Arrived in Quito yesterday afternoon. Spent the remainder of the day exploring Old Town including La Compania, the largest and most elaborate Jesuit cathedral in South America, Plaza San Francisco, which is where the Franciscan church is located, and Plaza de la Independencia where at the center of the square a monument stands that was made and donated by the French commemorating Ecuador´s independence to Spain. It resembles our Statue of Liberty..........torch and all although on a much smaller scale. Frankly, I can´t look at any more cathedrals. It´s difficult to separate appreciating the beauty of the architecture with the brutal history of how these buildings were created at the expense of the native people. Looking forward to going to The Galapagos Islands tomorrow. Every local and tourist I´ve spoken to said it will be the highlight of the trip.

Today spent the day exploring the surrounding villages outside Quito as well as the site of the equator. Seems the French, who originally ´discovered´the location of the equator in 1745, were off approximately 240m (787ft). According to GPS technology the equator´s location is now accurately determined. Interestingly enough the native Ecuadorians also marked the spot of the equator and they were only 90m off making them more accurate than the French. In the picture below I´m standing in front of the French monument and you can see in the forefront the egg balancing on its´tip. Touristy, but had to do it.

Spent some time in the village of Otavalo, which houses a huge market still used today by the natives to buy or trade produce and meats. Unfortunately that happens on Saturdays so did not get to witness. Today it was mostly tourist goods. Had to purchase a woven Panama hat though. Little trivia for you - the hats have always been made in Ecuador, but were called Panama hats because Ecuador supplied them to the workers on the Panama Canal, thus the name was coined. While in Otavalo had the opportunity to visit a woman in her home and shop to see how the weaving is done. The picture I include below is her utilizing a hand loom, which they still use today. The workmanship is incredible. She also described to me how they die the wool by utilizing seeds, vegetation and even bugs to get the different colors. This method has been in existence since the native Ecuadorians.

Also visited the village of Cotacachi, which is the home of excellent leather goods. You would not believe the quality and the low prices. Proud to say I didn´t buy any new purses, but was so tempted. It´s worth the price of the airfare.

Flying to The Galapagos early tomorrow morning and not sure, but doubt, I´ll have Internet access so this might be my last entry until I return to Chicago.

Thanks for following along. It´s been fun for me to share my trip and document my adventures. There is so much more, but not wanting to bore you all.