Day 2: Holy Churches - Batman

I decided that today I would walk from New Town to Old Town. As far as I can tell from the map it looks like it's 4 km one way, so not too far. The weather was fantastic. Because it's Sunday a lot of stores were closed, however there were hundreds of people in the parks. As I wandered through the parks I thought about City Park in Denver and how much I miss going there with Winnie.

As I got closer to Old Town I looked toward the big volcano and here's what I saw peeking out through the buildings...

The joy of having no plan is that when you see something like this, you just head stratight for it. I love when cities have tall things to use as landmarks as you try and weasel your way around.

Up on a hill the massive Basilica del Voto Nacional is the tallest chruch in all of Ecuador! The construction started in 1892 and it is still not finished. For some reason the church is built using mostly concrete. There was a mass going on and since I was wearing a hat and toting a backpack I decided that I'd come back another time to see the inside and get up close and personal. Apparently the gargoyles are based on Ecuadorian animals - cool.

I went into the heart of Old Town and there are churches everywhere.

I should have written down all the names of the churches, but who knew this would be a chruch day? I love the way the sky looks behind this church. I want to say that this is Santo Domingo - but I'm not sure.

People just hanging out. I love it! Just chillin' in front of the church. As I walked closer I got a view of the door...

So much energy and time is put into church stuff! You can feel the passion oozing from the people. And then you think how hungry people are and if the church could save a little money from all that "stuff" to feed more people.

Look up by the alter... it is a nun with a camera! She was taking several photos from different angles.

I took a bunch more photos today, so you can check my facebook page for those. I did add a couple of street dog photos, but the dogs are scare in the city. I'll have to venture further out to find some. Tomorrow... first day of Spanish classes :0