London and Quito

Awaiting boarding at Heathrow

We started our travelling in London yesterday and had a day at Greenwich - you'll see why on the next page.

It was a whole day flight the first leg being 8.5 hrs to Miami. There we had a long wait, which was just as well since it takes an age to get through US immigration (even if you're only passing through the country) and even longer to get boarding cards from American Airways - since the luggage was checked through to Quito we were put into a separate slow-track queue to delay us further. 

It was then 3.5 hrs on a grubby AA plane to Quito - my choice of meal wasn't available so I was offered pizza - not liking cheese I declined.

Next day was programmed as a walking tour of the old town, taking about two and a half hours. I couldn't believe how little we did for the time taken. We started in Independence Square.

Here the guide told us the history of each individual building around the square. We then walked half a block to one of the Wonders of the World (according to an Automobile Association book we have). That is La Compania Church, once described as Quito's answer to the Sistine Chapel.

The interior has tons of gold lavished on the interior - writings vary on the quantity and some say over 7 tons. There are also some nice frescos such as a "dummy spiral staircase" on one side of the door to match a real one on the other. From here we walk one block - actually it is after half a block that we realise that neither of us had the daybag containing the camera lenses and camcorder - it is still in the church. Miraculously, that is still the case - it is still in the church. 

So, one block further on we arrive at San Francisco square/church. This was down a street previously notorious for pickpockets and muggers but following a significant clean-up campaign, which involved relocating the street markets elsewhere this is less of a problem now. After a coffee and souvenir shop stop, that is our walking tour done - not a very extensive tour of the old town.

From here we drive up a hill to a statue of the Virgin Mary which also provides a view over the old town.

That was the morning - the bus driver has some spare time this afternoon and has offered to go to Mitad del Mundo, and take those those who want to go (for a fee, of course). We want to go....

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