Beer festival in the old town

June 25, 2017

Unlike yesterday, where I had to work on two caches and a small to-do list, this morning I sat at the breakfast table without a specific goal. On the map that I received at the beginning of language school, I discovered undiscovered white spots. In the old town, I had not yet seen the Church of San Francisco and the square in front of it, although I had seen it on Google Earth during my preparation for this Ecuador adventure. So: old town, San Francisco and the pre-Columbian museum right nearby, which I had identified in the TripAdvisor list of places to visit in Quito.

From Marin Central, I went up to Plaza Grande (= Independence Square) at half past nine. There wasn't much going on yet, means, there were at most half of the people on the square that you would usually see on a day off. Maybe about seven or eight hundred. In the queue for the Presidential Palace, there were at most twenty people, so that could have been an option, but no. Two streets towards Panecillo and two streets to the right and upwards on Sucre to the square in front of the Church of San Francisco. But there was construction site and I had to pass it on the right until I could see the church and half of the square in front. There was a mass going on in the church and I stood in the back. I haven't been in a church for a long time, the last time I think was in the Lateran Palace in Rome. I arrived in time for communion. I skipped the communion with my backpack on my back, but I was able to share the sign of peace with some churchgoers and receive the final blessing. I went out before the big crowd pushed out and saw the beggars take positions outside. Good tactic, waiting for the churchgoers. How dare they, who listened piously to the words of the priest and want to follow the path of Jesus, to ignore them, the poorest of the poor? I also gave a coin to one of the waiting ones. One, not all. He was sitting on the ground with one leg missing. A grateful look was my reward. I have observed several times that Ecuadorians give money to beggars. More often than people do here.

Then to the Casa del Alabado, right nearby. That's the museum with pre-Columbian artifacts. I don't want to go into great detail, just a few brief remarks. Although I had an audio guide in English, you would need a guide, especially since I have zero knowledge about the pre-Columbian culture in this area. Secondly, the museum is very clean and beautifully designed, the objects are well presented. Hats off! Thirdly, with no knowledge, I simply admired the peculiarity and beauty of the exhibited objects. I noticed how many similarities there are to other cultures. East Asian, Aztec, and even Egyptian came to mind. And ... designs that I would describe as top modern, with simple, clear lines.

After the museum, I walked towards Panecillo. And suddenly I discovered wonderful corners and streets that I saw for the first time. Up on La Ronda, I turned back towards Plaza Grande and behold, now there were people on the square, more than usual. It was crowded and there was music and people were dancing. Not only the dancers in colorful costumes and the masked dancers, even the people and even tourists moved to the rhythm. It felt like carnival to me. Down Garcia Moreno, a procession came. Escorted by the police on flashing motorcycles, the riders in gleaming white uniforms, a picture of Jesus was accompanied in a kind of procession with music, colorful costumes, and folk dancing. White and red rose petals were thrown on the street in front of the picture of Jesus. Unfortunately, once again I didn't have the camera in my backpack. So I tried to take some reasonably good pictures with my cell phone.

Later on the Ecovia towards Rio Coca, I saw more folk dance and traditional groups on the street. They were also moving towards the old town.

Actually, I planned to take a leisurely walk through Parque Carolina after lunch in Avenida de los Estados Unidos, watch the people and maybe make a stop at Parque Ejido. But my cell phone had only 20 percent battery left, I apparently left the charging cable and charger at home, so I started the journey home a bit early today.

In the Rancho Los Pinos neighborhood, I used the lower street for the first time today. There I saw the two volleyball courts, where two teams were competing against each other. The typical Ecuadorian volleyball game with a hard soccer ball. I know that, because one time it flew directly towards me and I threw it back. People were sitting all around and watching. This is a Saturday and Sunday pleasure, as an older gentleman told me, who wanted to have his picture taken before.

I would also like to play sometime. It should be possible. But the teams here are experienced and the next ones are already waiting outside. It seems to be like a small weekend championship.