Why Quito?????
Well to be honest I have never really considered traveling to Ecuador until 2 weeks ago. I came up with my "1 year, 12 months" plan while driving to work. It took a couple of days before even thinking about where to begin this journey. One thing I needed to consider was someplace that was "woman" friendly, and that I would feel comfortable going, since for the first trip I would be alone. Through process of elimination, and a little investigating I decided on Quito. The more I learned about this South American City, the more excited I became. The only obstacle now is getting on the flights. One of the benefits of working for the airlines is the ease of travel, but going stand-by isn't always simple, and for now I'm keeping my fingers crossed. that it all works out. (I really do not have a back up plan.)
Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It was founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. Today, two million people live in Quito. It was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 (along with Krakow in Poland)
.
Quito lies between two mountain ranges and its altitude is 2,800 metres or about 10,000 feet.
It boasts no fewer than 40 churches and convents, 17 squares and 16 convents and monasteries. It's been called the 'Reliquary of the Americas' for the richness of its colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage.
The city is a popular starting point for trips to Mitad del Mundo, or “Middle of the World,” the equatorial marker just outside the city, and to Cotopaxi National Park, home to an active volcano. Some travelers take excursions to accessible parts of the Amazon jungle and to Ecuador’s famed cloud forests, where an almost constant mist creates dense, lush greenery and diverse animal species including hundreds of types of birds. Hot springs, like Papallacta, are a short drive away, as is Otavalo, the huge outdoor market where local entrepreneurs sell everything from alpaca sweaters and beaded jewelry to livestock. The drive from Quito takes you through small towns where the local delicacy cuy (aka guinea pig) can be found roasting at the side of the road.
Well to be honest I have never really considered traveling to Ecuador until 2 weeks ago. I came up with my "1 year, 12 months" plan while driving to work. It took a couple of days before even thinking about where to begin this journey. One thing I needed to consider was someplace that was "woman" friendly, and that I would feel comfortable going, since for the first trip I would be alone. Through process of elimination, and a little investigating I decided on Quito. The more I learned about this South American City, the more excited I became. The only obstacle now is getting on the flights. One of the benefits of working for the airlines is the ease of travel, but going stand-by isn't always simple, and for now I'm keeping my fingers crossed. that it all works out. (I really do not have a back up plan.)
So here are some fun facts about Quito. . .
Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It was founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city. Today, two million people live in Quito. It was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 (along with Krakow in Poland)
.
Quito lies between two mountain ranges and its altitude is 2,800 metres or about 10,000 feet.
It boasts no fewer than 40 churches and convents, 17 squares and 16 convents and monasteries. It's been called the 'Reliquary of the Americas' for the richness of its colonial- and independence-era architecture and heritage.
The city is a popular starting point for trips to Mitad del Mundo, or “Middle of the World,” the equatorial marker just outside the city, and to Cotopaxi National Park, home to an active volcano. Some travelers take excursions to accessible parts of the Amazon jungle and to Ecuador’s famed cloud forests, where an almost constant mist creates dense, lush greenery and diverse animal species including hundreds of types of birds. Hot springs, like Papallacta, are a short drive away, as is Otavalo, the huge outdoor market where local entrepreneurs sell everything from alpaca sweaters and beaded jewelry to livestock. The drive from Quito takes you through small towns where the local delicacy cuy (aka guinea pig) can be found roasting at the side of the road.
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