Day 7: Freaking cool basilica

Remeber the basilica I told you about the other day? Well I decided to go explore after school today. I walked from school (I love being able to walk places) to the north side of Old Town. The Basilica sits up on a slope and overlooks the city. In the guide books they say to be sure and climb the tower, so that's what I did...

Here is the Basilica, in all it's glory, sitting on the hill...

When you get closer to the church you see that the gargoyles are representative of animals native to Ecuador...

See the anteaters? How cool! There were many different animals represented...

monkeys...

and alligators... there was also turtles, jaguars, iguanas, but I was on the wrong side of the sun. I'll have to go back in the morning when the sun is shining on the front of the church.

So I walked around to the side and bought a $2 ticket to go up the tower. I had no idea what I was in for...

In the narrow staircase I came to the first floor and there was an overlook into the church.

Sorry it's so dark...

Finally I get to an arrow that points - this way to the tower... ok, I thought I was in the tower... nope I have to walk across this makeshift bridge first.

Ok, this looks totally safe. Hey, what is that at the end of this wooden path way? Is that a metal ladder?

Yup, it is...

Phew. I made it. Wait, what is that over there?

Shit, I don't like the looks of that! I think I'll just stay here and enjoy the view. Wait, what will my family say when I tell them that I went to the "almost" top of the tower. That is lame. Ok, deep breath, you can do it...

Ok, I'm at the stupid top of this thing... I don't like it one bit. It's windy and cold up here. Hey, the guide book says it's over 300 feet up!

Don't look down! Crap, I looked down. I could only hope to impale myself with some sort of gothic metal rod on the way down...

Ok, ok, I'll try and enjoy the view.

Damn there's a lot of houses out there.

Ok, it's time to go back down. Whew, I am all worked up and my stomach, which hasn't been normal in a few days is now in knots. I know people like adrenaline rushes, but I feel a bit queasy. I think I'll just head back to the bottom as fast as I can.

OMG, see that tall spire? That's where I was. Time to sit on a bench and relax for a minute. Now my head is filled with spanish and my guts are grumbling... nothing like traveling :)

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