Quito’s historic district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, nestled in the mountains of Ecuador. But the true treasure of Quito is the people. Wildly entrepreneurial, they operate a thousand tiny mom-and-pop (or often mom-and-kids) shops and restaurants in every corner of the city. Can’t afford a tiny storefront? Then a cart and stool will do, or just carry some goods around in your hands and offer them to passersby.
Families are together here, night and day. Babies are carried on the body, not pushed in strollers. Toddlers are held by the hand. Public breastfeeding is commonplace. Parents are patient and children seem calm and even-tempered. The easy affection among families carries into friendships and adult interactions. It’s common to see adults walking arm-in-arm with elderly parents, and lovers often kiss in public.
There is still a great deal of poverty here, and social injustice. But the bonds of family, friendship and love are so strong and open, you can’t help but think that these Quiteños have some things figured out.

Holly Parker
July 23, 2013 at 7:09 pmThese are beautiful and I think the little boy in the orange hoodie just stole my heart. 🙂
Lauren
July 23, 2013 at 7:47 pmHe was so precious! He (and the young couple above him) make me want to do a whole series on the faces of people who CATCH me photographing them!
Patricia
July 24, 2013 at 4:07 amI agree he is cute and a real human interest shot Lauren! Also what is the weather like? It sounded like Columbia was hot but I see people dressed in sweaters and etc for cooler weather in the pictures you have now.
Lauren
July 24, 2013 at 3:42 pmYes, Cartagena was hot & humid, very tropical. Bogota and Quito are both in the mountains. So even though we’re practically ON the equator in Quito, weather is springlike. Sunny & 70 during the day, cooler after dark.
When we were here last year, in April, it was rainier and colder. Sweater weather. It’s T-shirt weather, and it hasn’t rained once. Delightful!
Lessons will be repeated. | The Soul of a Journey
May 8, 2014 at 10:47 am[…] love the people here, the most loving and family-oriented people I’ve ever seen. I love their entrepreneurial […]