Quito, ECUADOR: La Ciudad y el volcàn COTOPAXI

We arrived in Quito after our 36 hour bus trip on Tuesday of last week. We soon came to realize that our hostel, The Secret Garden, was the place to be. On our first day there we took a walking tour of the city with a German couple and our tour guide Gabbi. She was very informative and quick to laugh at Maria and I's sometimes funny, sometimes not soo funny jokes.

Our hostel, very good place to hang at the bar all the way on the 5th floor.

"Cheerleaders" in the center of the city gathering, dressed in traditional garments.

The queen of Ecuador the German couple and us.

Watch out, Maria!

Ceramic statue made by local artist.

statua of three men getting their freak on, made by an indigenous tribe from Ecuador. They believed that sexual relations brought them closer to the gods and heavens. 

Peruvian band man.

Maria and I in front of a church, it was very "gold" inside. 

Our view from the top of our hostel of Quito.

Quito at night.

We signed up for a couple of tours through Carpedm tours which was located in our hostel. WE went to a volcano named Cotopaxi. Believe it or not, I made it to the top, well the refuge at the top. It was a beautiful national park and great for outdoors activities. 

How high up the volcano is, which is 16,00 ft up.

Where we began.

Look, as the clouds sweep through the valley.

Cotopaxi.

Ready and raring to climb, look, I am wearing my cargo pants, and a new $5 hat made from Alpaca. 

Maria and I at the refuge, which was 15,953 ft up. 

Hiking back down.

Then, like we hadn't worked hard enough we went for a 20 km bike ride.

The gang!

Wild, wild horses.