Becoming a Tourist in Quito

Returning to mainland Ecuador after sailing in the Galapagos, I was amazed at the largeness of Quito. Due to the flight delay on our way to South America and the consequential re-arrangement of our tour, we had yet to view Ecuador’s capital city in the daylight until our trip was almost over. We bounded out of our hotel and into the Adventure Life van, setting off with our guides with every intention of being touristy. We visited the Equator (I balanced an egg on a nail and could not, despite my best efforts, walk in a straight line), the nearby Pichincha volcano, the colonial Old Town, the towering Basilica, and took part in the Inti Raymi Festival. Coming from Montana, I am constantly in awe of large cities, but Quito impressed me greatly with its volcanic views and historic center. Ever grateful to have a personal guide and driver, I relied heavily on the convenience of the van as I zoomed around the city and the company of my guide, who was happy to provide me with interesting facts about the area. Working with travel, I often hear about UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It gives me pleasure to know I’ve wandered Quito: the first of them all.