Centro Historico

I have now been in Quito one week and I am basically a local! I am really starting to get the hang of using all of the buses and taxis, both to get to school and around town in general! I have spent the last two days exploring parts of the city that I don't know, mostly the Old Town and trying to figure my way around Mariscal.

On Saturday, I started out the morning with coffee in La Mariscal at a cafe called Kallari that specialized in chocolate. Then I found my way to a small craft market, a popular tourist spot in La Mariscal, just down the road. However, I didn't buy anything, because I am holding out for the huge Otavalo market in a couple weeks!

I took a taxi from La Mariscal to Parque Itchimbia, a small hill suggested to me by my host mom for its amazing view of Quito. 

On Sunday, the Oregon group of students went on a City Tour of the Old town as well. We toured many Catholic churches and cathedrals around El Centro Historico.

Iglesia de Santo Domingo

Iglesia de San Francisco

Iglesia de la Compañia de Jesús

This church was built before Quito was even a city. It is so beautiful inside and nearly everything is gold plated. They talked to us about the importance of symmetry in the church and how every angel look exactly the same. Unfortunately, we were unable to take pictures inside. 

Basilica del Voto Nacional
This church was donated the one and only time a pope came to Ecuador. The coolest thing about it is that instead of being guarded by gargoyles, it is guard by animals of the Galapagos Islands.

See that pointy structure to the right side of the picture above?
The picture to the left is me stand at the very top of it. It only
took me 20 minutes to climb the ladder, but I made it! 

This is me at a much lower, but still high and just as scary, terrace at the Bassilica. You can see the Angel at Papallacta in the background. 

Last, but certainly not least, we were able to visit the Presidential Plaza and the President's House. Although the president does not live there, he has living quarters and has his office there. The palace was beautiful fill with gold plated china, giant chandeliers, Guayasamin art work, and more.

The Ecuadorian Flag

The Presidential Plaza

First Day of School

I just completed my first day of school (all in Spanish)!

The name of my Ecuadorian University is Universidad de San Francisco de Quito. It is located outside of the main city of Quito in an area called Cumbaya. Here are some pictures of the beautiful campus:

View over Cumbaya

A school day starts out with a long bus ride, including 3 bus connections. My first class, Cultura Ecuatoriana, starts at 8:30 am. Followed by Sociedades Amazonicas and Conversacion Avanzada. Then, I have a 1.5 hr. break for lunch. My last class of the day is Arte Moderno Ecuatoriano. Then, 3 buses home and I get home around 5 pm.

Although my day is kind of long, I only have class on Tuesday and Thursday followed by 4 DAY WEEKENDS. I plan to use my long weekends to travel around Ecuador.

Tatiana:)

La Mariscal- Day and Night

La Mariscal, or Gringolandia, is a part of Quito that filled with shops and restaurants during the day and night clubs and bars during the night. Since we had nothing to do yesterday (Tuesday 8/26) a couple of us Oregon students decided to get some practice using the buses and discover what Gringolandia was all about.

Some Sights near La Mariscal.

Trivia at Finn McCool's

Later that night, one of our Ecuabuddies (an Ecuadorian student who is paired up with us through a club at USFQ) invited us out to Trivia at Finn McCool's, an "Irish Pub" in La Mariscal. We played a game of very Gringo-centric trivia, similar to what I play on Tuesday nights at Applebee's in Corvallis (One of the questions was even "What is Tiger Woods actual first name?") After trivia we went out dancing for a bit, before we all piled into a taxi together and headed home.

Los Fuegos Trivia Team

Tatiana:)

I Made It!

I landed yesterday afternoon here in Ecuador. I am all unpacked in my new room.

My host family has been so welcoming and wonderful! My first day of school is on Wednesday and I have an orientation on Monday!

Here are some pictures of my new room:

After a crazy week, today is the day! 

I have everything packed and ready to go! 

My flight leaves this evening at 5:45 p.m., so I will be leaving for the airport soon! '

See you in January!

Tatiana :)

Welcome!

Hi Everyone!

You found it!! Here is my new blog for my trip to Ecuador. This is where I will be posting pictures and updates about my adventure.

I leave on Friday, August 22nd, 2014 from PDX and fly to Quito, Ecuador.

Thanks for reading!

Tatiana :)