Category Archives: Ecuador

Okay, So I’m a Slacker

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Diplomonkey has been slacker; no doubt about it.  No new posts about assignment Lima/Quito in far too long.  Have a slew of photos, but have been far too lazy/tired to write about my adventures.

So to make up for being such a slacker, old Diplomonkey will share some real cool photos taken today towards sunset today in Quito.

Cotopaxi volcano spewing ash

Cotopaxi Volcano #1 – Spewing Ash

Ecuador, and Quito in particular is one of Diplomonkey’s favorite haunts.  It is a crazy, funky place where anything is possible.

Cotopaxi 2

Cotopaxi Volcano #2 – Ash Plume

Enjoy the photos, Diplomonkey  certainly had fun taking these from the hotel.  Enjoying the Nikon D2x.

Cotopaxi Volcano #3

Cotopaxi Volcano #3 – Snow Cap Is Melting

These are for Sam the Hamster.

Cheers from Quito!

Postcards from Ecuador – Quito’s El Ejido Park

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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.

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.

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 and Pan Flute Players.

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

Quito Quena and Pan Flute Players #2.

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

Enjoy the sights, Diplomonkey sure did.

Cheers!

Postcards from Ecuador – Climbing Wawa Pichincha Volcano

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Diplomonkey did not have anything better to do on his day off on his latest trip up to Quito than to go and climb a mountain, or in this case a volcano.  That is, the Wawa (i.e., child in the Kichwa language) Pichincha volcano towering over the city.

Which BTW lasted erupted in October 1999, covering Quito in three inches of volcanic ash.

Cable Car to the 4,100 meter mark.

View of Quito – Cable Car drop off point at the 4,100 meter mark.

Chapel on the trail up to Ruku Pichincha

Chapel on the trail up to Ruku Pichincha.

The volcano is easy to reach from Quito via a cable car that will drop you off at the 4,100 meter mark.  From there, you start climbing toward the Ruku Pichincha (i.e., old person in Kichwa) peak.  The air is thin!

Riding down from Ruku Pichincha.

Riding down from Ruku Pichincha.

Riding down from Ruku Pichincha.

Riding down from Ruku Pichincha.

Next time Diplomonkey is up in Quito, and if time permits, he will get a horse and ride up to the caldera is style.  Cool, warm ponchos are provided.

Pichincha Horse and corral at about 4,300 meters.

Pichincha Horse and corral at about 4,300 meters – will hire this one next time.

Dude running the trail down from Ruku Pichincha.

Dude running the trail down from Ruku Pichincha.

Enjoy the sights.

Cheers!

Postcards from Ecuador – Quito’s Church of San Francisco

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Diplomonkey has been on the move once again throughout the Andes.  One of his latest sojourns has been through Quito in Republic of Ecuador; and just in time to celebrate the Fourth of July at U.S. Embassy Quito and even run into the Holy Father (i.e., the Pope) at the airport.

Quito's Church and Convent of San Francisco.

Quito’s Church and Convent of San Francisco.

View of the Jesuit Church of the Company as seen from San Francisco Church and Convent.

View of the Jesuit Church of the Company as seen from Quito’s San Francisco Church and Convent.

Interior dome and main altar of Quito's Church and Convent of San Francisco.

Interior dome and main altar of Quito’s baroque Church and Convent of San Francisco.

Quito is one of Diplomonkey’s favorite towns.  Rich in very well preserved Spanish colonial architecture, Quito offers incredible sights and sounds.  Nice people, good food, and a relaxed pace make Quito an excellent place to visit, and in Diplomonkey’s case also work.

Pulpit in Quito's Church and Convent of San Francisco.

Carved wooden pulpit in Quito’s Church and Convent of San Francisco.

Woman with Hats.

Woman with Hats.

Older Woman looking at Belts

Old Woman with Hat.

Enjoy the sights.

Cheers!