Peru to Ecuador

After an unsuccessful departure attempt on Saturday, Class 39 finally bid farewell to Cusco and Peru on Sunday, February 21. Because of the flight cancellation the day before, we were split into two separate flights from Cusco to Lima, where we reconvened to board the flight to Quito.

While the first arrivals waited at the Lima airport, we were able to learn more about Peru´s tax structure and the effects of land reform efforts in the 1960's through the 1980's from our travel guide Jorge, whose family farm of more than 2000 acres had been taken from them and distributed to the people. His family was left with a fraction of their holdings, and the government finally distributed some of the payments as recently as three years ago. The communist philosophy that guided the land reform efforts has since been abandoned resulting in an anti-socialist structure in which workers receive no pension or social security and no health care other than that which they provide for themselves.

Our flight from Lima departed at about 1:00, and we got one last look at the gray expanse of sand covered in unfinished shantytowns next to the sea. A couple hours later as we descended into Quito we saw a much different sight. The mountains were a vibrant green, and the buildings appeared bright and modern from the air.

After making it through customs, we immediately boarded a bus for a walking tour of the central colonial section of the city. We split into two groups as our guides Delores and Raquel led us to vista points at the top of a hill overlooking the city and explained how the Spaniards planned the city in the form of a chess board with a church on each of the four corners for spiritual protection. We walked down the steep, narrow cobblestone streets toward the city center. Some of the fellows remarked how much Quito reminds them of San Francisco, and the guide explained that in fact the formal name of the city is San Francisco de Quito. Our walking tour included a stop at the Plaza Grande, were hundreds of Ecuadorians were enjoying their Sunday afternoon sitting on benches, watching comedians, and listening to preachers. Our own Dr. Flores even attracted a bit of a crowd performing Dr. Sabol´s rope tricks. We also visited the Convento y Museo De San Francisco where we were able to enter the church to listen to part of the service. We ended the tour at a small cafe next to the convent and enjoyed refreshments before boarding the bus and heading to the Hotel Quito for dinner on our own.

We are quickly learning the differences between Quito and Lima, Ecuador and Peru. In addition to topography and elevation, the cultural and social differences are striking. While Peru has little to no social support for its citizens, Ecuador provides a government pension at age 65. The Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa (a good friend of Hugo Chavez), is working on creating a government sponsored health care system, as well.

The elevation in Quito is 9200 feet, which feels like a piece of cake after Cusco. We are more than halfway through our trip, everyone seems to be back to health or nearly there, and we´re looking forward to exploring a new country and culture.

Submitted by Sarah, Lisa, and Tyler