Ecuador’s geography includes a coastline, the Amazon rainforest, the highlands in the Andes Mountains and the Galápagos Islands. I flew from the USA to Quito, Ecuador, the oldest capital and declared an UNESCO Heritage site in 1978.  The city sits at the foot of Pinchincha volcano. We visited Old Town Quito. Two thousand feet higher you’ll discover the modern parts of the city. The city was originally founded in 1534.

I am with a 12 person tour group, Overseas Adventure Travel. We visited Old Town Quito with its 60 plus Catholic Churches. The Church of the Society of Jesus required 160 years of work to complete it with all its surfaces gold-plated. Interestingly we noticed there was Virgin Mary pictured at the alter, not Jesus. The Ecuadorian people admire mother/Virgin Mary.

Santa Clara market is in Old Town. One area with fruits and vegetables, another area with meat, and another with flowers. Ecuador has many greenhouses where 98% of the plants grown are roses. A short walk from the hotel, I stopped in at the La Mariscal Artisan Market. Each vendor has a stall displaying woven fabrics, such as alpaca blankets, and baskets, etc. for purchase.

We also visited the Inti Nan Museum and Agave Museum. Both had fascinating displays and much to learn from the presenters. At the Inti Nan Museum we stood on the equator and I balanced a raw egg on a nail. At the Agave Museum we had a tour of the gardens, a delicious lunch and tasting.

Unfortunately I made an observation in the city and our guide admitted to a huge pollution problem. When using a toilet, signs indicate no toilet paper is to be thrown in the toilet. As we traveled down the thousand feet from luxury housing to more shambled housing closer to the main river in Quito, I asked why there was so much foam on the river’s surface. I suspected the answer, but wanted to know for sure. Our guide admitted there is no sewage treatment of the city’s waste water, thus the foam. It’s a problem requiring lots of money to solve and one politicians never talk about. I understand there was a dam to generate hydroelectric power further down the river; however, sediment built up at it and only 30% electricity is generated. It doesn’t sound like a solution to waste water is coming.