Our South American First
Ecuador, Quito
Quito is a colorful city and has a vibrant personality- it’s a perfect blend of urban and traditional cultures. On Sunday the streets were full of dancing and music, and were lined with artisan crafts and tourist souvenirs. Small garages were shops, and these shops ranged from Christmas decor, celebratory gifts and pinatas, common house hold necessities such as brooms and toilet paper, and shops with bags and bags of candies. We loved walking in and out of cathedrals - our favorite being the gilded and ornate Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco. We loved the old strip of cobble stone streets around La Ronda, where we ate ceviche and a potato/cheese/avocado soup. There were cocoa shops and shops with Alpaca wool clothing, and festive flags the arched over the roadsides.
There were many things that we read about, upon coming to Quito, that proved true. No one is out past a certain time, and it is not recommended to walk around after that time. Taxis are the best way to get around for foreigners who do not know english - and booking through the hotel is ideal, as a price is set and agreed upon. Another thing is true - cash is KING! Walking around with hundreds of dollars on your person is never a quiet, calm thought. But alas, it was absolutely necessary! I stashed some in my bra, my wallet, and secret pockets in our backpack. Unless you go to a well situated restaurant or store, cash is the only method of transaction.
Many of these photos show you the highlights of Quito, but also the countryside and how many people live here. We saw half built cement homes with signs of habitation, such as hung clothes and makeshift roofs of tine held down by tires and cement blocks. They have a whipped strawberry desert that you eat with fresh fruit that will make you fly back to Quito exclusively for. You can visit many Volcanoes within a short drive from the city, and we drove out to see Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve, where the fog rolled over the many peaks and adjoining farm land. Just north of the city is the large statue of the Virgin Mary, and once at her feet, you see the crowded and colorful city that she watches over.
Greatest Moment: The whipped strawberry dessert!! And it was in Quito that we booked our Galapagos cruise. It was such a relief, as we were at a loss at how best to see the islands without one. Last minute discount deals are the way to go - but only if there is flexibility in your stay. We were lucky to find room on a cruise boat that matched the days that we are on the islands, however it was apparent that that is not always the case. We found a great travel agency called Ecuatraveling just off the main Plaza Grande Square.
Worst Moment: We were in South America, with no idea how to speak Spanish. While we never had a bad encounter with anyone here, it wasn’t easy to get around seamlessly. And you of course, were the foolish ones for entering a country without knowing their language! Luckily, we wouldn’t have to struggle too long, or use too many hand gestures, to find someone to help bridge the gap in language. We brought a quick reference book on how to speak basic Spanish, which turned out to be great. Especially because most people were excited that you were trying to connect with them. As long as you try, you will always be met with kindness.
Lesson learned: Ecuador is named after “Equator”. At Mitad De Mundo, meaning the “Middle of the Earth”, there is a monument to signify the First Geodesic Mission in 1736, where a group of people set out to measure a meridian arc from zero latitude to the North Pole to determine the shape of the Earth and the Equatorial Strip. The ancient Quitu-cara people who inhabited this region for 1225yrs were able to determine the location of the middle of the world prior to the sophistication of the First Geodesic Mission.
Cultural Insight: There is a community within Ecuadorians, where you take care of your own. Locals give to the needy, and the stray dogs are given water and food. They are very family based, as we saw upon arrival at the Quito airport a large group of people with flowers, balloons, and even a Mariachi Band.
