Breathless in Quito

Arrived back in Quito last night and staying in a beautiful apartment in the old town (a meticulously restored 200-year-old colonial residence). Quito sits at 2900m above sea level - the highest capital city in the world, and the oldest capital in South America. It is also the closest city to the equator. Quito was first settled about 8,000BC, and was declared a city in 1541, and became part of Spain in 1563. In 1809 the people revolted but it wasn't until 1822 under Simon Bolivar that the town became independent. Over many years the place was beset by civil wars and uprisings. Interesting fact was in 1949, a realistic broadcast of H. G. Wells' novel The War of the Worlds led to citywide panic, and the deaths of more than twenty people who died in fires set by mobs. Quito is surrounded by volcanoes, the last of which erupted in 2002. Another interesting fact is that Quito receives some of the greatest solar radiation in the world due to its altitude. Quito has the largest, least-altered, and best-preserved historic centre in the Americas. My walk around town this morning was at times a struggle, especially the ascent to the monumental Basilica del Voto Nacional. They say this church is not finished after 100 years of construction and the theory goes that if this neo-Gothic basilica is ever officially completed, the world will come to an end. The gargoyles of the Basílica del Voto Nacional all represent animals endemic to Ecuador, including iguanas, tortoises, armadillos. and condors. I really enjoyed my walk around this fascinating town today and can't wait to explore more tomorrow. By the way - scored a haircut today for only $5usd.....