If you like rain, a heaping of fog and a cool chill in the air, then coming to Quito, Ecuador, in March is just for you. But if you like celebrating your birthday in a country you’ve never been to before, like I am, then maybe you put on your rain gear and make the most of it. And, that’s what I did for my first full day in Quito. 

My main reason for coming to Quito first was obviously to see the city, in Ecuador, a country I had never been too plus it would give me the chance to slowly acclimate to the high altitude before moving onto Colombia for my Intrepid Travel tour. So, on my first full day in the country, I decided to take a 3-hour morning walking tour and in the afternoon, the Middle of the World tour. I always like to jump in with both feet and really get a feel for a place. Well, I definitely got a feel, as I huffed and puffed my way up the many stairs and hilly streets of Quito. And, by the end of the day, I was quite happy but completely worn out. I got in the bed around 6pm last night and didn’t get out of it until 6am this morning. 

Just a little about Quito, the capital of Ecuador. It was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city and stands at an altitude or elevation of 9,350 feet or 2,850 meters. And is known for its well-preserved colonial center, rich with 16th- and 17th-century churches and other structures blending European, Moorish and indigenous styles. Despite the 1917 earthquake, the city has the best-preserved, least altered historic centre in Latin America.  

Ecuador is located in the western corner at the top of the South American continent and is named after the Equator, the imaginary line around the Earth that splits the country in two. Most of the country is in the Southern Hemisphere. Ecuador is roughly the size of Colorado and is bordered by Colombia and Peru.

For now, here’s a view of just a few of Quito’s highlights and once I catch my breath, more to come.

Here’s my Sunday church outing in the historical center of Quito.

I was scheduled to take an afternoon free walking tour of street art, graffiti, historic haciendas and food markets in the La Floresta neighborhood of Quito on Monday. I showed up prior to the designated time and at the correct meeting point but as time went on, it appeared that I was the only one there. I wish I could say it was my own mix-up, like the wrong day, time or location but this time, it wasn’t. The tour was obviously canceled except no one from the walking tour company chose to let me know.

So instead of sharing a number of beautiful street art and graffiti, I’m sharing my dinner and a beautiful art piece of indigenous women on the side of an apartment complex.

My last full day in Quito and Ecuador started early in the morning but thankfully I finally had a good night’s sleep and I was ready for my day-long adventures outside of Quito on a tour featuring the indigenous Otavalo Market and several other small towns. And, this time, the tour was a ‘go’!

I met my day tour guide and group at the Plaza San Blas before being whisked off on our two-plus hours bus ride outside of Quito. Our first morning stop was our visit to the town of Cayambe to enjoy their Bizcochos, or biscuits, with dulce de leche, sweeten condensed or carmalized milk. After a very nice presentation and sampling of the Bizcochos, we moved on to another Middle of the World location at the Solar Museum with a much more scientific presentation and a solar clock in Cayambe.

From the Middle of the World exhibit, we picked up a guest, Marta, a young indigenous woman from the Otavalo area who shared her culture’s clothing with us on our way to the Otavalo Market. She was also selling some of her family’s goods and as I was ready to buy a yellow scarf from her, my very sweet tour companion Phung, gifted me the scarf as an early birthday present. Thank you so much Phung.

And, the highlight of the trip, the authentic indigenous Otavalo Market with its variety of quality artisanal goods, did not disappoint. The Otavalo Market, locally known as Plaza de los Ponchos and Centenario Market, is considered one of the largest indigenous markets in Latin America. We spent an hour and a half at the market where I ended up spending most of my USD buying jewelry and perusing this colorful market. USD is the currency in Ecuador so that’s been quite nice.

The best thing to do after walking around the colorful Otavalo Market and spending money, is a nice lunch in the town of Cotacachi. And then a nice walk around the town to burn off some of those lunch calories.

Our last stop, while it started to rain a little harder, before heading back to Quito in the late afternoon, was the crater lake of Cuicocha in Cotacachi.

And, a shoutout to where I stayed while in Quito, the Hotel La Basilica.

Come join me for my pleasant, yet still raining and overcast, last day in Ecuador. Next adventure is Colombia, starting in Bogota.