Quito

We are in Quito just for one full day. We booked a room at the Hotel Plaza Grande that overlooks the plaza featuring the  Carondelet Palace, the seat of government of the Republic of Ecuador.  To the distance on a hill is the stature of Virgin Mary.  We didn’t know there would be a ceremony in the morning complete with horses.

Statue of Virgin Mary

Our hotel

An unexpected snowstorm

We were worried that our flight to Chicago would be canceled because there was an unexpected snowstorm. It wasn’t too bad, but we will be happy to be in Ecuador tomorrow.

The snow looks prettier in the morning with the sun than in the evening when you’re trying to read the license plate on your Uber and can’t see it because it’s covered in snow. The cooler weather is almost sort of a nice change but we both agree we can do without precipitation coming into contact with our persons. 

Ecuador: Quito, Galapagos and Tandayapa

Well, here's the plan.  We head to Ecuador, have a full day in Quito and then go to Galapagos for 10 days. After that, it's birdwatching in Tandayapa near Quito.  Chris has packed the clothes, Mike the cameras and binoculars.   It should be fun, but just in case we brought medivac insurance.