Travis leans in and tells us the "Cubra Libre" is his favorite drink.

Inside the band plays US pop hits by Paul Simon and the Spin Doctors, an amusing juxtaposition for a Cuban-themed bar. Most of us order Pilseners, the local beer we'll become well acquainted with in the next 2 weeks.

We occupy a table outside, snacking on empanatas and watching the blend of foreign travelers and Ecuadorians stroll by on the sidewalk. Down the street a line of people wait to get into the No Bar, and across the street from there, another line waits for internet terminals to free up at Papaya.Net.