Flying into Quito is an adventure. You're literally on mountain tops and then the descent is scary because you don't know what you're flying down into. It's a crater-like basin surrounded by mountains. This is the capital city of Ecuador, and at an elevation of 9,350 ft. above sea level, it is the highest official capital city in the world and with a population of about 2.5 million.
On arrival, we were very impressed by their new airport and roadway system- truly spectacular. This was built by a consortium over 5 years, headed by the Canadian engineering company AECON. They literally built entirely new roads by blasting the mountains going into the city. Our driver showed us the old road about a mile from the new artery and the difference is really breath-taking.
Whenever you talk to people who have been at high elevation and are short of breath and headachy, believe it! Both Cathy and I were getting that way within hours of landing and I kept waking up with a shortness of breath that- at my age- wondered what the hell was happening. Thank goodness I wasn't experiencing any pain or I would have been freaking out wondering how to call an ambulance in Spanish.
We're in the old sector of town and we're off for some sight-seeing.
What a great shot of the city and mountainview! using your phone or a camera?
ReplyDelete