I made it to my fifth continent in 12 months! Now if I can score a job in Antarctica I could make it to all seven…. Kidding (Mostly)

After my ridiculous travel day, I did finally make it to Quito at 5 in the morning. I got a taxi from the airport (which was very well organized and secure, given my warnings about taxi drivers in Quito pulling out weapons and demanding all your valuables) to the hostel where my Mom was staying. After about ten minutes of “who is your mother? What is her name? Are you sure she’s here?” They finally pulled out the ledger, I pointed to her name, and they said “oh yeah, right down the hall.” Pretty funny. I guess “Elizabeth” isn’t a common name down here.

The Spanish is nice and slow, easy to understand after my few days in Mexico. The climate is perfectly warm/cool, not hot as I would expect being 10 km from the equator.

I took a short nap and then we wandered around the city. They have what seems like zillions of grand old churches in the old section. We even paid $4 to go into the “Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesús,” which is considered the “utmost expression of the Baroque style in Ecuador,” and I’ve heard it called the most beautiful church in the Americas. No pictures were allowed inside but I did sneak this one as the security guard passed by. The whole inside is gilded with 23-carat good leaf.

The old part of the city looks almost European, with pretty little balconies and windowboxes. The mayoral elections were taking place this weekend and the central plaza seemed to be ground zero; police in riot gear and military were all over the place. We had lunch in a little hole-in-the-wall and 6 military guys came in and seemed to bully the poor waitress into giving them lunch. I’m not sure exactly, but it was very tense and Mom wanted to get out quickly.

The next day we hopped a short flight down to Cuenca, the third biggest city in Ecuador, and a major ex-patriot community. I’ve heard that 50% of the population are American or European but it does not look that way to me. The few other white people I’ve seen appear to be tourists like us. Maybe they’re living outside of the city.

Regardless, it is really lovely here. This city is much quieter and really quaint and safe feeling. None of the buildings in the old area are more than three stories. Streets are cobblestone and artisan shops are all over the place. They also have a bunch of colonial churches here; the “Old Cathedral,” from 1557 faces across the square the “New Cathedral,” completed in 1885 and the largest church in Ecuador.

One unexpected thing that I really like about this city are the murals that cover random side streets and empty spaces. It gives the city a wonderful mix of old architecture and new aristry.

“Walk with open eyes. The reforestation grows on the walls.”
This is the first time that I will be sleeping in the same bed for more than 3 nights since Wales (discluding California). I’m not sure if it will be grounding or boring. I’m planning day trips as my Mom takes a week of Spanish lessons here. We’ll see what adventures I can get into!