11 enero – Historic Old Town Quito
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 to and fro. There were quite a few students, all recognizable as such because they are all in uniform. Indigenous people in their garb sell a variety of things from lottery tickets to beautiful scarves. The stores are mostly tiny.
I headed to the main plaza and visited three churches; La Compania de Jesus, Iglesia de la Merced, and Iglesia de San Francisco, all with incredible gold leaf work.The amount of gold at the alters is over whelming. I wandered until I got tired and then headed towards the bus stop. Somehow I got turned around and when I asked a man on the street where we were/which direction was the bus stop, he told me to take a taxi. So, I did and in about 10 minutes I was back at the host family home.
Glad to hear that things are going well. And did I hear that you went over to the dark side with a Kindle? Great to not have to lug bags of books around no? Having fun looking at the pics too.
Yes! It’s great to not have a ton of books in my bag. My mom loaned me her Kindle with a Frommer’s, this month’s book club book and “Talking in Bed” by my favorite author Antonya Nelson. Many things I like and some things I don’t like about it.