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Plaza Grande With the Horse and Buggy

Close to Plaza Grande, the horse and buggy, or carriage, awaits to trot nonchalantly through the historic center every time someone pays the fare, currently $4.00, and mounts.

Whether it's Trafalgar Square in London, Times Square in New York or this square in Quito, here is the kitchen of the city, where everyone gathers around the table.

Then, as you cross the street at the chirping of the traffic lights, any direction you take, will land you in a shop.

Here is a little village onto itself. I'm sure if you hang out often, you'll meet someone. You might even witness the changing of the guards of the presidential palace.

I have relaxed on the concrete benches and meditated while waiting for a great photo shot a few times.

The Cathedral doors usually stay closed, but the door facing Garcia Moreno Street opens early every morning for daily Mass celebrated in a side chapel.

An internet cafe to the right upon entering the Palacio Arcobispal (Archbishop's Palace) puts you in touch with anyone you care to get in touch with around the globe as you snack on something, sip coffee, or simply type your message.

There are other squares in and around the historic center, but they seem to be for special occasions or Sundays only when outdoor simple entertainment abounds...theatric performances, concerts and such things.

Plaza Grande/Plaza de Independencia is the heartbeat of Quito Colonial. Any given day, or only on Sunday, someone is:

  • meeting someone,
  • performing a skit,
  • protesting something,
  • having their shoes shined,
  • people watching,
  • selling lottery tickets,
  • selling munchies,
  • preaching,
  • strolling,
  • and maybe a few other things.

In Quito, no one is upset about religious pictures or crucifixes in public offices, or about hearing a preacher in a public square. Now, that's freedom of speech!

National guards are always patrolling the area on foot and sometimes on horseback. I wonder what the horses pulling the carriage think of this!

All the way down Garcia Moreno Street is 24 de Mayo Plaza without horses, but the entertainment is enough to lift you into a happy mode.

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