Sunday, September 8, 2013
La Basilica del Voto Nacional
On our second day we visited the historic center of Quito and went inside La Basilica del Voto Nacional. It is the biggest neo-Gothic basilica in the Americas, and it is without a doubt the most beautiful building I have ever been in. It is sacred to the people of Ecuador and people come from all over South America to visit it.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
First Few Days
I've just arrived at my home for the next year and the last few days have been amazing! The first things I saw while flying over the country were the mountains, and they are stunning. I arrived in Quito at 8pm and met Diana, who stayed with the other exchange students and I while we were in the capital. At the airport I met four other students (all from Germany) named Elisabeth, Antonia, Benji, and Auguste. The first day we went to La Mitad del Mundo, where we stood on the equator.
We also visited El Convento de San Francisco, and the legend is that San Francisco made a deal with the Devil to sell his soul if the Devil would build the church for him in seven days. At midnight on the last day, the Devil had finished placing all but one stone, but San Francisco stole the stone and hid it from the Devil. The church was nearly complete and San Francisco got to keep his soul. They say that there is a hole in the church that can never be filled, because any stone that is placed there always falls out.
Today I drove with Elisabeth and Diana to Cotacachi, and met my host family for the first time. They are very warm and welcoming and my house is small, but very nice. We live next door to my grandmother and there is a small restaurant where my mother works that is an extension of our house. My father is away for work and is returning on Thursday. Everything is very overwhelming right now, but I know that when I adjust to my new life everything will be fine. Tonight there is a party in the town square and tomorrow is my last day before school starts. Right now I am unpacking in my new room. Hasta luego!
The second day we went to the old city, which was extremely beautiful. There are ancient churches and other buildings from the days when Quito and the rest of Ecuador were under Spanish rule.
We also visited El Convento de San Francisco, and the legend is that San Francisco made a deal with the Devil to sell his soul if the Devil would build the church for him in seven days. At midnight on the last day, the Devil had finished placing all but one stone, but San Francisco stole the stone and hid it from the Devil. The church was nearly complete and San Francisco got to keep his soul. They say that there is a hole in the church that can never be filled, because any stone that is placed there always falls out.
Today I drove with Elisabeth and Diana to Cotacachi, and met my host family for the first time. They are very warm and welcoming and my house is small, but very nice. We live next door to my grandmother and there is a small restaurant where my mother works that is an extension of our house. My father is away for work and is returning on Thursday. Everything is very overwhelming right now, but I know that when I adjust to my new life everything will be fine. Tonight there is a party in the town square and tomorrow is my last day before school starts. Right now I am unpacking in my new room. Hasta luego!
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