Tour of old town Quito

Frequent flier miles are a wonderful way to travel. Michael and I were lucky enough to get to Quito on them. But we failed to realize one thing - everything in the city, including most restaurants and the hotel room service, is closed for the entire time between Christmas and New Years! After a couple of days of acclimating to the elevation, Michael and I set out to explore old town Quito. Our first stop was the glorious Basilica del Voto Nacional, a magnificent cathedral with steeples reaching upwards more than 115 meters that sits atop a hill overlooking the city. We visited on a Sunday when services were being held to celebrate Dia de los Reyes (Day of the Kings.) The basilica itself is famous for its "gargoyles" which include a menagerie of local animals such as armadillos, crocodiles, and lizards. The stain glass windows are also spectacular. After some time at the basilica, we walked down into the heart of old town to the Plaza Grande, a sixteenth century plaza the is the political focal point of colonial Quito. Street performers, indigenous craftsmen, and lots of families crowded the streets, enjoying a wonderfully warm day. We had a tasty lunch in the Centro Cultural Metropolitano and art museum and headed back to our hotel in new town. A great day! Today, we leave for the Ecuadorian countryside and Andes mountains. We are looking forward to our next adventure, and we will update you all as soon as we can! Love, Chandler and Michael