Day 11: Quito, Ecuador: May 8th: Today we explored this very large city of 3 million people, starting at the market where the locals shop, then on to the Colonial Quito, and the Botanical Gardens.
There is a shrine to Michael the Archangel in the entrance to the Mercado La Carolina. We counted three of these in the market, which is interesting since 80% of the population is Catholic.
There were many meat sections in the market. I explained to trip members what some of the items were.
Ecuador is known for it seafood. There were all the different kinds of shrimp! We learned that shrimp is one of Ecuador’s major exports.
There were several fruits and vegetables we were not familiar with and the vendors were very helpful in explaining their offerings.
We also learned that 80% of the roses in the USA come from Ecuador; roses are also a major export. Each of the ladies in our group and local guide enjoying the lovely roses.
We toured the area of the presidential palace. There were Presidential Guards dressed in Colonial uniforms standing guard at the Palace. They have two hour shifts and change the guard inside the palace.
We saw a street entertainer in Colonial Quito near the Church of The Compania of Jesus.
Outside of the Church of The Compania of Jesus. This church is famous and has the title of the most beautiful in South America. The inside has 7 tons of gold leaf decorating practically everything. It was built from 1605 to 1765.
I got one photo inside the Church of The Compania of Jesus before I was told that they were prohibited. You can see where the 7 tons of gold leaf went and why it took so long to complete. It was stunningly beautiful.
This is an area of Quito know as La Ronda which houses art studios during the day and has a hopping bar scene at night.
One of the things the OAT does is discuss locally controversial topics. We were able to speak to a sex worker on the street. Prostitution is neither lawful or unlawful in Ecuador. “Nellie” is president of the local union of female sex workers.
We had lunch at a restaurant overlooking the city, with amazing views. The Colonial center of the city is where you see the white church towers.
We had a few hours free and decided to checkout the Quito Botanical gardens. I limited the photos that follow because I could do a separate post on them, but the flowers were amazing!
The flowers are stunning, the blooms were hanging off the branches of a tree. This is what can bloom when you live this close to the equator.