Summer in Ecuador : Our first Saturday in Quito

Saturday was another very busy day. We met our tour guide again, Juan Carlos, and he took us on a tour around the city. It was fun because we were able to walk around and see more whereas Friday we spent a lot of time traveling in the car. Quito is an interesting city. Of course it is beautiful and unique just like every other old city, but it is populated with very poor and homeless people. Sometimes it made parts of the city very dirty and uncomfortable for tourists. However, our tour guide did a great job taking making sure we were all safe and together.

Our first stop in Quito was a history museum. The museum is housed in an old hospital and taught us quite a bit about Ecuador and how the city has evolved. Afterwards we went down a street called La Ronda, it is the oldest street in the city. The street really comes alive at night with bars and restaurants so during the day there is not much to see there. We also toured a cathedral in Quito. Unfortunately we were not able to take pictures in the cathedral, but believe me when I say it was beautiful. All of the walls were covered in gold, it was quite the sight. Before we left the city's center, we had a traditional Ecuadorian sandwich. It was pork, tomatoes, and onions on a bun. It was not my favorite dish but it was not bad.

After Quito we took a gondola to one of the highest points in the city. It was a little scary because we were so high. The point was beautiful but we did not spend much time there because all there was to do was take pictures and look around. But it was fun and beautiful non the less.

Following our trip on the gondola we went to have lunch in downtown Quito. The lunch was absolutely delicious. I had breaded shrimp with rice. Shrimp is one of Ecuador's largest exports and it is very tasty. You might be thinking to yourself "Wow they eat a lot!" and yes you are right. All we do here is eat. It is exhausting.

Our last stop of the day was the Center of the World! We actually got to stand on the equator. It was a little anti-climatic, but hey at least I can say I've been in two hemispheres at once! We took pictures on the line, toured the museum and shopped in the market. We decided it might be time to leave when it was dark and there was nobody else in the park :)

When our host family picked us up from our day in the city, they took us (and two other girls from our group who are staying with my host family's daughter) to their son Henry's house. He was having a small party and we joined them. We played Trivial Pursuit and it lasted for hours. Carla, Amanda, Lauren and I were EXHAUSTED and the game was never ending. However, we had fun! Sunday we get to spend the whole day with our host family. It should be fun!

(pictures will follow soon!)