First Day in Quito

July 7 Mon.

First day in Quito.

The plane ride to Miami seemed quick as did the flight from MIAMI to Quito but the lay -over was a killer in Miami!

Quito is exquisite. The town is situated in a valey surrounded by the Andes. When I woke up in the morning and opened the curtains, the first thing I saw was the tall lush green  mountain side! It is kind of chilly here, but very fresh air and  very colorful.

We first visited the Mindalae Museo Ethnohistorio de Artesanias del Ecuador near by our hotel. The museum has a small collection of pottery, masks, jewelry, fibers used for hammocks, hats, shaman exhibit of herbs, tonics and a way cool REAL shrunken head.

Our next stop was to the Guayasamin Museo, a museum in a beautiful location in the mountains. The museum is a collection of  the artist´s private collection of remarkable paintings and sculptures. It was breath taking. I bought an original silk screen print by the artist!!!

I am sorry NO pixs yet because this computer in our hotel does not have a USB port so I will need to use Diane´s laptop tomorrow in order to down load all of the zillions of pictures I took.

Just before lunch we went to  the main cathedral in Quito ¨Iglesia de la  Compañia de Jesus. Built in 1605 , all the work was done by mestizo craftsman…70 tons of gold. Ornate is not the proper word to describe this place. As I was entering the church I was shocked to receive a cell phone call from DAVID…¨Oh my gosh I can´t believe you´re calling me in Quito…¨how much did this cost you…¨David you and WILL RETURN to Ecuador together soon. This is an amazing place.

Lunch was delicious. many of us ate the plato tipico… I ate mote´a large white corn, patanos, and chocho ( a bean) con sedo (yummy chunks of pork). A typical dish always includes pork, corn and or potatoes.

Afterwards, a walk through the main plaza. I loved looking at all the many expressions of the faces. Old men sitting around taking, mamas carrying their babies on their backs, a group of peope carrying signs protesting some sort of govermental injustice. I love it!!!

Now, it is the end of the day. I am exhausted. Each day we take turns being the ¨leader¨of the group (there are 14 of us). So, tomorrow is my day… Should be interesting. We are off to Otavalo by bus. We will be placed with our host family and begin studying spanish in the morning, tour of the city and surrounding areas in the afternoon. I think we will be there for 8 days.

Hey. thanks to everyone following my blog… This is so cool I have been bessed to have this unique experience. Please keep posting your comments. Pictures soon!!!! Love Elena

Chevare´( Way Cool! -Ecuador slang)

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