On top of the Basilica [travelblog]
Aug. 9th, 2006 09:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
beelikejAfter school and lunch (some kind of pumpkin-soup) I take my laundry to the lavandería and walk to the trolley-bus to get to the trainstation, where I hope to confirm the online-information on traveling to the south. Halfway I pass the South-American Explores-clubhouse, it's members only, but I am allowed to write down a supposedly useful internet-adress. The girl behind the counter doesn't appear to know much about Quito though, she doesn't even know there is a trainstation. Hmm. I continue my walk to town and after visiting the crafts market, where I buy a pin for my hat, I discover a mall that has only local shops. It's very different from the big malls in the modern part of town and I love the building: all the shops are on one big spiral shape. You can take an elevator to the top and then just follow the slide-walk down:)
When I get to the almost abandoned trainstation a very helpful old guy tells me there are only three trains a week and they go down to Cotopaxi. Since I want to travel beyond the vulcano I guess I'm gonna have to take the bus down south after all.
I catch the trolley-bus back to old Quito and decide to climb the Basilica (from the inside;) It's possible to go up the clocktower as well as the official viewing point, I start with the clock. The stairs get smaller the higher you get and right above the topfloor you can climb over some beams to get to the roof. I manage to get outside and enjoy the amazing view of the city. With my binoculars (always prepared, I worked in girlscoutcamps you know;) I can even see Rosa's apartment! After this height, the official viewingtower is not that spectacular to climb, but from there you have a very good view of the cool sculptures on the outerwalls of the Basilica.
I get home around five o'clock. After diner (more pumpkinsoup plus noodles and some kind of filled vegetable-thingy) Rosa, Helena and I stay in the kitchen to watch some Telenovella's: very good to learn spanish, but can you say 'overacting'? :-) Fun.
Next day: a moviemarathon, it's just like home;-)
Pictures week 2
When I get to the almost abandoned trainstation a very helpful old guy tells me there are only three trains a week and they go down to Cotopaxi. Since I want to travel beyond the vulcano I guess I'm gonna have to take the bus down south after all.
I catch the trolley-bus back to old Quito and decide to climb the Basilica (from the inside;) It's possible to go up the clocktower as well as the official viewing point, I start with the clock. The stairs get smaller the higher you get and right above the topfloor you can climb over some beams to get to the roof. I manage to get outside and enjoy the amazing view of the city. With my binoculars (always prepared, I worked in girlscoutcamps you know;) I can even see Rosa's apartment! After this height, the official viewingtower is not that spectacular to climb, but from there you have a very good view of the cool sculptures on the outerwalls of the Basilica.
I get home around five o'clock. After diner (more pumpkinsoup plus noodles and some kind of filled vegetable-thingy) Rosa, Helena and I stay in the kitchen to watch some Telenovella's: very good to learn spanish, but can you say 'overacting'? :-) Fun.
Next day: a moviemarathon, it's just like home;-)
Pictures week 2