Jan 1, 2007 - Happy New Year!

Today we walked around the city some more and visited a few more churches. Most shops and restaurants were closed because it was New Year's Day and the streets were pretty empty, with the exception of people coming from church. Most of these people were carrying little trays with baby Jesus figurines covered in rose petals on them. We also came across a parade honouring the Virgin Mary. Mary is a very big deal in Ecuador, as are virgins, especially in Quito. There are a lot of references to virgins and saints in the artwork and literature here. On a huge hill overlooking the city (and visible from just about everywhere), there is a statue of the "Virgin of Quito", supposedly standing on top of the world. Actually, she's standing on top of a chained dragon (??) and she also has eagle wings and a crown of stars. How very...American? Anyway, we didn't bother going up the hill to see her up close, because apparently they have also opened a really cheesy theme park up there, complete with go-karts and kiddie rides. It's odd looking up there and seeing all the lights and amusement park stuff next to the virgin statue.

Anyway, I wanted to mention a few more things about Quito. One of the most interesting things about it is that it is right on the equator. There is a site in town that you can visit if you want to stand with one foot in the Northern hemisphere and one foot in the Southern hemisphere.

Another interesting thing about Quito is that lies along the floor of a high Andean valley, and is flanked by mountains (and two volcanoes) on all sides. Even in the valley, we are at 2850 metres above sea level. Altitude sickness can be a real problem for people who fly into Quito from sea level. Although we are pretty much acclimatized to the altitude from being in Baños, we still feel dizzy and short of breath quite often here and also have very dry mouths - all mild symptoms of altitude sickness. The views sure are beautiful, though.

Anyway, I'm going to comment on a few of the photos below rather than continuing to ramble on. Hope everyone is doing well!


This is one of the city's many plazas, Plaza Grande. Outside of every major church there is a courtyard or plaza, usually with beautiful flowers and trees.










Monument in Plaza Grande.














This photo and the next one were taken inside of one of my favourite churches in the city...I wish I could remember its name! The artwork was really beautiful.









This is the Basilica del Voto Nacional. It is a beautiful gothic building. Notice the heart shaped window above the door. Looking through it from inside the Basilica, you can see the Virgin of Quito statue on the hill (see next photo, which I have no idea how Dave took so well!).















This photo is also inside the Basilica. There were many Christmas lights and a huge nativity scene.





The stained glass in the Basilica (apparently imported from Italy) was amazing.















This photo with the praying nun is in a little chapel that is attached to the Basilica, which was really beautiful.










Whereas most Gothic architecture features gargoyles, the Basilica has all different kinds of birds and animals protruding from its exterior. I loved this! In this photo you can see iguanas.




Here you can see turtles, as well as some vultures protruding from the steeple. I couldn't get enough of these animals. I'm not sure if the animals relate to the Galapagos or not, but I'm guessing that they do. If so, then I love the irony of the animals that inspired Darwin's theory of evolution protruding from a Catholic church.










The postcard shot of the Basilica.






More of the interior of the Basilica. We liked it!

Another stained glass shot.

A guy who worked in the church told us that the stained glass flower was the rosetta of Ecuador and the stone flower in the triangle below represents an orchid. Conspiracy theorists Carroll and Jones were quick to notice the triange with the eyeball in the middle of the orchid...classic Illuminati symbolism!






Henry and EO visit the Basilica.

Had enough of this church yet?

The Virgin Mary parade we saw. That's her below with the white veil.

A nice building.

The outside of the Monastery of San Augustin. Many heroes of the battle for Ecuador's independence are buried here, and it is also the site of the signing of Ecuador's declaration of independence in 1809.