Quito Part Two

Monday January 26th, Otavalo
We were rudely interrupted during the last post by uploading problems. However, we'll try again.

 Our first stop in the Quito old town was the Basilica del Voto Nacional. There's a rickety ladder to climb up to the top but we were feeling a little shaky so we didn't bother.

Anita the tourist is in front of the Basilica.

From there we walked down to the Plaza Grande, the Plaza San Francisco and around the old town. We toured through the Compania de Jesus, which is an extremely elaborate Jesuit cathedral with walls and ceiling covered with sculptures finished in gold leaf. It took 160 years to build.

 

The next morning, Friday, we rode the Teleferiquo gondola up the mountain but could hardly see anything because it was overcast and cloudy at the top.

There was a good musician up there anyway.

On Saturday morning, Ashley and Will, some friends of our niece Hannah, toured us through the school where they work, Carolinas park and a huge modern shopping mall where we had lunch.

In the afternoon we took a cab up to La Mitad del Mundo, the middle of the earth, just north of Quito.  I'm still having internet problems so I'll publish this and try again.