So along with volunteering and spanish – I’ve been touring Quito a bit more to discover it’s ins and outs. My spanish teacher is graceful enough to go with me.

I’d tried to do the teleferico which is a cable car up one of the volcanoes surrounding Quito but unfortunately visibility did not agree with us. 

So there are little interesting bits in Quito. Like notice the difference between the Angels…. one angel on this building is different than all the others. It has male genitalia. The reason? Across the street is the very large Catholic Church and they added this feature to the Angel to protest the church’s policies.

There are also quite a few older buildings and museums in Quito worth pottering around in. I also saw where according to the “politicians” President Garcia Moreno was assassinated but really everyone knows another man in a love triangle with a woman put a machete in his head.

First there is La Ronda the street near where I volunteer and have walked down often – known for its unique ice cream flavors and night life. It is considered safe at night even though I’ve only been in it during the day. The area around it is one you want to catch and Uber or Cabify to avoid. It is here that I tried my first Canelazo which is a hot drink. It was certainly strongly alcoholic. 

“This delicious hot drink is just what you need to warm you up in the freezing nights in Quito. It is a Quiteño delicacy that people drink all year round but it is known specially during these festivities. You can’t miss the sweet smell of naranjilla, cinnamon and (of course) the booze… better known as “puntas”, a strong artisanal alcoholic beverage.”’

There is also a little museum in Ronda which carries some interesting Incan items

There are little bits of history throughout Quito – like the independence statue where the lion retreating is Spain and the Condor with its wings spread in victory is Ecuador.

I have also had Hot chocolate in the Plaza de Foch now in Gringolandia and that by far is my favorite treat. Amazing!!!!