Back in Quito the Trip Ends

 Back in Quito we checked into a lovely small hotel in New Town

 On Sunday some of the main streets in Old and New Town are closed to traffic and open for bicyclists

 One of my favorite high end shops was just around the corner from the hotel.  I loved a series of rugs like the colorful one in the corner.  Unfortunately they started at around $800.

 I purchased a few tagua nut bracelets which are called vegetable ivory and come from palm trees.  They are hardened for a year before being cut into jewelry.

This was the craft market in downtown Quito.  Shopping was hugely disappointing.  Prices were way up and quality was way down.  Many shops had disappeared and many crafts were either not around, too high priced or very poor quality.  I returned home with an empty suitcase.

 A family band in downtown Quito

 Bicycles for rent.  Similar to systems in American cities.  I didn't see anyone on bicycles except on Sunday.

 A view of the mountains from downtown.

 One of the main restaurant areas near our hotel

A beautiful house in New Town now turned into a restaurant.The main city of Quito was Old Town until WWII.  After the war it spread to the suburbs of New Town.  Now New Town is being turned into shops and businesses and the suburbs are sprawling out still further into the hills around Quito.