Ecuador - Impressions of Quito

From Santiago I flew to my last destination Quito in Ecuador. After a short stop in Guayaquil we reached the airport. Quito (official name: San Francisco de Quito) is the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America. It is located in northern Ecuador in the Guayllabamba river basin on the eastern slopes of the Pichincha ( 15,728 ft; 4,794 m), an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. The city's elevation is 9,300 ft (2,850 m) above sea level (measured at the Plaza de la Independencia), making Quito the second highest capital city in the world. The city's population according to the most recent census (2001) was 1,399,378. In 2005, however, the estimated population was 1,865,541 (canton). The area of Quito is approximately 112 square miles (290 km²).

The new part of town is not really nice, although most of the tourist "life" happens there, however the old part of town is really beautiful, with lots of colonial style buildings and small little streets and alleys. It does not feel like a tourist center and it is primarily locals walking about and all the shops are geared towards the local population, very little touristy stuff. It felt like in every door entry there was a little business established, selling fruits and vegetables, meat, fish or different dishes. Sometimes I had no idea what it was that they were selling. I even ventured into a local hair dresser. I guess I was the first gringo customer ever and for about $2 I got quite a good haircut.




An old mansion being restored close to my hotel.


On Sunday there was an arts and crafts market in a park nearby. This band was playing and selling CDs. Very similar to Peruvian music.


I simply liked the contrast of old and new in this photo.

The "old" town was full of beautiful old buildings, the streets were closed to traffic except buses to convert the whole area in a pedestrian only zone for Sunday shopping.



The "Plaza de Armas" or main square.


One of the many little food stands in a doorway. I had no idea what type of food it was.

Again the contrast old and new, this small alley with old houses stretching up the hill side and on top some modern new facility (unfortunately I have no idea what it was).

In the park there were also lots of little food stands, fruit juices, BBQ and much more.