Approaching Quito

Flying to Quito via Amsterdam. Short connection time in Amsterdam, and of course my flight to Amsterdam is delayed. Leaving the plane when boarding is supposed to start. However, this still doesn't seem to be short enough to get into the the short connection lane at the passport control. When I finally get to the gate, I see it's not a problem, the line for security check is still huge. An hour later I finally get into the plane, and we take off (also a bit delayed). 

After almost 11 hours uneventful flight, mainly over water, we are approaching Quito. The view on the surrounding mountains is astounding. Although Quito itself is already at an altitude of about 2900m, if feels like flying into a valley. We land on the new airport of Quito, which just opened one year ago. (The old one in the city has now been transformed into a park.) Although the airport has been open for a year now, the street going there was just finished about a month ago. 

Quito's architecture (at least in the old town) is typical Spanish from the colonial time, although it actually has a history much older. Being the captital of the kingdom of the Quitos, it was first taken over by the Incas, and then, just after a few years when the Spanish started coming, was burnt down by the Incas, instead of leaving it to the Spanish. Those then built a new city on the ruins of the old one.

Quito has lots of curches and monestaries, each if the beautifully and richly decorated. With the Ecuadorians being very religious, services are ongoing in all the curches most of the time. Around the main square (square of power), apart from the cathedral, there is the bishop's office, the mayor's house, and the president's palace. (The vice president's palace is just around the corner.) On one of the many hills in the city, a big statue of the Virgin Mary is overlooking the city. From here I also have a nice view of the city, and it becomes clear how large Quito actually is.

In the north of Quito, a big monument mark the equator (although GPS says the equator actually is about 200m further north). A samll museum in the monument gives a first impression into the many different cultures living in Ecuador. Around the monument, a small town has been created, only consisting of tourist shops and restaurants. I can only imagine how full it might get here in peak season.

After only one day, it is time for me to say goodbye to Quito...