Hi, I see this thread has not been active lately, and just had an interesting fact on coca tea. I hope this post is o.k., not about a vendor or anything in particular except the subject of the thread.
A few years ago I flew--not a big world traveler, single, retired, modest income--to Quito, Ecuador--not shilling for Ecuador. Because the capital is so high, lots of those arriving suffer from altitude sickness. Ecuador is a very strict country about alcohol and any drugs. I guess the population used to get drunk a lot, so when a new govt. took control about 8 years ago they clamped down on everything. You have to search the city to find a government sponsored liquor store for beer, anything. But, any hotel you have booked, either in the new tourist section or the older parts of town--that was me--offer coca tea as soon as you get to your room to take care of the altitude sickness. It's in in bags, like tea bags, and is free, and acts as a mild calmative and stomach reliever. You can buy it in boxes in any store in the city. You have to have exact change, they get pissed if they have to give you change. So, you can't find a beer, but you can get your coca tea anywhere. You'd have to load up the cup with tea bags to get anywhere close to a "rec" level, but it's a very civilized way to overcome altitude sickness.
SG