Ecuador - Quito/ Old town

5-08-2011

Spent the morning getting ready for my roughing out tour, haircut, pedicure and facial, all set.

Afternoon in the old town, guided by a metropolitan police. There were only three of us and funnily enough it was a lady who worked in the same hospital as Jeevan in Perth and is on our tour too.

This was the policeman's first English tour and we had fun trying to help him find the words. Started at Plaza Grande, Independence day is tomorrow so a lot was happening here. At the Independence monument, with liberty on the top, there were a lot of wreaths around. The Cathedral on one side, Municipal buildings on another, the Presidential palace and a shopping area completed the square.

From there we went to La Compania, a stunning church. Baroque styled facade and gold filled interiors. Saint Mariana is buried at the main altar. The bell tower has been destroyed in a fire so the bells are placed on the ground inside.

Iglesia de San Francisco was next. The attached museum had a lot of religious art, some quite gruesome crucifixion statues but saw a new form of paintings, on marble , impressive.

Last was the old hospital built in the 16th century, now a museum displaying the various civilisations through the centuries in Ecuador.

Ate some raw mango and fresh coconut, felt like I was in India and Sri Lanka.

Met with our tour group in the evening. Had a group dinner and drinks afterwards, everybody seems nice, so far.


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