The old city of Quito is considered to be the best preserved example of Spanish colonial architecture. And today a colorful exclamation point was added... Quite unexpectedly we arrived at the Plaza de la Independecia, where the president's residence resides, at the same time that the government was celebrating the anniversary of the 5th year of the revolution (which means 5 years since the president, Rafael Correa, was inaugurated).
We saw the President of Ecuador, presiding over his celebration.
Correa is the man with black hair and white shirt above the condor.
In addition to our political experiences this morning, we had our religious moments as we toured the gold covered La Compañia, the recently renovated San Francisco, and the giant Basilica up the hill.
Our afternoon was spent around the equator, especially at a "museum" known as Intiñan.
Feet in two hemispheres.
Dr. Ball was excited to see the first wildlife - some beautiful birds in the bushes at Intiñan.
My best guess is that this is a Sparkling Violetear.
Our evening was capped off with a lecture by Professor Burneo of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. He is a brilliant mammologist and the curator of vertebrate collections here at QCAZ. He gave a lecture on the 6th extinction, which was just as uplifting as you might imagine....
Tomorrow - the rainforest and Sacha Lodge.
- Eric Fortune
I am a friend of a student, but I just want to say I have been enjoying your commentary and living vicariously! Thank you1
ReplyDeleteThey have cradled you in custom, they have primed you with their preaching, They have soaked you in convention through and through; They have put you in a showcase; you're a credit to their teaching - But can't you hear the Wild? - it's calling you. Let us probe the silent places, let us seek what luck betide us; Let us journey to a lonely land I know. There's a whisper on the night-wind, there's a star agleam to guide us, And the Wild is calling, calling...let us go. Cheap flights to Quito
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