It's beginning to look at a lot like Christmas.. :)

So with the holidays approaching and school ending for the term it only seems fitting that we are given a long holiday weekend (for some random Argentine only holiday) and we go away!! We are almost done touring Argentina with only one major place left (which we will do in February).. We decided to go outside the country this time and go to Quito, Ecuador.. (and the surrounding towns.. )..

Having never been to Ecuador and only going on what we had heard I expected a quiet trip.. it was anything but that.. it was fun, lively, interesting and wonderful!! We went to 3 of 28 or so cathedrals, El Panecillo, Quito Telerifico, Zip Lining, Middle of the Earth, bird watching, butterfly catching, shopping in the market...etc..etc... I am fully ready to go back and explore some more.. We had great guides, great food and great adventures!!

with pictures of course

So before we get to Ecuador we had a BUSY week at school.. Cora was J.K. Rowling in the Living Museum at school. She was impressive and did a great job telling everyone who came to her about J.K :) She is a true Potter Fan!!!

Same day.. later.. My girl Nola performed in her first choir. She and her classmates did just wonderful!! Was impressed at the songs they were able to learn in just a few months.

The school also had a little thing called International Day on campus.. after a week of rain the sun shined down and the day was pure perfection!! What a great day.. learning about different countries, traditions and of course the food!!!

I also just did some mundane stuff before we left.. like wait in the rain on the corner for our empanadas to be ready to take home.. some days are just like that.. nothing fancy, nothing special.. just days.. I don't mind them

So finally after a 6 hour overnight flight, some breakfast and a quick trip to the hotel we were off to explore Quito!! We went on the Telerifico which is like 4,000 meters up there.. super high.. and the ride is over 15 minutes long... did I ever mention I hate heights!! LOL

the views were worth it though.. Quito is a small city of just over 2.5 million and has a small feel but is vast in area!!! it is very spread out.

just one of the churches we were in.. each more ornate than the next.. tons of gold and not a spot left undecorated on the walls or ceiling. Amazing..

seriously.. not one empty spot.. simply breathtaking.. you could walk and find something new for hours.

so when your soup bowl comes served on a bed of fire.. you totally need a picture..

though my bowl didn't come on fire, it was just as good.. Locro Papas (potato soup with cheese, avocado and toasted corn).. AMAZINGLY good.

trying a few local desserts.. chocolate covered strawberries (heavenly) and espumilla (not as heavenly)... but we can say we tried it.. LOL
http://laylita.com/recipes/2012/09/19/espumillas-or-guava-meringue-cream/

street empanadas and canelazo (a hot citrus and alcoholic drink).. one was really good.. one no so much.. you decide:)

beautiful view from the outside of our hotel window

so we went to Quito during what is called "Quito Days".. a big festival.. think July 4th for the USA.. it was great!!! we stayed in the historic old town and apparently on the busiest road in the city.. LOL.. they partied and paraded until 3 or 4 am every night we were there.. tons of lovely energy.. thankful for good sound proof windows though!!

So about 1.5 hours outside of Quito in Otovalo we went to the a lovely bird park run by 2 Belgians who rescue and release (if possible) local birds.. they ones that can't be released are trained and they perform a lovely show during the week.. watching the birds fly and return was amazing..