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1994
Ecuador(Quito)- South America
Bec2004-09-20 16:19:04
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Retreating before the Spanish, the Inca general Rumińahui destroyed the city completely to prevent it from falling in the hands of the conquistadors.
Otavalo
Rumińahui's memory is honoured by this monument in Otavalo's Parque Central, about a hundred kilometres north of Quito. The Otavalo Amerindians are proud of Rumińahui who symbolises their contribution to the country.
The Otavalo Amerindians are well known internationally for their textiles to the point that the label Otavalo has become synonymous with quality. People come to the Otavalo textile market from all over the world so they must be very good at marketing their products.
Mitad del Mundo
Also north of Quito but much closer, is the "middle of the world". The monument behind me commemorates the determination of the exact equatorial line here by the French scientist Charles-Marie de la Condamine in 1735. I am straddling that line with my right foot in the southern hemisphere and my left foot in the northern hemisphere.
Bańos
There are many thermal springs in Ecuador but some of the most popular are in the town of Bańos, a half hour's drive south of Quito.
Soaking in hot sulphurous groundwater and cooling off in icy mountain runoff by day opens the appetite for an evening's dining in one of Bańos fine restaurants.
Ingapirca
The Ingapirca ruins constitute the most important site left from the Inca occupation of Ecuador. Some say it was a fortress while others believe that it had religious or ceremonial significance.
Whatever the reason for its construction, it does display the some of the Inca's finest mortarless stone-work and is worth visiting even though it is a bit awkward to get there if you're not going with an organised tour.
Copyright Bernard Cloutier
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See photographs from:
Ecuador Gallery
