Quito is a gem. Not in vain, the UNESCO declared the ensemble of its Historic Centre a World Heritage Site in 1978, the first city to hold this title, along with Krakow in Poland. Walking the vibrant streets and alleys of Quito makes you wonder how on Earth is it possible that its historical monuments and buildings remain so unaltered in spite the pass of time and the earthquakes that have shaken the city. Well, it will always be a secret, but Quito is and always will be one of the latinamerican capitals worth visiting. 

On our first day in Quito, the plan was unanimous: we would spend the day exploring the Historic Centre. And that's what we did. Starting at the giant Parque de la Carolina, a beloved place by all quiteños that love a nice morning jog, also a great place for a match of Ecua-volley, a variant of volleyball invented and played accross the country. We took a bus to La Mariscal, Quito's party zone. Originally a residential area of the upper class, it is now the epicenter of Quito's tourist infrastructure and nightlife, with Plaza Foch as the heart of the neighborhood. With bars, restaurants, discos, karaokes that play music of all kinds: Quitos' "La Zona" is for everyone, for each kind of pocket and for all tastes and flavours.

Our trip coincided with Ramadan: the decorated Khalid Ibn Al Walid Mosque on the avenue Los Shyris right next to the Parque de la Carolina

A mansion in Quito's La Mariscal neighbourhood

Clear skies on our first day in Quito. La Mariscal houses.

Enough of the party talk. Let us continue with a first sightseeing adventure of the city. We hopped off at the Antiguo Hospital Militar, because we had heard about a small coffee house in this area. After a pause at the viewpoint, we started to ask for the "Quesadillas de San Juan", a restaurant known for its quesadillas and pastries.

The Basilica of the National Vow

My friend Giuseppina at the Antiguo Hospital Militar, nowadays the Contemporary Art Center

Rooftops of Quito's Historic Centre buildings

Quito is a gem: a view from the Historic Centre to Modern Quito

I loved this:lovers in Quito!

Quesadillas de San Juan on Delfilio Torres street in the Historic Centre

Owned by the Cobo family, "Quesadillas de San Juan" is famous for its quesadillas and bocadillos, typical quiteño pastries.

Our order: a chimborazo, covered in sugar simulating the snow-covered volcano, bocadillos (the small round things) and the quesadillas, an important part of quiteño gastronomic tradition

How could we order pastries without a hot chocolate? During the trip, I ordered hot chocolate in Colombia and Ecuador and it was always served with a piece of cheese. The cheese goes in the hot chocolate, melts and adds a nice sweet taste to the cocoa.

Quito's Historic Centre and its architecture

My trip to Ecuador occured in a time where the discussion was all about Snowden and if he should or should not be granted asylum in Ecuador. Here's one quiteño's piece of mind.

Heading to the Basilica of the National Vow

Writing about such an impressive ensemble of monuments happens to be even more difficult than I thought. But what you should know about that first day in Quito, is that I had never been that impressed so fast by a city. Quito makes you fall in love over and over again.

A love story: I enjoyed every second in the ecuadorean capital