"It's a dangerous business going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to."
-J. R. R. Tolkien

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Around Quito: Day 1



I was able to spend two days exploring and seeing the sights of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. The first day the rest of my research team and I decided to find the local artisan market and vegetable market.  We decided to take the trolley/bus for 25 cents. The trolley is the public transportation of Quito. I found it very fast, efficient, and sometimes extremely crowded. Well, we got off and tried to follow the directions we were given, which turned out to be wrong. Instead we wandered around until we saw a cool church and decided to eat lunch at a nearby restaurant. The owner then gave us proper directions so we did make it to the artisan market. On the way we were able to see random street performers and how people really lived, not what tourist are presented with. The Artisan market was extremely fascinating. I have never seen anything like it. The rows were packed full of people. Each stall was small and tiered.   The owners either tried to get your attention or were to bored to do anything.  When buying anything it was expected to barter the price down at least a dollar. Most things in the market cost good amount less than they would in the USA.  In the fruit market the displays were very colorful, exotic, and incredibly tall. The majority of the fruit and vegetables I saw I did not know what they were or how you would eat it. It was interesting to see fruits that I know and grow from Utah being sold in Quito.  The stalls were all squished together just like the artisan market. I am hoping on my return journey home that I will be able to stop by the artisan market before rushing off to the airport.  I guess we will see if that works out.
 This is the Artisan Market I visited.
 And this is a typical fruit stand.
 A Street Performer
 A Second Street Performer
 And this is where I ate lunch.


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