Pomp and Circumstance ...

Today was our tour of Old Town. Every Monday at 11a the Presidential Palace has the changing of the guards. We arrived at 1050a just in time to get a decent view. Our tour guide told us most time the vice-president oversees the festivities. Today luck was on our side ... the Presidente himself, Rafael Correa Delgado, was present. 

Our next stop was The Basilica del Voto Nacional, built in 1887.

The next church was La Compania. Listed on the 100 most  important architectural buildings in the world. I was not allowed to take pictures so I had to borrow these from the web. 

Everything was covered in gold leaf. 


We then made our way to El Panecillo. A 200 metre hill over looking all of Quito. Standing watch is the Virgen de Quito. A 45 metre tall statue built in 1976.

The weather has been perfect ... clear to partly cloudy with a temperature around 70 to 74. 


As the morning drew to a close it was of to my cousins house, Denise Laniado. She lives on the other side of Quito, in the Valley. 


At around 3p all 19 descended upon the family house. Tour bus and all. And all hungry. 


Stay tuned ...