Bummer. Maybe it was bad 20 years ago, but from the perspective of a kid who could get all around the city at age 15, it was fantastic. We did also hitchhike by jumping into the backs of trucks too... those were the days.
No I just spent 6 months working there and studying Spanish. Loved the city in general but it does have very real safety issues. I was never robbed myself (I'm 6'3" and scary looking) but every single other person I know who has lived or visited Quito was robbed at least once, usually multiple times. My local Spanish teacher was robbed 4 times in 3 months.
You're not still there are you?