HomeStay - Roommate Quito

Quito: The capital city of Ecuador has a population of 1,700,000 inhabitants; average annual temperature corresponds to 19 centigrade degrees, ranging between 23 to 8 centigrade degrees during the nighttime.

Physically, the city resembles a fortress protected by surrounding mountains. Pichincha, the volcano, is the impressive guardian at 4,747 masl, on whose slopes the history of the city has wrought. At 2,800 masl lies the charming second highest city in the world.

Quito was founded on top of the incan former city by Sebastián de Benalcázar on December 6, 1534.

Almost three centuries would las the building of the colonial city following the guidelines of the "Leyes de Indias" (Laws applicable to the Indias), which has given way to harmonious architectural components such as arches, atria, walls and stairways that follow the sinuous contour of the land.

The Colonial City: Colonial Quito, as almost all historical centers of other Latin American cities comprises architectural styles expressed in several styles dating back to the Eighteenth Century throughout the last decades of the past century.

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Several examples of civil and religious architecture of the Sixteenth Century have survived.

In 1978 Quito was declared by the UNESCO as a "Cultural Patrimony of Humanity" in recognition of the artistic wealth found in its "Casco Colonial" -- the Colonial Core, and holds colonial homes, monuments, plazas, churches and convents housing paintings and sculptures by artists belonging to Quito's School of Art. Colonial Quito is looked upon by the Virgin of Quito, atop the Panecillo hill.

There will also be chance to admire tall modern buildings, large shopping malls and all kinds of services provided with the facilities to make in the city comfortable.

Churches are open Monday thru Sunday, from 07:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. and 15:00 thru 18:00, with the exception of the Cathedral which is maintained closed every afternoon. Main churches include:

The Cathedral: Of a neoclassic style, it dates back to the Twelfth Century. Valuable art work produced Quito's School of art is kept in its interior; and the chapel holds the remains of Mariscal Antonio José de Sucre.

El Sagrario: Located next to the Cathedral, it dates back to the end of the Eighteenth Century, and it holds carvings by Bernardo de Legarda.

San Francisco: Built by mid Sixteenth Century and early Seventeenth Century, its interior is painted with gold leaf, in the moorish style; An impressive plaza lies at its feet.

The Chapel of Cantuña: Located next to the church of San Francisco. It holds important precious sculptures.

Company of Jesus Church: One of the most beatiful buildings in all of America is the Church of the Company of Jesus. It has a barroque style and is adorned with gold.

The barroque altar piece, containing works from Quitenian artists, displays a facade of stone of volcanic origen, and Salomonic columns are displayed at the entrance, and they have a reminiscence of the Church of Gesu in Roma.

Santo Domingo: The Church and Convent date back to the XVII Century. Its facade is neoclassical, with moorish decorations and a baroque altar.

La Merced: Built in early Eighteenth Century. The Cloister is noticeable, with works by Francisco Albán. At the central patio a foundation is found which is crowned by a sculpture of Neptune.

San Agustín: Dates back to the Seventeenth Century. The Convent holds works by Miguel de Santiago. The "Sala Capitular" or Ceremonial Formal room was the place where the Act of Independence was signed.

The Surroundings of Quito:

San Antonio de Pichincha

It is located past the Equator which divides the world into two hemispheres. There is an Ethnic Museum to be visited right inside the Monument marking the "Middle of the World". Handcrafts from everywhere in Ecuador may be bought at the various shops; there is a miniature Colonial Quito which is very well liked by visitors, as well as an In Situ Museum; you can travel further to the wonderful Crater of the Pululahua or to the archeological ruins of Rumicucho, in addition to enjoying the delicious typical food.

Sangolquí and Conocoto

Marketplaces are the food supply for Quiteños who go to buy on the weekends. These sites belong to the suburban city of San Rafael.

Calderón

This is a town which is practically a part of Quito. It is well known for its rolled, preserved bread dough figurines (non-edible). These are good keepsakes of your visit. Some of them, those called "guaguas de pan" (dough children in Quichua) are sold on the Day of the Dead (November 2). Anthropologists believe that the figures are reminiscent of animal and human sacrifices among previous native tribes.

Guayllabamba (Quito's Metropolitan Zoo)

This small town lies in a subtropical valley on the Quito-Ibarra or Quito-El Quinche highway. Travelers normally buy locally produced fruits which are specific for this altitude: chirimoyas, avocados, citrics, grapes.

Cayambe

It is a small town located next to the volcano which bears the same name and very close to the Equator; the surrounding areas are well known for its milk production and related agribusiness; dairy products and the famous "bizcochos" (bisquits) are offered for sale.

Machachi

Located 35 Km. south of Quito. This small city holds some 20,000 people. You may visit the Güitig mineral water facilities, the largest mineral water bottling company in Ecuador.

The "Tolas" (burial mounds) de Cochasquí

These are flattened pyramids located next to the small town of Tabacundo. Approximately 15 topless pyramids have been discovered, with 21 Mounds or 36 Pre-Incan buildings, an Archeological Museum and an Ethnic Museum.