time of boarding, a delay on our time departure
was announced. So, we boarded one hour later.

Getting out of the gate took longer that usual because of the traffic,
but we got a place in the line to take off. We had been in the plane for
about an hour, really close to take off, when we received an
announcement from the pilot stating that we needed to return to the gate
since the flight attendant was about to exceed her maximum time of work
for that day. But we were told there was another flight attendant ready
to board as soon as we get to the gate.

It took us a really long time to get out of the line and there were no
available gates so we had to wait for about an hour. By the time we
managed to reach one, there was no one waiting to replace our flight
attendant, as we were informed, so we had to wait for another hour.

In the meantime, we received another announcement from the pilot, saying
that the First Officer was also reaching his maximum working hours.
Therefore, we needed another replacement, and this lead to another
delay.

When all the crew was finally on the plane, there was some paperwork to
be done, refilling the fuel, etc. Then, we spent over an hour taxing and
managed to take off after midnight and arrived in Toronto airport around
2.30am, after an incredible seven-hour delay.

The weather had no abnormal conditions, in New York , Toronto or in
between, as our Pilot confirmed several times. Even though there was air
traffic, all the planes were taking off and landing.

WHAT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND IS DELTA?S INCAPACITY TO MANAGE ITS STAFF
EFFICIENTLY:

-Susan, the flight attendant allegued she had given heads up that
morning about the possibility of exceeding her working hours.

-And even if the flight attendant hadn?t adviced Delta about this
possibility, considering the delays we were already suffering, it had to
be obvious for Delta and the rest of the crew that they were going to
exceed their working hours. How is it possible that they had to wait
until being actually overworking to call a replacement?


NONE OF THIS NIGHTMARE HAD HAPPENED, IF DELTA HAD PREVENTED THIS
SITUATION AND GOTTEN REPLACEMENTS BEFORE BOARDING.

FURTHERMORE, IT?S INEXCUSABLE THE WAY THE PASSENGERS WERE TREATED BY
DELTA AIRLINES, WHICH SHOWED NO INTEREST FOR THE PASSENGERS? COMFORT:

-We were delayed for 7 hours, 6 of which we were held IN the plane
(before taking off).

-The condition of the restrooms was repulsive and nauseating. Since we
boarded, all passengers had to use perfume to be able to breath when
using the restrooms, since they smelled and had no sufficient sanitary
conditions.

-***Although I requested Low sodium meals, we all passengers had salty
peanuts, salty crackers and hot mineral water as only options***.

-The staff did nothing to satisfy my requests (and other passengers) to
organize something to eat (sandwiches etc). Since we were waiting (for
the crew?s replacement) at the gate for 3 hours, a catering service
could have been easily arranged.

-**I (as well as other passengers) specifically requested delta?s crew
to ask delta airlines for delta representatives in toronto to satisfy
our needs once we get there**. Many passengers had missed connecting
flights, reservations at hotels, and I MISSED MY SHUTTLE TO NIAGARA
FALLS.

BUT WHEN WE GOT TO TORONTO THERE WAS ONLY ONE DELTA REPRESENTATIVE
WAITING FOR US, WHO DIDN?T DO ANYTHING TO HELP us after a seven-hour
delay. All the passengers were deliberately discouraged to try to get
immediate transportation, alleging it would be faster to make our own
arrangements and then ask Delta for a refund.

Therefore, my boyfriend (who had been driving from the US for over 8
hours and surprisingly still reached Niagara before I did) had to drive
all the way from Niagara to pick me up in Toronto Airport .

Although I travel a lot with different airlines, domestic and
international flights, this was by far the worst experience that I have
ever had. I haven?t ever encountered such big amount of incompetence from
other airlines.

Based on the paragraphs above, I think it?s proved Delta has no
capabilities to fulfill schedules? commitments or to treat passengers
accurately.

THIS WAS A VERY STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE THAT I WOULD HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO
AVOID. IT WAS DISTRESSING ME AND ALL THE PASSENGERS AND WE LIVED FROM
ONE CRISIS TO THE NEXT, JUST BEGGING FOR THE CHANCE TO GET TO TORONTO TO
GET OFF THE PLANE.

IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I DO FEEL THAT IS REASONABLE TO EXPECT A
FULL REFUND OF THE MONEY PAID TO DELTA, FOLLOWING YOUR MISREPRESENTATION
OF WHAT YOU WERE OFFERING. I EXPECT, THEREFORE, A REFUND OF THE FULL
$284, AND A COMPENSATION FOR THE $59,11 I PAID FOR THE SHUTTLE TO
NIAGARA THAT I MISSED.

If this sum is not forthcoming, I am quite prepared to take the matter
to the appropriate authorities.

Yours sincerely,

Bel And The City
(Full name of course)




PS: I am attaching the details of the Shuttle I had booked from Toronto to Niagara.

Travel: When things do not go the way you expect

So, as you already know, I had friends visiting me a few weeks ago...

They stayed in New York for about 3 weeks and we used the weekend to travel shortly.

The first weekend we visited Philly, and for the following, I booked a tour in GoToBus.com to Boston and New England.

Unfortunately, it was a nightmare!!!

You can read the details on the complaint I wrote and I´m copying below...

Now that I think about it, it´s a fun experience, but it was nothing fun at the moment :)

My favourite part is when I say we were taken to Chinatown with no options but eating Chinese food or starve in a hotel in the middle of nowhere. J

Request History for Complaint regarding incomplete and misleading information in the webpage:


2007-02-28 15:33:57

To whom it may concern,

After successfully using GoToBus a couple of weeks ago, I recently experienced a terrible problem. I am writing to obtain compensation for the huge ordeal I had to go through, for which I believe your firm is responsible.

At the beginning of the month I purchased a 2 Day tour from New York to Boston, based upon the description in your webpage. For the three of us, the total paid to you for our trip was $225.

Finally, last Saturday February 24th, it was time for me and my friends to take the trip that ended up being a nightmare.

First of all, when we took the bus, we realized all the other people were Chinese, even the tour guide. So, I asked if the trip was in English, and I was told it was. No one (nor the webpage nor the employees on the bus) mentioned that 90% of the time I would have to hear the tour guide speaking Chinese, missing all the explanations of the places we would visit. The description and information of the places were very poor in a very bad English that was nearly impossible to understand.

Second, according to the tour guide we were not allowed to use the WC. We could only wash our hands. That was it. So, the bus made several stops to allow passengers use restrooms, incurring in unnecessary delays.

Third, and the most important thing, the bus door was opened, while the bus was on the highway. We fear for our lives and other people’s. Furthermore, there were toddlers, walking barefoot in the bus corridor, that could have been easily thrown out of the bus with the open door.

Fourth, the Yale University tour was very poor. We spent only 25 minutes, with an explanation in English of less than 5 minutes. But immediately, we were took for lunch for more than an hour.

Fifth, we were misled by the guide tour to purchase the $15 guided tour to the mansion, when he told me I wouldn’t be able to get off the bus if I didn’t pay the mansion tour.

Sixth, I asked the tour guide where the hotel was, and after insisting several times to get the information, he told me he didn’t know the address and just gave me the telephone number for me to call and find out. After that, he explained me the hotel was in Lexington, 20 miles away from Boston. This was surprising, because Lexington was never mentioned in the tour description. But the worst thing is that there was no public transportation from Lexington to Boston. I called the hotel to find out if there was something to do nearby, and I was told there was absolutely nothing around.

Finally, we arrived to Boston around 6pm, and we were left less than 30 minutes in the Quincy Market, to be taken to an expensive restaurant in Chinatown with no options but eating Chinese food or starve in a hotel in the middle of nowhere.

Considering all I explained before, and having fear for our safety, my friends and I left the tour, being forced to incur in more expenses like a hotel to spend the night and bus tickets to go back to NY on Sunday.

This was a nightmare from beginning to end. The information in your webpage is deliberately misleading in its description of the tour. It is not a tour suitable for non-Chinese people, you can hardly visit Yale University and Newport, the fact that the hotel is far away from Boston is never mentioned and above all, the bus didn’t fulfill the basic requirements to transport passengers.

From my perspective, this was not a holiday, but a very stressful experience that I would have done anything to avoid. It was distressing me and my friends and we lived from one crisis to the next, just begging for the chance to get to a safe place to get off the bus.

In the circumstances, we do not feel that is unreasonable to expect a full refund of the money paid to GoToBus following your misrepresentation of what you were offering. We expect, therefore, a refund of the full £225. If this sum is not forthcoming, we are quite prepared to take the matter to the appropriate authorities.

Yours faithfully,

Bel And The City

I don’t think they are going to give my money back, but well, I never loose hope.

If you want to laugh at me and my stupidity for purchasing a Chinese tour, look at my video, recorded just an hour before leaving the tour, when my friends were insulting and willing to kill the tour guide and the crying babies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07VXRsDaebQ

So I´m including some pictures of our tour, with Chinese fellow travelers, and then by ourself when we decided to leave the tour and find our way back to NY the day after with Greyhound.