El Centro Histórico
One benefit of this program through UBECI is that volunteers get an extra day off on Mondays. So, after our morning meeting I spent the day with a few other volunteers roaming around Old Town Quito, or El Centro Histórico. Upon disembarking the trolley, it's immediately apparent that one has entered a completely different area of town. This place reminds me of Europe! With it's narrow, cobblestone streets, colorful balconies, and lights strewn between buildings, Old Town carries the appearance of centuries long lost.
Street in Old Town
First on our list was lunch (of course). After learning that most places wouldn't reopen until 3pm, we landed in a nice little restaurant where we ordered two of each empanada served - con queso, de verde, and...well...something else that we never did identify. It would have taken quite the appetite to devour these culinary treats. And as Adam Richman would say in the battle of Man vs. Food, on Monday, the empanada was the victor.
Restaurant serving empanadas and secos
Regardless, we were sufficiently fueled for some serious hiking through these hills, and our first stop was the Cathedral in La Plaza Grande. Here lie the remains of Antonio José de Sucre, a colonel who won the decisive battle in the liberation of Quito from Spanish control, and was subsequently the first president of the Quito provence. Two of us opted to pay $1 for a guided tour, which was entirely in Spanish. However, an Argentine couple joined us early in the tour, and they were able to translate our confusion into, well, less confusion.
Cathedral courtyard
Where in the world is Chris?
Plaza Grande
Our next stop was the Basílica del Voto Nacional (Basilica of the National Vow), a gorgeous church whose construction began in 1892. Though the church itself will not reopen to the public until July 5th, visitors can pay $2 to ascend the towers and behold the incredible views of Quito. And that is exactly what we did. Behold...
Basílica del Voto Nacional
Basílica side view
Basílica Sanctuary
Quito and La Virgen de Panecillo from the Basílica
Basílica Towers
Quito from the Basílica
Our exit from the Basilica led us down the hill to the monument of Simón Bolívar, El Libertador of Latin America from Spain, and president of Gran Colombia from 1819 to 1830, following his defeat of the Spanish Monarchy. Not surprisingly, he and Señor Sucre were friends.
Monument of Simón Bolívar
Though there is much more to see in Old Town, it will have to wait for another day, or maybe another trip. As for this coming weekend, a trip to Otovalo is planned, where we're excited to partake in the craziness of the festival of St. John the Baptist. Until next time...