Exploring Quito

This morning we got on the bus with our Ecuadorean guide, Edgar, and a local guide, Lorena.  Our first stop was the Sinamune School for people with disabilities such as Down Syndrome, deafness, and blindness.  The students gave a concert of music and local dance - including audience participation.  It was fun, touching and joyful!  (I'll post a few videos after we get home and I figure out how!)

This is Lorena and the Maestro who started the school:

Edgar dancing with the kids:

After the singing and dancing, we went downstairs to a gift shop where we bought local crafts at great prices - all proceeds going to the school.

Back on the bus, we headed to Quito's historical district.  At Independence Plaza, we saw government buildings including the Presidential Palace.  We arrived just as they were having the ceremony of the changing of the guard.  And on Monday mornings, the President comes out onto the balcony, if he's available.  We waited and watched - only the Vice President this morning!  There were drums, live marching band music, and crowd sang their national anthem. (video to be posted eventually)

We visited a church where the entire inside was covered in gold leaf (no photos allowed)

Then walked a short way to San Francisco Square:

We had lunch across the square at the most expensive hotel in Quito.

Next we walked down the famous La Ronda Street until we came upon a chocolate shop.  Ecuadorean Cocoa beans are world renown!  The owner explained how chocolate is made and gave us samples of chocolate nibs and dark chocolate.  And, of course, we all bought some!

As we headed back to the bus, our guides explained that we would be walking through the "red light" district.  Prostitution is legal in Ecuador.  Edgar brought over a young woman who agreed to talk to us about her work as a prostitute.  She was 25 years old and had been working 4 years while her mother took care of her two daughters in a coastal town.  It was an interesting encounter.

Back at the hotel, we rearranged our suitcases AGAIN as we prepare to go to the Galapagos

Islands tomorrow.  I managed to spend an hour at the craft market 4 blocks away.

We leave our hotel tomorrow morning a 4:45 am!  

NO internet access for the next 4-5 days means NO blog entries can be posted until we return to Quito.  See you then!