Convento San Agustin

(Quito, Ecuador)- One of the highlights of the guided tour of Old Town was an old colonial church, convent, and monastery called El Convento San Agustin. 

It houses some of Ecuador's treasures- its' documents of independence, and restored paintings from the prolific Miguel de Santiago.

The paintings were a marvel to me, especially because they are stored outdoors. These are national treasures, but they can be stored outside because the weather is rarely very humid. My kind of place.

Quito's Declaration of Independence from Spain.

One of Miguel de Santiago's numerous restored paintings. The ornate nature of the church and convent reminded me a great deal of The Alhambra, in Grenada, Spain. There are connections, of course, thanks to the colonial ties of Ecuador to Spain. I especially noticed Moorish details in the stonework on the walkways, although the golden pineapples on the ceiling is also reminiscent. And yes, it is real gold on the frame of the painting, and on the pineapples.

School Days Begin

(Quito, Ecuador)- The main focus of the first two weeks of the trip is the immersion into the Spanish language. Ame & I are students at La Academia Latinoamericana de Espanol, in Quito's New Town.

For our first day, we actually did not have instruction. Instead, there was a guided tour of Quito's Old Town, which was a bit repetitious given our activity Sunday. But it was also an opportunity to get to know our fellow newbies.

Newbies: Mike, Ella (?), (?), Ame, Richard (South Africa), Hanna (Portland, OR), Lindsey (Portland), Joelle (Switzerland), Maura (Brooklyn NY), and Rod (England). Unfortunately, June (China) and Bas (Holland) did not make the photo.

Bas, after clowning at the side of a Presidential Guard, at Ecuador's Presidential Palace.

El Panecillo

(Quito, Ecuador)- After eating at Cafe Mosaico, we decided to take a cab to El Panecillo- The Virgin of Quito- for a closer look. 

Of course, being atop a high hill lent itself to more excellent views, but here's a look at the monument itself, plus some of the stained glass windows in the base of the monument.

Link to more info on El Panecillo, via wikipedia.

Quito Streets

(Quito, Ecuador)- I love the views away from the central city, where you can see mountains behind the colonial buildings. The first photo really shows it well.

Ame chases after Isabel down Calle Sucre, in Old Town.

One of the streets leading up to the restaurant.

Sky High Restaurant

We walked across the Old Town to the east, getting away from the crowded commercial center into a more residential area towards a perfect lunch spot with a view. The guide book highly recommended this restaurant, Cafe Mosaico for the view, if not the food.

El Panecillo- the Virgin of Quito- looms in the background. Mike catches his breath.

The guide book did not disappoint. The many, many stairs up the steep hill were well worth the crash course in adjusting to high altitudes. The view was awesome! The balcony is enclosed, because you really don't want to fall from this height. The food was good, too. Mostly a Greek menu, which was surprising.

Isabel walked all of the stairs, too- at her insistence!

Exploring Quito's "Old Town"

There are two major town square areas in the Old Town is the Plaza de Santo Domingo, anchored by the Church & Convent of Santo Domingo.

Ame carried Isabel in a backpack for a while.

It was a perfect, sunny day- and again, the mountains in the background are always spectacular.

First Day Pics

We arrived late Friday evening, but wasted no time on Saturday, getting into Quito's "New Town". This is north of the "Old Town", where the Spaniards initially constructed their city after the conquest of the Incas. A portion of New Town is very touristy, prompting locals to derisively call it, "Gringolandia".

The Andes Mountains are in view everywhere in Quito. Coming from a flat place like Indiana, even common views are exhilerating!

Update: I figured out the trick with Blogger and the upload speeds. For whatever reason, the pictures have to be uploaded before the text is added, and two pictures is all it will allow. Don't ask me to explain, but at least I can finally get pictures here!