Quito is proud of its designation as the world's first UNESCO Heritage Site, and justifiably so. The old colonial heart of the city is extensive and impressively restored. One gets the sense that, in its colonial prime, the Spanish tried to create a city of ornate splendor, and they succeeded. Strangely, the central core, Independence Plaza, is not enormous, and it is bounded by the one modern building in the complex, the Town Hall, which stands out because of its plain-ness. It is the side streets, full of neo-classic and moorish facades, balconies and narrow streets, where Quito exudes charm. The churches are large and pretentious, especially the La Compania, whose gold leaf decor is over-the-top in opulence. I'm beginning to believe that Spanish churches have less to do in praising God, and more to do with praising man's faith in God ... the more fervent the desire to express the faith, the more corrupt the faith becomes. Churches here also rent out space on lower levels to small businesses ... well, God helps those who help themselves.
Quito is busy, important, and starting to swagger a bit with its new success. It is a good thing that it has managed to hold on to its heart.
In the afternoon, we visited a park straddling the equator for photo-ops, water demonstrations, egg and balancing tricks, stuffed animals and shrunken heads. An odd collection for an odd place. Take one step from the equator's red line and you're in the northern hemisphere, take another and you're south: just don't try to close your eyes and walk the actual equator line: you won't pass any sobriety test on the equator.
Tomorrow, the Galapagos, where I'm sure I'll eat less food !!
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