Blogs from Historical Center, Quito, North, Ecuador, South America - page 12

After departing Brisbane at 8.35 on Thursday 24 March 2011, we took 27 hours to Quito, via Auckland, Santiago (Chile) and Guayaquil (Ecuador). Quito is in the Andes, the capital of Ecuador and 2800metre above sea level (asl). Temperature was about 10 degrees when we arrived and had been raining. We stayed at Hotel Sabastian for the firtst night. San Francisco de Quito, most often called Quito (Spanish pronunciation: kito, is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in north-central Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river valley basin, on the eastern slopes of Pichincha, an active volcano in the Andes mountains. With a population of over 2 million, Quito is the second most populous city in Ecuador, after Guayaquil. It is also the capital of the Pichincha provice and the seat of ... read more

After the 2 day milk run through Seattle, Dallas Fort-Worth and Miami, we finally arrived in Quito. Immediately we felt the altitude. We arrived in the dark and rain, thankfully a driver waiting for us at the airport with a sign. On the way to the hostal the streets were EMPTY in the Old Town, everything sealed up for the night. Hostal Quito Cultural is only 2 blocks from Plaza Grande, right on the corner of a really busy intersection which is like a carnival from about 6am every day and then everyone is GONE by 8pm and it's considered unsafe to be on the street after that. There is nothing open, everything has metal doors sealed up to the street but inside all the buildings are courtyards open to the sky. What a beautiful day ... read more

Had an uneventful journey from Guayaquil to Quito took the bus again as the women said it would take 8 hours it didn't it took 10 because what she actually said was that it would arrive at 8pm, got to sort this Spanish out. Sat next to a little old lady she was only tiny but my god that women could take up space never known anyone fidget so much. Picked up a very friendly taxi driver from the station to the hotel who sang to me the whole way!! Not sure if thats always part of the service but thought it warranted a small tip. Staying in Quito old town which is all very Spanish colonial and has had a lot of work done on it to smarten up all the buildings. Went to the ... read more

As I lay in bed wishing I was asleep, while trying desperatly to ignore the gross gargling snore of one of our roommates, I realised we hadn't yet shared with you the joys of dorm room living! They are definatly interesting to say the least. In the main we have been staying in dorms with 3-5 bunkbeds so 6-10 people in each room-the sight of Tom clambering up to a top bunk is def a funny one and something not to be missed! Our hostels so far have been pretty good with the odd nasty one getting in our way but they are generally comfy, always safe (for Mum's and worry heads!) and usually pretty clean. What we are not getting used to is all the odd balls along the way. For the most part I'm ... read more

Decided to see a bit of the history of Quito today, so I went for a walk to the Basilica, . From the centre of the church looking towards the statue of Mary, one can see the statue through the small window at the end of the church. This is an extremely impressive church, made in the classic gothic style, beautiful leadlight windows abound, and as it is Xmas time, the inside of the church where the alter would be was decorated with a nativity scene. The outside of the church has many dragons and gargoyles facing outwards from the church presumably to ward off evil spirits. Renovation is happening here and some of the old lead lights have broken pieces which no doubt will eventually be repaired. After this I walked through the streets back ... read more