
As we waited in the lobby of the Marriott for everyone to gather for our day exploring Quito I noticed large arrangements of roses everywhere. A fresh rose had even been laid on our bed last night. So many roses. . .and then I remembered. When I had the flower shop, all the roses we bought from the suppliers came from South America. Later we would see roses for sale: 25/$1!
Our morning was spent strolling the streets of Quito in the old town after a stop high above the city at La Basilica. We stood outside and admired the facade full of animals and birds of Ecuador. While there, we were approached by a handful of vendors. Our guide told us they were from an indian tribe in the area that sells hand made good among other things. Several ladies had a pile of brightly colored scarves folded over an arm. Each lady wore a green felt fedora with a feather in the hat band. With them was a beautiful little girl who was selling handmade purses for a $1. I asked if she would let me take her picture for $1 instead and she and her mom agreed.


Our group crossed the square to the Cathedral which was built in the middle 1500s and walked along the front of it. It had suffered from several earthquakes and had been renovated several times. The domes were painted tiles which were a unique style of architecture.


Around the corner from Independence Square is the Church of San Francisco. It is not only a church but a monastery and museum as well. We climbed steps up to a balcony overlooking the sanctuary to see the amazing ornate
decoration. Most of it was gilded in gold. We could not take any pictures because too many others in the past had used flash rather they meant to or not and there were services going on.
The museum in rooms off the main sanctuary
was full of
wonderful statues, many that had been used often in religious parades years ago for
special festivals.
Noon arrived and we were escorted to our mini bus for our
trip to the restaurant for our lunch. My growling stomach agreed that it was
time.The museum in rooms off the main sanctuary

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