Tuesday of Quito Days!!!

So Monday night we went over to Christin's place for some drinks and a couple games of Cuarenta. This game is very typical in Quito, especially during Quito Days (celebration of when Quito was Founded).
The Game is really simple once you know the Rules ( kind of of like Euchre in the way that if you do not know the rules you are completely lost until you understand and then it all clicks!)


The Best part is that I won!!


Tuesday I woke up and did not even have time to be chuchaqui!! Lars and Cathy were waiting for me so we could go to Old Quito. First we went to a museum (El Museo De La Cuidad). It was an old hospital int eh 1500's to the early 1900's. Now it is a museum of the history of Quito. It is also the oldest building still standing in Quito!

The church that is in the hospital now they have digital pictures that are a TV screen.. which means that they move. It is like being in a scary Harry Potter church...

IN teh old days that used to travel using trunks instead of suitcases.. This truck has a bed that extends.. worlds first sleeping bag! It probably was the most comfortable thing to travel on as well!

Then we came home and watched a movie and ate popcorn... Ziggy LOVES popcorn, So I shared some! Mom would be proud!

Papallacta (an adventure with the boys!)

Papallacta is a tiny city that is know only for the natural hot springs!

 When we got here we checked in to our hostel Don Wilson then trecked up the road to the springs.

They were verying temperatures from 90ish to 110 degrees. They also had Cold pools that were about 30 degrees!

When we got back to our hostel we decide to order dinner. The manager was there and decided to upgrade us for only 3 dollars more! So we got to spend the night in a $150 room!

The food was delicious at our new place. We had trout... which is a main dish in Papallacta.

And figs with cheese for desert!

Then we checked into our new room. 3 Beds, a fireplace, our own private hot springs tub in our room and plenty of blankets. 

We all grabbed a couple of cervesas and head out to the springs for some relaxation and good talks.

The next morning we had a great breakfast that was complementary and then hiked up on of the mountains. First we made a friend....

The hike was steep and very muddy, but the view was worth it!

We only had a little bit left to go when we ran in to a wall of earth. The boys were hesitant to climb but I used the vines and flew up the incline! ( they followed not wanting to look like pussies!)

The view at the top of the mountain was way worth it. Breath taking!

Otavalo Adventures!

After a failed attempt to try to go to the cost this weekend.... We decided to take a day trip to Otavalo. I went with Mom dad and Melissa but because we have a small car the boys took the bus. The girls were kind of sick this week so they wanted to rest up today and they have already been with their familys. 

It was a 2 hour car ride... Usually only about 1 hour but traffic was horrible becasue of the holiday.

When we arrived we had to find the boys in the maze then we were completly overwhelmed. There are hundreds of stalls with things. And they all want you to buy from them. 

The colors were magnificent there. There was so much to see and so much to buy.

They have everything to textiles, to paintings, to little knick knacks, to food and grains.

We had a little lunch then it started to pour! And it rained and rained and rained....

The god thing is that i got some Christmas shopping done! And I had Fun shopping.. that never happens. 

We decided that we felt bad for the boys taking the bus so we all crammed into the car for the ride home. Not only were we squeezing but we were all soaking wet and exhausted!

To break up the trip we stooped in a little place to have bizcoches and hot coco. The bizcoches are an Ecuadorian biscuit. They are really dry and are the best when soaked in the hot coco!

Fiestas de Quito.. At School!

We started the day just like any Friday with Happy hour! this is when every one brings in a breakfast food to pass.. usually a sweet. and we eat and drink together before the students get there.

The traditional dance of Ecuador

Then it was the Quito day assembly. This was put on by the 3rd grade classrooms (there are 9 3rd grade classrooms). 

The gargolas of the basilica

The geto of Ecuador (my favorite)

The native

The religions walk carying the virgin

The virgin at the top of the hill with teh angels. 

The classy ladies

Each class represented a different part of Quito and Quito's history.

Then we were provided with a traditional Ecuadorian lunch!

After lunch we made a traditional snack with the kinders and danced a traditional dance!

The class enjoying their snack and me dancing with Ray!

the boys have to bow to their lady before they can dance!.. and we did the train! apparently it is very traditional and has some symbolism. 

The girls waiting patiently for their man! and Juan Fernando and Julaiana cutting a rug!

The two shyist kids dancing hard!

SOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!

GREAT DAY!

Feria de toros (Bull fights)

To start off  Fiestas de Quito, we decided to go to a bullfight. The fiestas are to celebrate the anniversary of the foundation of the capital city, Quito. 

The bullfight was introduced to Ecuador during the spanish conquest. It is said that the bulls have been blessed by various religious missions that populate the Andes . These Cattle are now possessed with fierceness, nobility and casta (genetic purity). these things make the bulls special and it is an honor for them to die in the arena.

This year there is a law banning killing the bulls in the arena. At first you might think that this is a good thing. But as soon as you enter the arena and listen to the fans you know this is terrible. 

What I learned from the girl sitting next to me: When the bulls die in the arena they are given much honor. They are raised to die her and when they do it is beautiful and meaningful. In the old days they used to use the meet from the bull that died to feed the poor. they could cut it and sell it a cheap price. Then there was a law stopping the selling of the meet if the bull was killed outside the arena. (Because of sanitation/health reasons... I didn't understand that part that much.) Now that they cant kill the bull inside the arena the death is less important. people say that the government is taking away the bulls honor. Also they used to kill them in the arena with one swift blow to the neck. Now they give a series of painful electric shocks. And they are messing with tradition!

But we had a great time and got to see some really cool tricks!


Here is a video we took of the bull fighting the horse!

   

Baños!!!! (The city not the bathroom!) Day 3

After we woke up from our amazing night out at the bar........

 First we had to remember what actually happened.. apparently Peter danced on the poll!






It was a hot a sweaty bar with absolutely no air....
But we meet some new friends and spent the entire day with them!

And we got to see everyone's great dance moves... Kyle was the most impressive. Especially with his salsa moves!


In the morning after breakfast we went to the Thermals (hot springs). It looked like we were swimming the gravy. The springs are made up of mineral water that comes straight from the waterfalls. But it made your skin feel really soft after.

Then we were off.... We wanted to take the rhino car but we weren't sure if we would make it the 3 hour drive..

Then we were off to leather land. First we took a 45 minute bus ride to Ambato. Then a 45 minute bus ride to Quisapincha (leather land). Everything there is made out of 100% leather! Then back to Amato then off to Quito 3 1/2 hours away... then an hour taxi drive.  By the time i got home i was jet lag all over again. so much traveling but so worth it.