happy new year from quito, ecuador

Happy New Year...who knows what is coming in 2018?

Like many people, visiting the Galapagos is something that is on many people's "bucket lists."  But even though I will be venturing to the islands as part of this trip, the first 5 days have focused on Quito, Ecuador, a city bustling with traditional and contemporary arts, a vibrant cycling scene, and some of the most beautiful scenery of any large city I've visited.

My friend and resident of Quito, Daniela, who recently returned from an amazing mountain bike tour across South America with a group of women, arranged to have me picked up at the airport and the next few days have been a whirlwind of visiting beautiful places around the city.

Day one was spent wandering the botanical gardens and chatting, grabbing lunch, settling into my AirBnB, and wandering the historic city center.  Below is a hodgepodge of photos of the first few days.  It has been a beautiful and epic trip so far.  Everything I could have hoped for.  Next stop...the Galapagos!

Steeping some Cedron tea, picked from Daniela's back yard

At the Basilica enjoying coffee and letter writing

Well endowed cherub...there is a story about this...

My room with a view

Contemporary art exhibit with performances happening at this event.

The city is full of murals

Sampling some tripe at the street vendors with Daniela

Empanadas!

The botanical gardens featured one of the most amazing collections of orchids.  Some highlights are below (note a few of these are not orchids).

Carnivorous plants collection

Don't bite!

Audrey II

Dracula Orchid...aptly named

At the Alabado Museum...amazing artifacts

Day three was filled with a bike ride of about 50 miles (?) that was beautiful and taxing if only because the elevation of the city is around 9000 ft.  My legs and heart felt good but there were points on the most intense climbs that my lungs couldn't get all the oxygen I needed.  Beautiful ride with a wonderful lunch at the halfway point.

The main portion of the ride was along a "rails to trails" route.

A traditional potato soup that was delicious.  And everything benefits from avocado being added to it!

A much deserved beer (or two) at the end of New Year's Eve day.

Conveniently, Juan rides the same sized bike as me.

And, finally, ringing in the New Year with fireworks over the city.  Not a bad view from just outside my bedroom at the AirBnB.  2017 began with a depressing state of affairs in the world and has only seen things spiral in horrifying ways on a political level.  Amazing how many people I know are doing their best to balance the awfulness of the Trump era, but still finding the joy in their daily lives to stay engaged and not burn themselves out by focusing on the negative. On a personal level the year has had it's ups and downs but it has been nice to find myself again, and even better to end on such a positive note.  I'm looking forward to adventures and joys and challenges that 2018 will bring.