Quito's Party

ORIGIN OF THE PARTY

The Quito festivities are a relatively new event in the calendar of both Ecuador and the city itself. The occasion commemorates the Spanish foundation of the city of San Francisco de Quito on December 6, 1534, under the command of the Spaniard Sebastián de Benalcázar on the remains of the second capital (or the northern capital) of the Inca Empire, formerly the capital of the legendary Kingdom of Quito, the stronghold of the Quitu-Caras. As recently as 1950, December 6 was merely celebrated with a parade and a low-key civic event in the city followed by the Formal Session of the Municipality of Quito.
Then, at the beginning of the 1960's, following an initiative by the evening newspaper “Ultimas Noticias”, the celebrations suddenly blossomed and became a 3-week event packed with events eagerly awaited throughout the year. This event has now become the biggest celebration in Quito.

The Quito festivities begin in the last week of November, and reach their climax during the period December 1 to 6 in which the whole city becomes a non-stop party.

FOOD

Pristine, aplanchados, quesadillas, figs with cheese, ice pan and you can taste until 6 December.

Canelazo:

Ingredients:

8 cinnamon sticks

4-5 cloves

4 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup pulp naranjilla

The skin of an orange (only the surface, not the white part)

Brandy (white rum if no brandy)

Instructions:

In a saucepan, boil all the ingredients except the brandy.

A boiling again, cook for another 5 minutes.

Remove the mixture from the flame and sift the liquid. Return it to the caller (in low) to keep warm. Get rid of spices.

In a glass, serve a little brandy (1/2 oz -.. 1 oz depending on your taste and tolerance), followed by boiled mixture. Mix.

Serve immediately.

MUSIC

Traditional songs at parties in Quito especially are:

TRADITIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• The proclamation
  
• Parade fellowship in the north and south of the city

•  Quito Serenades

•  Popular dances in the neighborhoods

• Election of the Queen City

• Wood Car Racing

• Typical food festivals

• The traditional card game "40"

• Interbarriales Games

•  Festival parade

• People Bands

• Tours goats

• Bullfight

Legent

The pot of the Roll

There was a woman in Quito daily wearing his cow to the bagel. There always did because I did not take a paddock where. One day, picking up some firewood, left the cow near the pot. On his return he no longer found. Filled with fright, he began to look around.

They spent a few hours and did not appear vaquita. In their quest to find it, down to the bottom of the same pot and his surprise he was great when he came to the entrance of a huge palace.

When he recovered from his astonishment, he saw that in a luxurious throne sat a beautiful princess.

Seeing there the humble lady, smiling princess asked:

What is the purpose of your visit?

- I lost my cow! And if the meeting will remain in abject poverty - the woman replied sobbing -.

The princess, to ease the suffering of the lady, gave an ear and a brick of gold.

Also he comforted assuring him that his beloved cow was safe.

The princess thanked the woman and left happy. When he reached the door, I had the great surprise!

- There's my cow!

The woman and the animal returned home.

Typical Food

Soups and tickets

• Patatoes locro

• Yahuarlocro

• Quinoa soup

• Ceviche chochos

Rice and highlights

• Hornado

•  Mote with cracklings

• Fry

• Corn with cheese

Desserts and Drinks

• Pristine 

• Canelazos 

• Fresh fig with cheese

Important Places

HOUSE OF CULTURE ECUADOR-QUITO (CASA DE LA CULTURA ECUATORIANA-QUITO)

The House of  Ecuatorian Culture  (CCE), Ecuadorian House of Culture, is an independent institution and we can say that is  the most antique.  This one has been entrusted the task of preserving, promoting, encouraging, investigate and spread the art, science and cultural heritage of Ecuador.

SUCRE NATIONAL THEATER (TEATRO NACIONAL SUCRE)

 Sucre National Theatre is the first theater in the city of Quito and one of the most renowned throughout Ecuador.

QUITO ZOO (ZOOLÓGICO DE QUITO)

Quito Zoo is located in the valley of Guayllabamba, is the most diverse zoo of animals in Ecuador.

MIDDLE OF THE WORLD (QUITO MITAD DEL MUNDO)

This attraction is located 13.5 km. from Quito, was owned by the Government of Pichincha Province and is practically a tourist and commercial city, the smallest of Ecuador.

THE PANECILLO (EL PANECILLO)

The Panecillo is a hill located in the heart of Quito downtown.  From here, its location gives us a unique view of the city.

CARONDELET – GOVERNMENT PALACE (PALACIO DE GOBIERNO-CARONDELET) 

The Government Palace is one of the most important attractions of Quito’s downtown. It’s the Government Palace, residence and official workplace of the Republic of Ecuador President.

INDEPENDENCE SQUARE (PLAZA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA)

In the heart of Colonial Quito is the Main Square: Plaza Grande or Plaza de la Independencia.

QUITO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL (CATEDRAL METROPOLITANA DE QUITO)

Quito Cathedral or First Cathedral Church Museum of Quito is considered one of the oldest churches in Latin America and is one of the largest religious symbols of spiritual value to the Catholic community in the city of Quito.

SAN FRANCISCO CHURCH (IGLESIA SAN FRANCISCO)

The Church of San Francisco is the most extraordinary building work of Quito. It’s located in the historic downtown, at 477 Cuenca and Sucre Streets. In front is a square with the same name, which makes it an architectural masterpiece.

SANTO DOMINGO CHURCH (IGLESIA SANTO DOMINGO)

The Church and Convent of Santo Domingo are located in the historic downtown of Quito, in the streets Guayaquil and Simon Bolivar.

BASILICA DEL VOTO NACIONAL 

Basilica del Voto Nacional is one of the most important examples of neo Gothic arquitecture in Ecuador.

METROPOLITAN CULTURAL CENTER (CENTRO CULTURAL METROPOLITANO)

The Metropolitan Cultural Center is located in one of the main buildings of the downtown, southern side of the Government Palace. The Metropolitan Cultural Center building has been an essential part of Quito, both historically and in daily life, since its origin.

Places to visit

The Ronda (La Ronda)
The Ronda is a beautiful and typical street in the historic city center has been restored for tourism, with many bars, restaurants, cofee shops, pubs and local artisans offering a wide gastronomic range and different souvenirs and interesting.

Foch Square (Plaza Foch)
Foch Square is a place of different atmospheres, music all of kids as electrnica, salsa, pop, etc. Live musicians and all kinds of people walking the steets.

Teleferico

Quito’s Skyrail named in 2005 as the Teleférico, is the highest in South America. Starts at 2.950 m.a.s.l. and ends at 4.050 m.a.s.l. It reaches the top of Cruz Loma, adjacent to the Pichincha volcano.

La Carolina Park (Parque La Carolina)
It is a favorite for soccer, atletics, basketball, tennis and popular Ecuavolley, an indigenous variation of valleyball, or jogging in the mornings or afternoons park.

El Ejido Park (Parque El Ejido)

The park becomes a large craft market during the weekend. Local artists display their works (paintings, mostly) and crafts in search of buyers.

Itchimbia Crystal Palace (Palacio de Cristal Itchimbia)

The Crystal Palace in Itchimbia, is located in the central-east of Quito. It’s one of the most popular and visited recreational- cultural places in the city.

Localization

Quito, capital of Ecuador, is considered one of the most beautiful regions of Latin America. Located in the Andes mountains at the foot of the Pichincha volcano (89200 meters above sea level). Quito has a spring weather all year round. Chuchers and monasteries beautifully preserved and large buildings provide a contrast between contemporary architecture and modern Quito, a cosmopolitan city of great cultural diversity.