- DSC04484
Embossed exterior doors to the Basilica - DSC04486
The costumed villagers from Pueblo Saraguro have a procession as they leave the Basilica - DSC04489
The costumed villagers from Pueblo Saraguro have a procession as they leave the Basilica - DSC04502
View of the Basilica from El Panacillo - DSC04504
Sonam, Steph, and Craig at El Panacillo - DSC04519
Sonam and Craig stand beneath the Virgin of Quito. People are allowed to go inside the statue and climb up to a viewpoint, but unfortunately the staff had gone to lunch and it was closed. - DSC04530
Speaking of lunch, we were getting hungry and thirsty. We bought a local chocolate bar at a souvenir stall, and then wandered over to the food stalls. Craig and I each got a sausage on a skewer, and Sonam got fries. We assumed that by the time we had finished eating, we would be able to go into the statue, but apparently the staff's lunch break wasn't over. - DSC04533
Sausage on a stick, El Panacillo - DSC04538
Basilica del Voto Nacional, Quito - IMG 0357
Our next stop was the picturesque colonial Historic Center (Old Town). Though not far as the crow flies, the traffic was horrible. Hector drove us to Old Town. The traffic was very bad, and he had trouble finding parking. We spent about an hour circling until we ended up back at the basilica. Hector parked there and we continued on foot to beautiful colonial Historic Center. - DSC04545
The Basilica shines in the late afternoon sunlight - DSC04556
Colonial architecture, Historic Center of Quito - DSC04574
We wanted to visit La Compañia de Jesus, a church whose interior is adorned fully in gold. Though the internet said it was open until 5:30, we got there at 4:03 and were told it was closed. I told the man that Sonam had come all the way from Bhutan, and that traffic had prevented us from getting there earlier. He took pity on us and let us inside for a quick visit. It was awe-inspiring. - DSC04579
We then made a quick stop at San Francisco. It also has a gilded altar, and we saw the 18th century statue on which Virgin of Quito is based. It is a statue of Virgin Mary as she is described in the Bibical book of the Apocalypse. - DSC04582
Sonam and Craig at Iglesia San Francisco, Historic Center of Quito