This is an attempt at chronicling our wayward adventures through South America. We have been somewhat lazy up to this point, so this will be an (un)chronological account of these travels as we catch up to the present.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Quito, Basilica

During my last stay in Ecuador, the Basilica was one of my favorite parts of Quito's Centro Historico. My friend Dan (who just so happened to be with us again) and I went up to the top of the old church then, and I couldn't resist bringing Peter there so he could experience the rather terrifying climb (also beautiful building).

One of the first levels we reached was the huge stained glass window that looks over the main hall of the church. The window is extremely colorful, and so the overall effect is wonderful, but I was especially amazed to discover that each panel is decorated with orchids (of which there are thousands of species in Ecuador).


After a few flights of big stone stairs, we were confronted with a narrow wooden bridge that, as you can see, passes over the top of the arches that look so impressive from the inside. Walking over them is pretty nervewracking.


But, even after a series of outdoor almost-vertical stairs, we made it to the top! The view is amazing--a 360-degree shot of the whole city spread out in front of you and the mountains lining it on both sides.
 
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