🇪🇨 Quito's Old Town: A Colonial Rainbow on the Equator

Our Spanish class's weekly field trip brought us to Estación San Francisco, where pastel-colored houses stacked like Lego bricks made me question—"Am I in Andalusia or the Andes?" 🚶♀️ The Walk Route: Wove through La Ronda Street (cobblestones + flower boxes = peak European charm). Local life: By day, shuttered cafes hide artisan workshops; by 5PM, the street transforms into a pisco-fueled fiesta. 💬 Cultural Goldmine Our teacher had us interview shopkeepers about: ☕ Café culture: "Why do quiteños drink coffee at midnight?" 🚖 Transport hacks: "Uber vs. yellow taxis—which avoids robos?" 🏡 Housing: "Historic center vs. modern Quito—where’s safer?" One vendor whispered: "This blue house? Illegal Airbnb—don’t tell the mayor!" ⚠️ Pro Tips Golden hour: 4-6PM for soft light + fewer crowds. Phrasebook musts: "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (How much?) " Es seguro caminar de noche?" (Safe to walk at night?). #QuitoOldTown #LanguageImmersion