Camino de los Conquistadores

Our morning stroll!!!  We decided to go on the camino de los conquistadores.  This is the road the Spanish conquerors took through the Andes to reach the Amazon jungle.

Looking up into the mountains from Quito.  If you look closely in the top of the mountains you will see some snow!  Not really.  It's just painted concrete around  communication towers.

Many of the vertical walls hold up the earth, others are for security.

This is how we have to cross the street when the light is green.  You have to watch the cars behind you making right hand turns.  Pedestrians have no rights.

Quito is beautiful in a few places.

Cobble stone roads, hair pin turns and LOTS of traffic.

A narrow walkway to some homes hanging on the side of the mountain.

Some beautiful flowers along the road which brightens our walk.

Down a steep road to the church.  The street is narrow and surrounded with cement walls.

Left side is a retaining wall and right side is a security wall on a narrow walkway.

The side of the hill has sloughed off and buried the sidewalk.  Those are some steps to someone's home on the side of the hill which is more like a cliff.

Major traffic on a very narrow road.  Some cars were parked on the side of the road so the police had to be there to direct traffic.  Also see the planters in the sidewalks and graffiti on the cement walls.  It's all over!

Another narrow road with the city skyline above.  We had to walk back up to those tall apartment buildings.

I thought this was a cute home.  Some flowers to brighten up my day.

A long ways to go back up the hill and it's steep.  Our legs were shaking!!

We thought this might be a date palm.

Looks like a pine tree with scales instead of needles.

The front of the Guapulo Church.  Can you find Mary holding baby Jesus?

Another view of the front of the church.  There was a big truck parked right in front of the main door so we were trying to take pictures without it.

A beautiful door at the side of the road.

Can you find something good to eat?  They are yummy!!

Homes at the bottom of the hill.

We thought of Alex when we saw his name in spray paint.  Lots of spray paint all over.

Interesting architecture, narrow road and another retaining wall.

Looking down at the church.  Homes on the left and the Spanish Embassy on the right behind the wall.

A huge retaining wall.  Notice the pipes to drain water in the rainy season.  Haven't seen any rain yet!

Steps are narrow, steep and dangerous.  Watch your step!!!

Going up!  The natives told us it was an easy climb once you've done it for a couple of months.  We didn't see anyone having an easy time getting up on top!!

A HUGE retaining wall. 

Almost to the top!!

Looking back down at the hairpin turns.  Sometimes traffic gets backed up on this road for hours.

Looking back down.  Across the valley there was a huge fire a few weeks ago.

Dad is glad he doesn't have to drive here!!

Trip to Manta

Walking around Quito

The egg vendor.  We see him on our way to work.

The guard dogs on the roof of a building we pass by on our daily walks.

A bicycle built for a family!  Love the little wooden seat in front.  And you could put a few on the back!

A flower vendor on our walk.  2 dozen roses for  $3.50.  At that price you can afford fresh flowers in your house everyday!!

Masks for sale at the side of the road.

A scalped pine tree in the distance.

Don't want to sit and rest here!!  Watch where you are going!!

The Fire Station.  There usually is a fireman standing outside with his helmet on.  Don't know if he's in this picture.

Yes, we have Pizza Hut here but we've never been.  We've also seen McDonalds, KFC, and Burger King.

A cute building in the middle of the city.  It used to be all green and red but they just repainted it!  Looks like a castle.

One of my favorite flowers, a hydrangea!!

Another eating place that we've never tried but we like the name!

Patricio, our receptionist at work.  He always greets us with a smile and flowers on his desk.

A view of Quito.  Lots of cement buildings!!

SUNDAY WALK

Here's Mike at our front door.  We live at 17A in a tiny apartment.

We have to take a elevator down to the main floor.  There are 3 elevators

This is our building.  The name is Multicentro.  It's a huge building with apartments and offices.

This is the bus stop where we catch the bus.  You can see a curb which separates the bus lane from the cars.

 This is the bus called the Ecovia.  They often are packed and you are squeezed in  like sardines.

Walking up one of the streets near our apartment.  The trees are ficus trees that we grow at home as house plants.

A guard house outside one of the buildings.  There are guards all over the place.  Most of them are armed and wear bullet proof vests.

Many of the streets are one way!

A license plate.

A typical sidwalk.  You have to keep your wits about you when you are walking.

A typical sidwalk.  Watch your step!!

A view from our walk.  Down below you can see a Catholic church and monestary.   It's called Guapalo. We walked down there one Saturday and it was very steep.

Trees were planted in these little places but the dogs think this is their potty place.  Haven't seen many dogs running loose.

A typical Ecuadorian taxi.  This one looks new.

There is graffit all over the place.  They are very artistic!

A store front with lots of advertisements.

A donation box on the side of an apartment building.  It is for a walk by worship center!

Going up some steep stairs.

A tree trying to grow out of the cement.

Crossing a busy street.  The cars have the right of way so you have to be alert!!

A place for the garbage on the street to keep it away from the dogs.

Protective bars.  All the houses and apartments have walls with bars and guards.

This is the front of a store that is closed for the day.  Everything is locked with 2 or 3 locks on each door.

A garbage can in the middle of the street.

Be careful.  This is a typical sidewalk.

We saw a Korean flag on our walk!  Tried to take a picture of an Ecuadorian one but the wind was blowing.

Watch out overhead.  Lots of wires!!!

A children's hospital with a little tienda (store) in front.

Yes, Kentucky Fried Chicken is here.  They serve beans and rice with their chicken.  Never eaten there and never will!

Modeling with the mannequins!

Where we go to church.  It's about 3 blocks from our apartment.

Glass on top of a wall for added security.

Almost home.  That's our building on the left.  We just walked about 3 miles up and down hill.

This is where we put our garbage on the stairwell.  The hot water heater has been sitting there a while.

We're back!  Home Sweet Home!

Don't forget to wash your hands!

And drink plenty of water.  Thanks for coming with us on our Sunday walk!