Tag: Quito

Leaving Quito

We left Quito this morning at 6: 30 heading for Cuenca.  Every morning and evening we could see the volcano out our window and the lights of Quito twinkle on.  We did not go up the mountain to visit the Angel of Quito because we want to share that moment with Thomas when he comes.  But she got a nod every day and used her as a guide when we got confused by Quito’s winding streets.  The volcano changed daily.  Sometimes she was blanketed with clouds and she  disappeared completely.  Sometimes she stood dramatically against a blue, blue, sky.  Always she was there.  Just like the neighbor’s dog who would woof- woof at us when we sat of the balcony or leaned out the window to watch the neighborhood change with the light and the time.  From the plane window we watched Quito fade away giving way to verdant mountains, peasant villages and eventually to only clouds.  An hour later we were in Cuenca,  in a different apartment, exploring a new neighborhood, waiting to see what is out there.

Adios, Sally

Advent Begins

Part of the joy of travel is the wonderful and unexpected surprises one happens upon.  We left a rather solemn artist display in Bella Vista and asked the taxi driver to drop us off at the Plaza Independencia.  He could not get any closer than four blocks away so he dropped us off at the VOTA Basilica and we received an early Christmas present.  A two hour long parade to introduce the Christmas season unfolded before us.  Indigenous dancers in native costume danced toward the cathedral.  Skirts swirled, flags waved, sombreros bobbed as the dancers performed uphill no less.  A group from the Amazon had donned feathers, made bird calls and stopped to shoot Roman candles. Clowns handed out candy to the children.   Military band, high school bands, middle school bands beat drums, struck bell lyres, and played their instruments rather badly but so enthusiastically.  The only melody we recognized was THE BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC which struck me as an odd choice.   Age did not deter the performers.  Some were very young and their parents were close by with water for them; some had seen a number of parades in their life time.  I made friends with a couple who proudly pointed out their son and who were going to visit Houston.  I can only hope that they will enjoy their visit as much as we have enjoyed ours. Below are just a few shots Troy made.  Click and enjoy

Adios,  Sally

From the Plaza through the “sweetest street”

 

 

 

 

 

Today was another mixture of pageantry and antiquity.  Every month a new Battalion comes to the presidential palace to serve as guards.  This is quite an event.  The old lancers march away from the place, new lancers take their place, bands play and horses carry the cavalry to some mysterious somewhere.  The band plays the National Anthem and a lot of John Phillip Sousa.  A good time was had by all.

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The President and Miss Quito applaud the changing of the Guard.

 

img_9641The band played as the lancers left and new one came on board.  Bet you can spot the secret service agent.  Marines in full attack gear were at the ready.

 

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The funny thing is that most of these officials were waving, blowing kisses and checking their cell phones.

 

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This market sells everything from coffee and ice cream to beautifully crafted clothing and linens.  All at a good price just for you lady.

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The Andean pan flute player depended on technology to sell his haunting melodies.  One of my favorite moments of the day.

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The Arca de Reina that leads to the Ronda the oldest street in the city.img_9674

Plaza San Francisco.  Part of really antique Quito.  The outside does not do justice to the interior of this church.

 

The Next Morning

This is the sight from our window.  The gold and white building is a basilica and the Gothic cathedral behind it offers the opportunity to climb to the top for great views of Quito.  We definitely won’t do much climbing today.  We walked uphill to breakfast.  We purchased 2 bisochos, 2 empanadas, and 2 ingritos , 2 jugos naranja and 2 bottled waters  for 3 dollars.  It seemed like a good deal to me.  For $1.25 we added two mangos, 4 banana and two papayas from the fruiteria and coffee and milk from the convenience store came to another 3 dollars.  Troy shared part of our treasure with a Viejo who seemed very grateful.  That little trek wore us out.  We are following everyone’s advice and taking these first days at a slow pace.  We are about to check out lunch and the Mercado.

 

 

 

Midnight in Quito

Troy and I arrived in Quito at roughly midnight and took a taxi into the city.  Our landlord met us at a hotel and brought us to our apartment which is in the Zona Colonial.  The apartment has all of the amenities of home, but most importantly a bank of windows and a private patio give us a view of Quito.  Tonight it sparkles with lights.  The Basilica fills one window and the Cathedral another.  The area is very quiet.  Narrow streets do not encourage traffic and of course shops and restaurants are closed.  Our next big adventure will be to find the supermarket and bakery.  Man does not live on vistas alone.  We have been warned to take it easy and stay hydrated.  High altitude is not your friend.  And so to bed.