Our first full day in Ecuador kicked off with a 7:30 a.m. wake-up call! We had breakfast at the hotel and got ready for a packed day ahead. One surprise that made my morning even better was being given a pair of Snapchat glasses to record moments throughout the day!
Our first stop was the Iglesia Católica San Francisco, and it was absolutely stunning. We happened to visit during a Mother’s Day service, which made the experience even more special. It was so interesting to observe the differences and similarities between Catholic traditions in Ecuador and those in the United States.
Next, we toured the Museo Franciscano Fray Pedro Gocial, where we explored a collection of Ecuadorian art and heard the stories behind several important paintings. Our guide also showed us the oldest brewery in the New World, and we got to learn about its historic brewing process. We ended the tour by climbing to the top of the bell towers, where we took in some beautiful views and snapped a few photos.
After the tour, we strolled through the city as a group. Our first stop: churros—I got the caramel-filled ones, and they were delicious! Then we returned to the hotel for lunch, which included chicken with a peanut-based sauce, mashed potatoes, salad, and rice. We then shopped around at the local street stores and I ended up getting a new pair of sneakers for only $20!
In the afternoon, we continued exploring and visited the Basílica del Voto Nacional. We climbed all the way to the top on a ladder that was definitely a little scary, but the views were totally worth it. We got some amazing photos up there before making our way back down.
Dinner was back at the hotel, and then we made our way to the Virgin of El Panecillo. The panoramic view from the top was breathtaking—it gave us a full look at the city spread out below. At the base, we visited local street vendors and even ended up playing volleyball with some locals and grabbing cotton candy.
It was such an incredible first day! I can’t wait to see what the rest of this trip has in store!
