Midnight in Medellín!

I spent New Year with some colleagues in Medellín this year.

I visited the school I'd been in last summer and went to visit places I'd missed last time with one of my teachers.

We took the metro and cable car through Medellín.

Then we went to Comuna 13 (https://medellinliving.com/comuna-13-graffiti-tour-amazing-street-art-much/) which is full of history and colourful graffiti.

There are 'electric stairs' (escalators) which make moving in the Comuna easier.  For us it meant we got to see views of the city from the top.

The whole area is full of graffiti.

The hummingbirds represent the helicopters that were used when they carried out the controversial operation Orión (https://colombiareports.com/medellin-operation-orion/)

At the bottom of the escalators we stopped to taste mango popsicles (that you dip into a mix of salt and lemon juice).  They were surprisingly tasty.

We celebrated NYE in Medellín.

and generally enjoyed the nice weather and relaxed atmosphere of Medellín.

After Medellín we visited the colonial village of Jardin.  The bus ride there was through the Andes and very bumpy!   Though also stunning.

To get around the village there were lots of 'motoratones' (like tuk tuks).

We went horseback riding in the coffee region.

We also went on La Garrucha (on old wooden cable car).

 
Jardin was a very colourful and relaxing end to our trip.

Quirky Quito

After my trip to the Galapagos Islands I felt I couldn't bypass Ecuador's capital city so I spent a few days in Quito.  I had no idea what to expect, other than that it was a capital city at high altitude (not so different from Bogotá!).  In reality Quito is much smaller, slightly higher than Bogotá and very mountainous (surrounded by volcanos).

Whilst there I did a city tour with a guide I'd been put in touch with through other travellers.  We started the day with a ride up a cable car as it was a clear day.

Then we visited various churches and buildings in the historic centre of Quito.  On the Basilico they replaced the gargoyles with Galapagos animals!

On the main plaza people were selling snacks (Ponche and merengue)

This church was all decorated in gold inside.  We weren't allowed to take photos.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compa%C3%B1%C3%ADa_de_Jes%C3%BAs,_Quito

The Government building.

The cathedral.

The Independence Monument.

After a day in Quito I did a train excursion where I passed beautiful countryside and many volcanos (whose names I don't recall).

At one of the stations there was a performance of local dancers.

On my last day I went out of Quito to the Middle of the World (the equator).

Then we went on to the market of Otavalo (about 2 hours out of Quito).  Stopping at nice viewpoints (with Fernando, my driver and guide).

Otavalo market at Plaza de los Ponchos.

San Antonio wood carving market.

There is much more to see in Ecuador of course but that will have to wait for another trip!