It has been 11 years that I have been in Quito! In March 2000 I stayed a month in Quito and did an intensive Spanish course. Quito is still known as one of the best places to study Spanish. The classes are cheap and good. I have really good memories and it was much fun with the group of international students.

At that time I stayed in Mariscal, which is the going out area of Quito. I had my own small apartment and in the same street there were 2 bars and one discotheque and no hostels. And that was it, for the whole area.

When I arrived again I couldnxb4t believe my eyes. The whole area is converted in a big going out area. In a radius of 10 blocks I counted around 50 hostels, hundred restaurants, bars and discotheques. Mariscal has now also a nice plaza which some big restaurants with terraces. And of course with all the tourist places here, there are a lot of tourists walking around here. Itxb4s incredible that it has changed that much in around 5 years only (People told me it was especially the last 5 years that is has developed like it is now).

One thing hasnxb4t changed, it is still dangerous at night time in this area. I didnxb4t really noticed it that much, except of the presence of a lot of police.