miscellaneous beauty (food, art, family, friends)

 Long time......it is not written. Life moves fast here! It´s amazing how much I do in a day but can´t find the time to express in forms other than pictures. The past 2 weeks I´ve been on a tour of Quito.....exploring hidden gems tucked in the nooks/crannies of the city, indulging in customary "dia de muertos" food and drink, Rowdy busy futbol parties, and dancing on the Equator line 0º Long 0º Lat in Mitad Del Mundo (see pic below)

The middle of the world; CFHIers standing on the Equatorial divide

 It's been a phase of mixed emotions. For the many connections I make daily, I am simultaneously saying good-byes. The October batch of CFHI students left and we are welcoming in the newcomers. The last weekend of October, Francia (my Chilean mamita) hosted 3 doctors/friends from Chile who attended a conference in Quito for 4 days. We had a blast! They were terrific houseguests and friends as they lived up dinner with their hilarious stories & I got to improve my Spanish through our conversations. Chileans speak 10x faster than Ecuadorians, and with a slightly different accent so it kept me on my toes. One night we all went out for drinks & dancing at a salsa club. I made a great connection with them; they felt like family, and they were kind as to offer me a place to stay in Chile when I visit in the future. Each day here in Quito is beautiful and overwhelming; from the bus rides to my breakthroughs in language/communication. It's invaluable and it keeps me sane, curious and connected.


 Me and Chilean buddies: Alvaro, Andrea, Rigo.

w/ France



the packed trollebus. it`sa beautiful thing



banana walnut pancakes, mmmm



delicious flava-flaves at an Heladeria in Old Town



AH, how i enjoy my Cafe to take (to-go)

the best chocolate decadence in the city

our fave barista loves us too

yummy. my fave. Montserrat Fruteria

an empanada con queso (basically a savory donut. um, to die for.)

one of many works by Oswaldo Guyasamín (1919-1999)

more from Guyasamín´s house (museum.)

the best sequence by Guyasamin

inside Guyasamin's "Capilla del Hombre"

rock on color scheme

the ladies overlooking our street in Old Town Quito

mannequin friends on the opposite balcony

mustache manny

the Virgen (I climbed so close to her yesterday. she is art.)

entrance of La Basilica= architecture art