Today was a “down day” for Sue and Dan in Quito. While Deb, Charles, Becky and Kim went for a day at the Termas de Papallacta spa, we stayed back and explored near our hotel. After getting some local currency from the ATM across the street (aka US$ : )), we walked to the nearby SuperMaxi grocery store for some gluten free crackers, chocolate gifts, and low salt treats. We also explored some of the local shops, watched workers grapple with the tangle of overhead wiring, before heading back to our new favorite Ecuadorean Mexican restaurant, Taconazu for a light lunch of pork taco al pastor (pork tacos with pineapple).
In the evening, the entire group went to the Mindalae Museum. This museum focuses on preserving ancestral traditions and the profound connection between indigenous cultures and nature. It showcases the symbols and ancient techniques of indigenous communities, and was a blend of art, history, and learning in a unique setting. We then had dinner in the ground floor exhibit room that felt like having a meal in a cemetery. The imagery was quite dark. Sue said it gave her the heebie jeebies. Since today was Kim’s birthday, the group celebrated with song, cake and a local Ecuadorian drink called a canelazo before heading back to the hotel. Tomorrow, we fly to Baltra, Galapagos so we needed to fill out our entry forms and pack a subset of our belongings for the trip. Space will be limited.
Walking around Quito, shopping and lunch
Mindalae Museum
