Did not go to Cotopaxi today. Instead we are going tomorrow. Clemence delayed her trip one day.
Our original guide, once we realized all the extra costs he was asking to the trip, was charging too much. We head specifically asked if he spoke English and was told yes - he meant the guides at Cotopaxi. So we cancelled him, hired someone else for tomorrow, and went off to explore Quito.
We got a ticket for the hop on hop off bus. It makes it convenient to see the city, since walking would have been difficult - it is very long and narrow due to the mountains. Were walked to the first stop which wasn't far so not worth waiting for the bus - the botanical gardens. We walked though a really long park, which was packed with sports players, children, families, and food vendors. It started raining at the greens, so we didn't stay long, but were saw everything. It was okay, but the Tasmania gardens were more interesting in my opinion. And they were free (this one cost $3).
Next we board the bus, headed to "old town, where, first up, was the Basilica. Of course as soon as we got off it started drizzling again (although not for long). Iga and I climbed to the top spire on the church. First we head to pay the standard $1-$2 entrance fee to climb as high add we wanted. All of us went to the 2nd floor where we saw the beautiful stain glass window from the inside and the city through glass windows. Then we walked another flight of stairs where there was an outdoor lookout balcony and a gift shop. The view from outside was wonderful.
At this point we had split up. I noticed a wooden walkway over the ceiling of the sanctuary, and steps at the end leading up. I asked a lady where it went and was informed "to the top of the spire". The steps looked a little steep, almost like a step ladder. I figured, I might add well do it - Its not likely I'm coming back. So I walked across and climbed the stairs. Nice view, but I wasn't done. Two more sets similar steps and I finally arrived at the spire (
note spire in picture above). The view was magnificent. The only problem was I couldn't stay there forever - although I thought about it. If there had been WiFi up there I might have l considered it. As it was, I did make it down, very slowly.
Then it was on to the next stop, Iglesia San Francisco. The church is the oldest colonial building in Quito. The front of the sanctuary was one of the most ornate I've ever seen.
As we drove to and from the church, the buildings were cool. Reminded me a little of the older Scandinavian buildings. Natalie would have loved the buildings and gone crazy taking pictures of doors and such. I took a picture of a window I thought she might like.
Last were went to El Panecilla, a 100 foot statute of the virgin of Quito which overlooks the city and can be seen from almost everywhere. Again, Iga and I went up in the statute as high add we could go much easier this time - normal steps). Then we bought some fruit for dinner and headed toward home.
The bus let us out a few blocks from the metro bus, which were took top a corner near our hostels. By now, were are exhausted and just wanted to be home. We missed our stop, but quickly got another bus going the other way, for one stop. Both buses were packed to the gills. I almost didn't make it in the second bus. Instead my backpack just got squished and no one could move. If it hadn't been a Sunday, I would have thought it was work traffic. Clemence thought it might have to do with an early event related to the Quito celebration that officially starts Dec 4.
In any case, tomorrow night I move in with Iga for the couple of remaining nights. Clemence is coming for one night before she leaves for another town. As I mentioned earlier, tomorrow is the Cotopaxi volcano. Then on Tuesday, Iga and I are doing a day trip to the equator and the nearby town of Mindo. On Wednesday, our last day, Iga wants to walk around the city. There is one thing we didn't get to on my list, but overall, I am cityed out. Will see how I feel on Wednesday.
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