Quito, Ecuador

Quito was the first city we visited as part of our "Quito to Casablanca" voyage.  Cassio discovered that with some careful planning and research, and if you have some time to spare, you can split up your flights and have stop overs that last a few days.  This is how we got to visit the capital of Ecuador for "free".

Quito is located in a valley, but is still high in the mountains and breathing is a bit tougher, climbing stairs and even gentle slopes.  It was well worth visiting though.  We both especially like places that have not been over-run with tourists and tourism business in general.  This old city is full of history and was at one time quite a religious centre.  There are many impressive churches.

Everything we saw and everywhere we went was really designed for locals, including this gathering in a park on a Sunday.  We saw families enjoying themselves.  There was a craft market, but really, the atmosphere was relaxed, not pushy or desperate with the vendors.

Being high in the mountains, Quito is quite cool and moist and grey for most of the year.  There is not a huge range in temperature.  That being said, we would start the day bundled up with down jackets, sweaters and scarves and by 11am, were down to wearing t shirts in the sun.

A view of the cathedral from downtown.

Day 2 was both foggy and rainy, but it didn't dampen our mood.  It was misty and tranquil.

The ant eater gargoyle on the church looks kinda friendly, kinda menacing!

Another view of Quito showing the mountainside in the clouds in the background.

This was the courtyard of the public library or some public building.

Every Monday at 11 am, the President of Ecuador comes out of the Palace to greet his people.  There is a procession of guards and horses and a marching band.  The people seemed to like and approve of their president, which is a nice thing. As luck would have it, we were there!

Downtown Quito is mainly comprised of Colonial style, European architecture.  On the hills, many of the houses looked like boxes with big square window "eyes".

This is the gold covered church, La Compania de Jesus.  Ok, I apologize for this one, but I asked Cassio to take a photo of the church, which we weren't supposed to do, because I was so impressed.  Everything was gilded in gold!

Waving to the president and guards on horses in the background.