Olafos

Discretly located, nearby the central streets of Quito, we find an little restaurant named Olafo's. This brave viking must have travelled a long way for founding the place and serving his excelent pizza. Actually he is colombian according to the sign.

But maybe they have the opinion that vikings are nice guys? Olafo is also the spanish name for the comic viking Hagar the Horrible.

And no, they don't serve spam.

Christmas Coke

A certain sign that it's only three months left to christmas is the appearance of the coke tree besides the comercial centre El Jardin in Quito.

And it's not an simple organic tree. It's the real thing made with natural synthetic ingredients. Coke has already trademarked santa claus, so why not the christmas tree?

There are also rumours about negotiations with the pope about using the christmas gospel for marketing. The cruzificition scene is of big interest for the Coca Cola company.

Than Good we live in a country where christmas isn't comerzialiced yet.

Like a virgin

The virgin of Quito stands at the hights of El Panecillo. She protects the city.

But what kind of protection could you expect from a virgin? Is it not enough for her trying to protect herself and her virginity?

Well, as a saint she does have the direct line to the highest autority, so she do have some influence.

But the virgin of Quito is also a good hostess. She gladly invites you for a visit at her home on El Panecillo. Besides her you do get a really good sight of the old town.

Looking at Quito

This video  from youtube is taken on the roof of the british embassy. It's very nice, You see modern Quito, avenida de Naciones Unidas, the Carolina parque and the mountains surrounding Quito, including the volcan Cotopaxi.

Yeah. I know the old town is even more beautiful. I promise to get back to it.

Welcome to Ecuador

My friends.

We are in the center of Ecuador, in the capital Quito. You are here looking at the monastry of san Francisco.

Please show some respect. folks. They started the construction of this building few weeks after the foundation of Quito in 1534 and it was finished seventy years later. It's still standing.