I was never so happy to escape the confines of anything as I was to push the ejection button in that taxi from Otovalo! We checked into our comfy, European style “Hostal de La Rabida” here in Quito two days ago, and have enjoyed lovely, warm weather at this 2,700 meter (10,000 foot) city. 
Quito’s population is about 1.5 million, and it really is a city of perennial spring. Flowers bloom year round, and the fresh fruit and juices every morning don’t need to travel further than a couple of hours from the coast. Here in the city, we’ve had 80 degree weather, and hats and sunblock are a must at this altitude.
Quito stretches along a plateau in a mountain valley surrounded by 4,000+ meter volcanos. We had plenty of arial views yesterday, beginning with a gondola ride up to 14,000 feet, overlooking the valley. The wind was quite brisk up there and I bet the temp dropped at least 20 degrees. We stayed long enough to capture some of the breathtaking views, and doing our best to capture our own breaths!
Pinchincha Ruku
At 14,000 feet
The mountain in back of the viewing platform and trail is called Pinchincha Ruku, and can be hiked in about 3 hours each way, if you have the lung capacity. Intrepid travelers sometimes take tents and sleeping bags up and camp there as well (bracing for some chilly nights, I’m sure).
Coming down the gondola, we chatted with an Ecuadorian university student whose father had just returned from Gonzaga University, studying English (small world). We had enough in common that she gave us a lift back to our hotel on her way to a communications class. Maria Elena completed her senior year of high school in Germany, and her parents are hoping that her younger sister will have an opportunity to study in Washington her senior year.
Our afternoon was spent walking, touring the historic Old Town on a double decker bus, and enjoying the incredible seafood that abounds here (trout from the lakes and sea bass and shrimp from the coast). The Old Town dates back to the 1500’s when the Spanish so rudely shouldered the indigenous people further up into the mountains. The architecture is amazing, and the government has done an excellent job of maintaining the structures.
Old Town Street
Old Town, Quito
Teresa Van Haalen Ventures 