Carolina Park - Skate Park

Carolina Park in Quito is a great place to play for a day. There is an area that they call a skate park, with long cement ditches that people use to skate or bike or just run around in. A favorite thing for kids to do is try to run up the cement wall (We, of course, had to do it too, but the pictures are too embarrassing to post)

scaling the walls

Is Quito safe?

"According to the U.S. Department of State, petty theft is by far the most common problem facing American tourists in Quito, Ecuador." We're always cautious when we go out exploring for the day- no jewelry, no pocketbooks, no credit cards, only enough money for the day (and in Ecuador, a little bit goes a long way). But sometime we find ourselves in situations we shouldn't be in, like riding crowded buses. The thieves in Quito are slick. Manuel's back pocket got sliced, but luckily they weren't able to get the only thing in that pocket- a change purse with coins for the buses. He wasn't even aware there was a gaping hole in his pants until we go off the bus and he felt the fresh air where it shouldn't be.

 We also walk whenever we can, which is why we were attempting to walk to a viewpoint at the top of a hill when a viejita carrying a large load told us that to continue walking would cost us more than taking a taxi. Apparently, there are thieves waiting on the streets that lead to the top of this hill (El Panecillo) that WILL rob you. We thanked her and turned around. 
And so, I'll sew Manuel's pants, and we will continue to be cautious, and enjoy all the wonderful things that this city has to offer. 

The Middle of the World and Pululahua Crater

 In spite of there being disagreement about where the true middle of the world is, we decided to do the tourist thing, and hopped on the bus to "Mitad del Mundo", to straddle what French geographer La Condamine, in 1736, said was the equator.

 From there,  we took a short ride to the world's only inhabited volcanic crater, Pululahua.

First day in Ecuador

 Wonderful welcome to Ecuador - picked up at midnight at the airport (we left San Diego before 8 am!), and driven to our new home for the next month or two- fresh roses, large platter of fruit, and a fridge with cheese, croissant, and jam for breakfast.

Welcome!

 We spent our first day stocking the kitchen, then checking out the hood- alot more modern than I expected- I guess that's why they call this area "New Quito", where all the stores and restaurants are, vs "Old Quito", which is where all the museums and historic buildings are.

breakfast croissant

Foch Square

street vendor