Things I did my first 6 days in Quito, Ecuador

Let the city recaps begin! 

The last 6 days I've been living with my close friend Nydia and her family in the capital of Ecuador: Quito. It's a city of 1.6 million people with an altitude of 9350 feet. My favorite thing about the city in general is how the houses and apartments are situated on the edges of mountains.

My first day here I didn't know where to look because there were gorgeous views on every side of the street. It doesn't matter if it's day or night- the views are amazing! 

 Some of the things I have experienced this week are:

La bienvenida: My welcome to Quito

The Spanish word "bienvenida" often means more than just "welcome." It means that whoever is welcoming you will do their best to take care of you, to make you comfortable, and to seek ways to help you enjoy where you are even if it inconveniences them. My friends here in Quito have certainly given me "la bienvenida." 

Some examples: 1.They have fed me while looking out for my health because it's easy to get sick the first few days at this altitude. 2.They have given me rides to tourist sites. 3. They have invited me to join them going to nice restaurants and enjoy some fun times.    

El museo de la ciudad 

The first day I was here, I went to this museum. It was nice and informative, but while I was there, I realized that I prefer to enjoy nature and spectacular views than walk around inside. 

Los mercados: Santa Clara y Artesanal 

El mercado Santa Clara is a large market with all kinds of food. I love going to markets because of how colorful they are! They even have restaurants inside where they cook the food you see at the different stands. El mercado Artesanal only sells things made in Ecuador. I bought a sweater there because I didn't realize how cold Quito would be. I'll probably try to go to markets in each city because they are so different from our stores in the U.S. 

La plaza Foch

This is probably my favorite area of Quito so far. It's filled with cafe's, restaurants, bars, and discotecas para bailar. It's a social area where people park a little ways away and then walk around the entire area. I've met up with my friend Jenniffer at a cafe there, and I went to a restaurant and bar with other friends (Karina, Hamilton) and watched the Ecuador vs.Brasil f'utbol game. It's also a secure area with police around and plenty of other visitors checking out Quito. If I didn't have friends already in Quito, I would be highly interested in staying at the hostel nearby la plaza Foch for the experience.

La Ronda 

La Ronda is similar to la plaza Foch in that it is a social place. It's located in one of the oldest areas of the whole city where each building has balconies. My friends told me that it's famous for serenades where men, while standing in the cobblestone street, would sing and play their guitars to women outside on the balconies. So romantic!!!

Now the buildings are homes to live music, dancing, and delicious restaurants. On Friday night, I met up with some good friends (Hamilton, Jehny, Tamara, Nydia) at a restaurant there. The reason I prefer La plaza Foch to La Ronda is because people did not stop looking at me in La Ronda because I stood out with my white skin, whereas in La plaza Foch people are used to foreigners walking around.

I would like to visit La Ronda again during the day and see how I feel about it after that.  

La mitad del mundo: The Middle of the World 

This is a famous monument in South America. Since Ecuador is on the equator- it can be said that this monument is in the middle of the world. It's a very picturesque area and made specifically for tourists. I enjoyed all the fun pictures we took there, but I struggle to enjoy any place made specifically for the commercial business of tourism. Even so, I couldn't be in Quito and not visit this monument.

Fantasias: Patinaje sobre hielo    

My friend Tamara invited me to come to an ice skating show that her and her husband had worked together to organize. Each act of the show was full of Disney characters ice-skating to the most famous songs of their movies.It was really good and reminded me of my childhood when I used to watch Michelle Kwan. Tamara told me that ice-skating rinks are extremely rare in South America so it was extra special that they were able to have this show.

The best thing I did this week: 

While visiting different unique places is fun..I can't really express how blessed I feel to be with some of my friends again. Whether it's laughing with Nydia and her family, grabbing dinner with Jenniffer, dancing with Jehny, picking on Hamilton, ice-skating with Tamara, or watching a futbol game with Karina and her boyfriend, I love spending time with these people. 

Coming up next week 

I will be in 3 different cities next week.. Otavalo, Ibarra, and Quito again. 

Prayer requests: Safety as I travel alone by bus to Otavalo.  Wisdom to choose the best activities with my friends. Guidance as I consider which city would be the best fit for me. Lastly, and most importantly that no matter how busy my day becomes, I would spend time growing closer to God.