I’ve barely lived here for two years yet I feel like a Quiteño (a resident of Quito). There’s no logical explanation for the affection I feel; I just love the place and that’s it.

The steep cobbled streets and colonial architecture of the Centro Historico, the daily hubbub of street vendors selling seasonal produce, exchanging a friendly word with neighbours, the fiestas and carnivals, the encompassing mountains, having a coffee or dinner with friends, the perrenial spring-like weather, all are reasons for loving this city.

I like to watch the changing of the guard at the presidential palace, observe life in the beautiful plazas and take the Teleférico to the top of La Cruz Loma for a hike in the Andean “páramo” (uplands). Everyday brings challenges too; the language, the sometimes unreliable nature of the people and trying to stay safe. It doesn’t always have to be fun to be fun.

I suppose I feel happy here. Now that can’t be a bad thing, can it?

Desfile de la Confraternidad, Quito

Fish market, San Roque

Fiestas de Quito

Shoe shine boy, Plaza Grande

Fruits

Kids on La calle Ronda

Semana Santa, Quito

Old Lady, Plaza San Francisco

Cruz Loma

Gay Pride in La Plaza Foch 2012

El Snr. Manuel Humberto Silva Acosta, owner of the Hojalateria Silva. Eighty one years old and fifty eight years in the same establishment. Photo taken by Cousin Andrew using my camera.

Calle Garcia Moreno with the Panecillo in the background