I visited the basilica today. Its modeled after Pariss Norte-Dame and reminds me very much of it. Its shape and the round stained glass windows seem like a direct copy. The large central nave with concrete and marble make this space cool and quiet. The stained glass is fabulous and they each probably represent a story thats told in the
I took the city bus north to Mitad del Mundo, literally “Middle of the Earth”. I think riding any bus here is a crowded noisy proposition. I stood for a while and then, as we got further and further north, more and more people got off. I sat for a while next to a woman in tradition clothing: hat, wrap
Half the fun getting to the monument was the ride. The bus is huge, the roads narrow, so there can be some tricky maneuvering. There were great views of the densely packed housing that is Quito from the open air top of the bus. When I got off I told the driver her was “fantastico”! The statue itself is 148
New to Quito is the double decker red tour bus. Its $12 and stops at 12 places. Its a steal, if you ask me. I could have spent twice that much in taxi fares. Because the bus is new, it gets as quite a lot of attention from people on the street. Today people looked, waved and smiled as we
While on the coast I observed, or rather heard, the men on the street whistle to each other. They communicate with each other, whether it be a greeting or a way to get someones attention so they can have a conversation or do business, for example, to hail the moto-taxi or give someone a lead on a tourista needing some
At a little taller than 57, Im on the tall side for an American woman. Here, in Ecuador, I feel like a giant. Im taller than all of the women and almost all the men, sometimes a whole head taller. In the US, Im used to being taller than a good number of woman but to tower over the men
It is Marthas birthday today and she turns 50. You wouldnt know it to look at her. I dont think she has one gray hair and her skin is bonita. She showed up today with a new hair cut. Yesterday she had hair at least halfway down her back and today it was cut as short as mine. I took
After class I felt like getting out of the urban setting so after a big lunch ($4) I set out for Parque La Carolina. Its a huge place and within just moments of entering the din of the traffic reduced. Some days the noise pollution is overwhelming. Im sensitive to sounds/noise as it is and there just doesnt seem to
Were moving into new Spanish territory, so to speak, and its a good challenge. It feels slow and I keep reminding myself that its not a race, Im not being ranked, and I have nothing to prove. Still . About three quarters through our session today, in a low voice Martha said something in Spanish and then said Son of a
I took the bus to Old Town, the Historic part of town. Using the Frommers and a map from the tourist information place, I figured out how to take the bus. The buses are crowded, probably because the fare is only 25 cents. And, if youre a senior its half price. The narrow cobblestone streets are busy with people going