A sunny Sunday morning is a great time for exploring Quito. It is a treat for this wandering foreign service officer to be savored before heading off to the airport for the now all too routine four-hour hurry up-and-wait flight back to Lima.

Quito’s El Ejido Park’s Arco del Triunfo.

With the aging but still reliable Nikon D70 in hand Diplomonkey squeezes in one more exploratory outing into the city.  Quito’s El Ejido Park, with its native crafts fair, not so young former backpackers selling handmade jewelry, and local artists with their paintings make for colorful backdrop.

Detail of Frieze of Quito’s El Ejido Arco del Triunfo.

But wait, there is more. Diplomonkey hears music in the background – need to go and check it out.  Hey, it’s a duo of musicians playing Andean melodies by the Arco del Triunfo. Not too sure about the origin of the costumes, but the music is authentic enough and the quite good.

Quito Quena (alternatively Kena) and Pan Flute Players #1

Quito Quena (alternatively Kena) and Pan Flute Players #2.

Enjoy the sights, Diplomonkey sure did.

Cheers!