Quito ~ Sunday, July 13, 2014

We had a tasty breakfast at the hotel then went on our tour of Quito. First we enjoyed an orchestral and dancing performance by the physically and mentally disabled students at Sinamune Disabled Children’s Orchestra. I recognized one of the female dancers with downs syndrome that I had seen in 2008. These students have performed all over the world, including the Vatican. Afterward, we contributed to the school by buying some beautiful Ecuadorian handicrafts made by the indigenous people of the Amazon.

Next we walked about 3 1/2 hours with our very capable local guide to the region of the town square. We saw the interior of the two most beautiful churches in Quito. The conquered Indians who had been trained to be artists created gorgeous interiors of the buildings. At La Basilica Church there is estimated to be seven tons of gold leaf on the ceilings and very fancy Baroque walls. By the way, the Indians were not paid wages. They worked for the love of creating something beautiful and hope of going to heaven. They were only fed.

Prostitution is now legal in Ecuador. Our local guide arranged for us to meet a local prostitute and ask her questions. She has a husband and three children. She is twenty-five and has been a prostitute since the age of fifteen. She charges $10 for her services, but $3 have to go for the room. She doesn’t like her profession, but she and her husband both have to work to feed the family. She would like to open a nail salon. I told our local guide about Kiva, and she was excited to have that information to give to the prostitute.

We enjoyed a lunch on the square where we could people watch. I had a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and mushrooms plus slices of heart of palm and grilled cheese sticks. I had a strawberry milkshake to drink!

This evening we will have a welcoming dinner at the hotel. Our group size on the main trip now is fourteen which includes five teachers. Tomorrow we will drive to Coca to begin our Amazon experience.