Quito...

Will take your breath away...and it´s not just the atltitude that will leave you dizzy and breathless.

(Check out this link to see some images http://www.google.com/images?q=quito&hl=en&prmd=mi&source=lnms&tbs=isch:1&ei=yvvzS7TJHIG0lQeruOjjDA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&ved=0CBEQ_AU)

An unexpected gem nestled in the Andes Mountains, this is a city of contrast, a mosaic of Gothic and Spanish architecture, gritty hardened humanity, beautifully indigenous faces all set against a backdrop of heaven reaching mountains...
Life is tough here and it is marked on the faces of those who have to live here.  No amount of church presence can eradicate the urgency and the crime and to be amongst it evokes a mixture of fear, apprehension, compassion and that sadly generic tourist feeling of `wonder`.
We have had four days here casually strolling the streets, breathing in the views, admiring the incredible Gothic and Spanish buildings and enjoying the slow paced life that is Quito.  What it lacks in the vibrancy and `hype´ we found in Colombia and Brazil, it makes up for in setting and beauty.  Being up so high and in such an amazing place is enough to make the most high strung of us unwind and walk that much slower just to soak it all in.
Sadly, crime is prevalent and, I was robbed whilst sitting in a cafe.  Thankfully, no violence was employed, however, it reiterated that as per what we have seen thus far, the facades, soaring towers, majestic churches are a pleasant distraction from the reality of places such as these.  Life is cheap, hard sellable goods are what matters and being a tourist, we are pay day on legs.
Determined not to leave with a bitter taste in my mouth, I will savour the memory of Quito, this amazing sky dwelling city.