Quito, Ecuador

 

Inside domes of a church in the historic district.

Quito a very large city of over 3 million people is more affluent than the other South American countries we have visited.  While we have been here we have seen a heavy military and police presence most likely due to the state of emergency that it has been in.
Soldier posted in one of the entrances to the main plaza.  It is a photo of juxtaposition with the cross and the soldier.

Quito is quite pretty set in the green mountains next to the Andes. 

This rare photo of the Andes Mountains overlooking Quito.  We were having breakfast in the JW Marriott Lounge when the concierge pointed it out to us and he was very proud that he had climbed that mountain. 

Quito seems to be perpetually in the clouds at a high elevation of almost 10,000 feet.  We didn't have a lot of time to explore the city as we only had one full day here.  


Quito is quite a modern city but has an old historic center where its colonial buildings are.









However, we did make it to the Colonial Historic area, the first Latin American historic area to be granted UNESCO World Heritage status.



Super ornate building.


An impressive colonial arched entrance. 

The historic area is pretty and fairly well-kept.  The military had the main section of the Plaza de la Independencia blocked off, hampering the flow of traffic.  The area is very busy and for a Tuesday it was packed with people.  












The Metropolitan Cathedral was worth a visit for its stained glass and masonry.

I had to zoom out to get the Metropolitan Church into one photo.


Gorgeous bronze front doors to the church.


The stained glass was intensely colorful.


We went to the top floor to capture the views of the city of Quito.



Quito is quite pretty, hilly and mountainous.

The unrest in the country caused by the drug lord and drug cartel has caused a sense of insecurity while travelling as a tourist which is a shame because the country deserves better.
The historic center is on the highest hill and these skyscrapers are lower than the old city.



Pretty arched entrance into the old center.

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