Quito, Ecuador (final part) a few scenes from the streets
A wad of coin purses that a vendor is selling on the streets of Quito, Ecuador.
The traffic in Quito can be pretty crazy, so you really have to watch yourself to avoid being a casualty. I use the same “crossing the street” philosophy in Quito as I do in Panama City, Panama. That is… “look both ways, then run like hell!”
You do need to be careful in certain parts of the city, especially walking at night. Be observant. Usually pickpockets are the biggest threat. Don’t wear any fancy jewelry and try to dress down to blend in with everyone else. I have never been sucessful blending in with anyone else in a foreign city, but I like to advise others to do so!
If you can do some of these things, you have an opportunity to enjoy what I consider to be one of the great cities of the world. I consider it one of my top 5 cities in Latin America. As a matter of fact, if you want to see my list, you can click here. When you click ,it takes you to a travel site run by my friend Charlie at www.travelblur.com He has some neat stuff there, and has won some awards.
Anyway, check out the rest of these photos.
Quito Ecuador street scene
Quito Ecuador common street scene
Lots of hills surround Quito Ecuador. You can see El Panecillo in the distance on top of the hill
typical small store on the streets of Quito, Ecuador
one of several parks in central Quito, Ecuador
Entrance to the University of Central Ecuador in Quito. By the way, if you want to buy a logo shirt from the U. of Central Ecuador and don't know exactly where the bookstore is and have to ask directions, you better speak Spanish
Ok, that is it from Quito, Ecuador. Hope you enjoyed it. Quito is a fun place to visit. It is an easy 4 hour + flight from Miami.
When you fly out of Quito, make sure you keep a little money. There is some really good shopping in the airport after you pass through security.
Hope you enjoyed Ecuador. Let me know if you have any questions.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about my other travels click here
Quito Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 17 Food Pictures of Ecuador
Quito Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 17 Food Pictures of Ecuador
As I have mentioned in many of my blogs from my other trips, people are usually interested in seeing what you eat while traveling in foreign countries. So once again, I will publish a few photos of some of the food I ate with the Ecuadorian family that I lived with in Quito, while attending school.
A typical breakfast with my family, fried egg, bread, coffee, ham, cheese
The mother, Zaida with a big basket of rolls
Dinner in my home in Quito, meat, beans, rice
Dinner in my homestay in Quito, Salad, soup, juice, onions
When they made coffee for me, it was always half milk, half coffee, reminded me of cappucino. Very good
A bowl of soup. The soup was always very tasty.
another dinner at my homestay in Quito. Bread, rice, cauliflower, and meat
The photo below is of Jesús and me. Jesús is from Colombia and has a little storefront across from the Academia de Espanol. Everyday he grills and sells plantains and corn on the cob. Once he found out I had been to Colombia, we became fast friends. He would wave at me everyday when I entered the school building across the street.
Jesús and me chatting it up around his BBQ grill
That’s about all the food photos I figured you would want to see. My next blog about Quito will be my final one. I will just select a few photos that represent what you may see when you visit.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Read about my other travels click here
Quito, Ecuador Cont’d (Part 16)-visiting the actual equator.
Quito, Ecuador Cont’d (Part 16)-visiting the actual equator.
After class on my final day at the Academia de Espanol, Quito, Sila and I caught buses to La Mitad del Mundo, the museum on the Equator. I had always wanted to be able to say I have stood on both sides of the equator at the same time. I know, that is not a goal of everyone!
We had to change buses on the way to the museum. It was a pleasant ride. It gave me a chance to see more of Quito and the surrounding area. The bus drops you off just a block from the entrance.
Mitad del mundo
at the Mitad del Mundo museum-outside of Quito, Ecuador
Mitad del Mundo, I am standing on the Equator
the line of the equator at the Mitad del Mundo outside of Quito, Ecuador
There are actually two museums, each claiming to be the exact spot of the equator. One is more modern, but the people of Ecuador seem to lean towards the one called Museo Solar Inti Nan that supposedly is right on the exact spot of the equator. It has a lot of very interesting exhibits.
The museum was great. There was a guide that met us and showed us around, often times stopping and explaining how things work on both sides of the equator. They actually let you observe some experiments. Some of it may have been more myth than truth, but you could have fooled me! It was very educational and well worth the trip. They even have an exhibit on how some of the ancient tribes shrunk heads.
The guide asks you walk on the line designated as the equator. Shouldn’t be too hard, right? Not so, I could not keep my balance. I felt like I was taking a sobriety test—and flunking!!
some of the specimans collected from the Equator at the Mitad del Mundo museum outisde of Quito, Ecuador
a real shrunken head on display at the Mitad del Mundo Museum on the equator outside of Quito, Ecuador
All in all, if you go to Quito, this is an attraction not to be missed!
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
to read about my other travels click here
Quito Ecuador-Cont’d (Part 15) El Panecillo
Quito Ecuador-El Panecillo
After class one day, Sila from the school, and I took off for a place called El Panecillo, a hill where sits a huge statue of La Virgen de Quito from which there are incredible views of Quito. Problem was, the bus routes were messed up and we got off at the wrong stop. We ended up having to walk through the San Diego neighborhood and all the way up the hill to the monument. I think it was about 2.5 miles. Fortunately, the weather was cool. It was a long haul, probably took us an hour. Sila had on short heels, I don’t know how she made it up. She is a tough little cookie!
We went up to the top of the statue and took some great photos of the city.
El Panecillo-the statue at the top of the hill
Quito Ecuador-El panecillo
Quito Ecuador-El Pancello-shot through a door at the top of the statue
View of Quito Ecuador taken from the walk up the hill to El Panecillo
view of Quito Ecuador from the walk up the hill to El Panecillo
Quito Ecuador-the walk up to El Panecillo
After we waqlked to the top and finished our tour, there were no taxis to take us down. They were attending a funeral for one of their own. When we started walking down, it started raining and lightning. I did not feel good about the situation. Finally after 20 minutes a taxi came by and we grabbed it. It was a fun day!
Next-a visit to the Musuem of the Equator-
Read about my other travels click here
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Quito Ecuador-meeting a special guest at the Guayasamín Exhibition.
Meeting a special guest at the Guayasamín Exhibition
AS part of the presentation, the Spanish Ambassador made some remarks along with comments by some other people involved in the art community. The television cameras were rolling. I was pretty much distracted by the lady in the fish net blouse that was standing in front of me.
After the presentation, Manolo introduced me to several famous artists that he knew. Here in the first photo is one of his friends from the art world. Manolo is on the left.
Quito, Ecuador, Guayasamín Exhibition-Manolo with an artist friend
In the second photo his friend is autographing the back of a guest’s shirt.
Quito, Ecuador, Guayasamín Exchibition. Autographing the back of a guest's shirt
Manolo also introduced me to the well known artist, Miguel Bettancourt, who told me his daughter was doing PhD work at M.I.T. Miguel invited me to visit his art gallery, but I told him I was running out of time in Quito. I would catch him the next time. Manolo then introduced me to Guayasamín’s daughter, Berenice Guayasamín.
We stepped outside where there was a very large wine tasting event on the grass.
Quito, Ecuador, Guayasamín, Exhibition-wine tasting event
It was during this time, I noticed a man in a wheelchair to whom many people were speaking. Manolo told me the gentleman was the Secretary of Anti-Corruption for all of Ecuador, Sr. Alfredo Vera Arrata. Manolo knew him and asked me if I wanted to meet him. Of course, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity!
Manolo went over and spoke to him and then motioned me over. As we approached, I noticed four big, burly, steely-eyed bodyguards standing around the Secretary. They were all staring at me with suspicion. I finally realized I wasn’t doing myself any favors by being the only gringo in the crowd approaching the Secretary of Anti-Corruption with my hands in my raincoat pockets. The large bulges under the bodyguards suit coats told me those weren’t cell phones they were packing! When I stepped forward, one of them unbuttoned his coat. I was hoping he was just getting a phone out to call his mom.
I quickly leaned over and in Spanish told the Secretary what a pleasure it was to meet him. He asked me what I was doing in Ecuador and I told him I was studying Spanish and living in Manolo and Zaida’s house. He wished me luck and told me to study hard. I felt like I had just met the Pope!
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Next-visiting the great statue of El Panecillo
Quito Ecuador-a special invitation to a private art showing at the Guayasamín.
Quito Ecuador-a special invitation to a private art showing at the Guayasamín.
After visiting the Guayasamín museum earlier in the week, I was surprised to be told by Manalo, the father of the house where I was staying, that he and his wife Zaida, were going to take me to a private showing reserved for members of the Foundation of Guayasamín. The Spanish Ambassador was going to be there along with members of the press to honor an artist’s works.
My teacher at school told me I was very lucky to be going to this type of event. I dressed in my best clothes which really weren’t very good and took off with Manalo and Zaida to make my impression on the Quito art society.
Here is the sign at the entrance explaining the exhibition we were attending.
When I walked into the main where they were preparing for the presentation, I felt like everyone was staring at me. I was definitely the only gringo in the room.
Everyone was doing that Latin kissing deal. I thought “wow, this is my chance to get kissed by lots of beautiful Latin women welcoming me to Quito”. But no, it wasn’t going to happen. I don’t think they wanted to rub their Louis Vittons up against my green rain jacket and sweatshirt. Rats! I knew I should have purchased that fake Armani scarf in the street market!!
Anyway, Zaida at least was glad to have me there as evidenced by this photo.
Quito, Ecuador, Zaida and me at the Guayasamín foundation exhibition
Next-a chance meeting with a very important person from Quito.
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
Quito, Ecuador (Part 12)-visiting the Guayasamin art musuem
One of my other afternoon tours with Sila from The Academia de Espanol in Quito was a trip to the museum of the famous artist Oswaldo Guayasamín up in the Quito hills.
We traveled by city bus. It took about 45 minutes. I enjoy riding the buses in Quito because it gives you a snapshot of the everyday lives of the people living in the city. The buses are always packed.
The nice thing about riding the buses with Sila from the school is that she is always helping me with my Spanish while we are seeing the city.
The museum is located in the residential area of Bellavista.
The museum not only displays Guayasamín’s works, but also pieces from his personal collection. A lot of his art reflects the struggle of mankind, especially the poor .
Here are some photos of some of his works both outside and inside the museum.
Quito Ecuador-guayasamín museum outside
Quito Ecuador-Guayasamín museum outside
Quito Ecuador-Guayasamín museum
Quito Ecuador-Guayasamín museum-inside
Quito Ecuador-guayasamín museum-the outside as taken through a window
Quito Ecuador-Guayasamín museum-inside
Quito Ecuador-Guayasamín
At the museum you can get a guide, which I highly recommend. Ours spoke Spanish only, so it gave me a chance to practice my listening skills. I missed a lot in the translation, but it was still a great experience.
You can read about some of my other travels here
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
More Quito (next)
To read about my other travels click here
Quito, Ecuador (Part 11) Presenting to the students at Academia de Español
Quito, Ecuador (Part 11) Presenting to the students at Academia de Español
After receiving the assignment to go to the market to buy fruits that I have never seen nor heard of; the next big challenge was to give an oral presentation in Spanish to the rest of the class about the various kinds of fruit and what I had learned about each. The other students all had to do the same, so we were pretty much in the same boat. Thank God for the Internet to do our research!
I actually found the challenge of the presentation to be fun. We were all sympathetic to each other’s plight so everyone paid attention. It was a great exercise to help us improve our language skills.
Here I am wowing(??) the class with my presentation.
Here I am presenting my market research to the other students at Academia de Espanol
Notice the fruit on the platters in the foreground. One of the teachers labeled each type with it’s name. Here are some of them closeup:
Photos of the fruit from my presentation
Photos of some of the fruit from my presentation
The name of this fruit really is "Tuna"-don't get it confused with the fish.
The Tuna fruit was really sweet and delicious. Once you understand it is not the same as the fish, you can really enjoy it!
After each presentation we all got an opportunity to sample each kind of fruit. I thought it was a great teaching exercise and an opportunity to learn more about Ecuador.
To read about my other travels click here
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
Quito Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 10 –shopping the produce market of Quito
Quito Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 10 –shopping the produce market of Quito
I really enjoy the street markets of Latin America because they are always so interesting, plus the vendors are always willing to talk with you.
The previous afternoon, my teacher had given me the names of a bunch of different kinds of tropical fruits to research on the internet. Most of them I had never seen nor heard of. My assignment the next day(Wed.) was to go to the market, buy each of the fruits, and be prepared to give a show and tell report to the other students. I was supposed to show each fruit and tell some details about each one; like how it is grown, its growing season, flavor, uses, etc. That sounded fun. I was up for the challenge.
We walked 3-4 blocks to a big indoor fruit market. The best way to give you the idea of the market is to show a bunch of photos here. You’ll get the idea.
Quito, Ecuador-produce market
Quito, Ecuador=fresh produce market
Quito, Ecuador-fresh produce market
Quito, Ecuador-fresh produce market
Quito, Ecuador produce market, Avacados and peanuts
Qutio, Ecuador-fresh produce market
Quito, Ecuador, fresh produce market. Melons and Star Fruit
Quito, Ecuador, fresh produce market
Quito, Ecuador -fresh produce market
quito, Ecuador-they also sell some meat at the produce market. I'll just throw this in for good luck!
Pretty interesting stuff….huh? My next step would be to put it into words and do my best to explain it to the rest of the students in school.
Steve Barrymore, ssb11@prodigy.net
Next-Making the presentation to the other students
To read about my other travels click here
Quito, Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 9-lunch at the Hotel Calima and a visit to Museo del Banco Central
Quito, Ecuador (Cont’d)-Part 9-lunch at the Hotel Calima and a visit to Museo del Banco Central
On the second day of Spanish School at the Academia de Espanol in Quito, Ecuador, all of the students had to help prepare a fruit salad which was intertwined with a vocabulary lesson. It is interesting the way the school brings in different events to help in the learning process. I really like this method.
After our morning classes, Jim and I headed to the Hotel Calima for lunch. It was a place he had already discovered before I arrived in Quito. He was returning home to OKC in the a.m. to his wife and family while I would remain the rest of the week. I noticed that his Spanish had really improved in the short time that he had been there.
Our lunch at the Hotel Calima consisted of soup, lemonade, a banana, a fruit dish, rice, chicken, and a mashed up vegetable. Total cost was $2.25. A great value! Everyone in the restaurant appeared to be a local. The manager wanted to know how we liked the food then wanted to show us around the hotel lobby in case either of us ever needed a place to stay in Quito. I highly recommend this restaurant in the hotel for a good quality, but yet inexpensive meal.
Below is a photo of lunch.
Lunch at the Hotel Calima, Quito Ecuador
also a photo of the inside of the restaurant
Hotel Calima restuarant-Quito, Ecuador-steve barrymore
Quito, Ecuador-El Banco Central
Quito, Ecuador, El Banco Central #2
Quito, Ecuador, El Banco Central #3
Next-shopping the produce market of Quito
Steve Barrymore ssb11@prodigy.net
To read about my other travels click here
