The Ambato Alternative.

After a restful weekend in Margarita Ville, a little sun, a little rain and mostly cloudy, I returned Sunday evening to the big city of Ambato. As I was walking from the bus stop to my abode which is two block from the city center I heard music coming from the Montalvo Park. I changed directions and found the National Band playing to a few of the locals so I parked myself on a bench and spent an hour listening to the music.

Music and the arts are part of the life here...At least two or three nights a week there is something going on that is free or almost free. Friday night there was a performance at the New Acropolis Center. It was billed as new musical talent so I decided to stay the night and check it out. It wasn't great talent but it was defiantly worth the price of two cups of coffee ($0.50 each). There were about 15 people in attendance which was almost standing room only. This coming Friday they will show a film, Memories of a Geisha.

International tourism is not a big business here. Although the city center is an interesting area, the rest of the city has not got much to offer. The finest hotel, Hotel Ambato and Casino, has around 20 rooms and is soon to be out classed by the soon to open Emperador Hotel and Casino with a total of 63 rooms and suites.

On my first all night visit to the city I stayed at the Hotel Garibaldii which is close to the bus station. The room comes with a cover-free entrance to their special club in in the basement. This club offers girls of all shapes, sizes and nationalitiess that are for rent by the hour or the night. The room cost was only $12 per night, the towels and sheets were clean but the noise in the hallways all night long indicated that most of the clients preferred the hourly rate to the all night stay. Sorry, but I do not have any first hand information as to the quality of the merchandise.

Well that is it for the Ambato scene. If you plan to visit Baños, why not spend a night in Ambato. I would love to invite you for a coffee and a little conversation in English.