Quito,
Ecuador
Saturday, April 7, 2007
This week was "Semana Santa" and today (6th April) it is traditional for a large procession to go around the old town of Quito. After wandering around the old town, we saw the procession which consisted mainly of many barefooted individuals wearing purple cloaks with long pointy hats. Most were just walking along at a slow pace, while others carried crucifixes on their backs. It seemed that there were hundreds of bands inbetween the purple monks (as I called them) and all trying to make the best (and loudest) music. Great too see, but when the heavens opened we ran with our ineffective plastic (50p each) ponchos straight into a taxi back to the hostel. The other observers were much more with it and brought their brollies! Later on I tried the local dish "fanesca" which is only served in this week, and basically was a fish soup with every possible vegetable they could squeeze in and the next course of rice and milk. Great stuff, but couldnīt finish the soup, let alone the rice!
So, we have pretty much done Quito now and are off on Sunday (8th April) to the Galapagos for our 8 day cruise. Iīve brought the underwater camera, so should have some great photos of turtles and hammer-head sharks in a few weeks. Also, might need to buy some sea-sick tablets incase the weatherīs a bit rough too...
After that, we return to Quito for one last night and then itīs off to Baņos.
