Church, Shoe-shine boy and Melcocha!

Santuario del Qui

Hi!
Today is a grey day in Quito, we can ear the thunder and the cloud is falling louder ! But, in that grey day, i will talk to you about a sunny day that we passed in El Quinche, which is about 1 hour far away from Quito (in car). In bus, 1 h 45.


We have visited the "Santuario del Quinche". It was the week-end and there was a lot of people! Many people was selling religious things close to the church, many people was selling food. Some prayers was outside to bless things, as necklaces, etc...





Ecuadorian people are very faithful


We also take a moment to light candle for us and for people we loved.
People here are very faithful. Per exemple, i saw a mom taking a candle and touching the body of her child with it, then they light the candle and pray god to protect them.

Shoe-shine boy


Also, a shoe-shine boy (which polish the shoes) ask me to polish my boots. There is a lot these guys on the streets.
Then i said ok, but i found it strange that someone did that for me, especially for 50 cents! was so not expensive. But when they saw that you are a tourist, and when they ear you speak in english, they can take advantage and ask you for more money. So be careful with that.

Barney is in Ecuador!

After the church,

 we took a walk in the city. there was a lot 

of people as you can see!

Even Barney was there!! 

Take a look in the middle! 

Miam! Candies!


There was a lot of display with many candies on it!  i had to keep myself away from it because it was looking so good, and i am addicted to sugar. this is my whickness!  
And more, it is so cheap.
But i bought nothing. Good girl ;)

Men doing Melcocha

Melcocha

Here, we can see a man who is doing "Melcocha", which is a local food made from cane sugar.  Melcocha is a kind of a very sweet fudge or caramel having an extremely chewy consistency. 

Melcocha is available in many flavors. 

Melcocha

Your comments are very appreciated! I want to know who are my readers and what do you like about my blog! 

If you have questions, or any comments, go ahead!  Thanks! 

Landscape of San Rafael - Quito

Day for rest!

Hi everybody!
Today is a hard day for me ... it's been 2 days that
i am sick, there is a virus in the city;  somach ache
and everything that goes with it! I try to follow the
advises of my mother-in-law; dring a loooot of
water, a loooot of water with camomille and anis,
no milk, no tomato .... i think i begin to get better today.
I will go outside with my fiance, hoping everything
will be fine :) . I will write soon about interesting
things on Ecuador, let me know if you have any
questions, comments.

Soon, i will talk to you about sugar cane, and how they make sorbet ...  Very interesting!

The national flower of Ecuador is the Rose

In Ecuador, the roses are awesome because the country has the best conditions to cultivate them. 

• First, it is because of the altitude. Quito (Ecuador's capital) is one of the highest cities in Latin America, and roses are gown just a few hours from Quito.

• Second, it's because of the location and the temperature. Quito and its near areas are in the middle of the world. This means that the sunlight hits it directly, which added to the altitude make a unique combination of location and height for the roses to receive as much sunlight as anywhere else in the world.

It's the sunlight that gives to the roses its unique colors. 

The sun of Ecuador is stronger and is able to give more radiation to the rose plants. 

That is why the Ecuadorian roses have so 

beautiful and unique colors. 

The Cabs in Quito

Hola! Today, I want to talk with you about the cab here in Ecuador. It can be dangerous to take it because there is many that are not "official "cab, and they can ask you for more money, or even, they can kidnap you! 

You can see on the picture below the important characteristics that own an official cab. 

In the capital of Quito, there are 8 778 of legal unities, more than 2000 of commercial taxis, 

and 5000 which are illegals.  When you take a cab, make sure it has the charasteristics showing below:

And you, how was your experience taking a cab in Quito? 

Let me know ! 

San Francisco Plaza - native people

This native woman was selling scarf on the street. 2 for 5 $.
I love the way she is dressed, with the hat, the earrings, and also with the baby on her back.

Many packages

Two old woman from Ecuador. They are healthy and still in good condition to work .
I saw many old people still working hard on the street.

The President's house - Palacio de Carondelet

Few days ago, we had the chance to visit the President house! 

There was so many interesting things to see inside. Look below! 

The President house

Guardians in front of the main
entrance. They don't move for
many hours.  

In the president house, they kept many 
things that belong to Eloy Alfaro. 
Here, you can see the official
costume that was wearing M. Alfaro.

            

Ecuador is the country of the flowers, 
especially roses! As you can see on this 
picture, they don't hesitate to use many flowers
 to decorate because here,it's cheaper. 
Per example, 25 roses for about 4 $!
And here, it's American dollar!  $$$  good deal! 

This is the private church of the President                                                       This is the diner room 

              

Can i take a seat? :) 

This is the room with the pictures of all the president since 1830.  Look on top of the wall. 

Paint of Guayasamin. He was the most famous painter in Ecuador. 

Me and one of the guardian at the main entrance.
The uniform they are wearing was used in the 
Pichincha's battle in May th 1822. 

When you get in the house of President,
you must salute to the flag
 in a sign of respect.