I wish I knew how to Quito you

That is the view from my hostel in Quito, Ecuador. Absolutely. Stunning. And this wonderfully preserved city is even more beautiful up close.

Basilica del Voto Nacional

inside the Basilica

Quito literally CRAWLS with churches, many of them from the colonial period, and many of them products of the Escuela Quitena, where artists fused catholicism and local indigenous beliefs. Unfortunately, you aren't allowed to take photos inside most of them, which was an extra bummer when I visited La Compania de Jesus. The Jesuits started building the church in 1605 and it took 150 years to finish. Almost every single inch of the interior was covered in gold (you can see a little bit of it glistening through the front door), and there were huge paintings of heaven and hell at the entrance.

La Compania de Jesus

The city's main cathedral was also pretty impressive (though equally photo-shy). It sits in the main square, the plaza grande, and is stuffed with baroque artwork and bleeding Jesi. All the main churches charge you a couple of bucks to visit, which I thought was outrageous until realizing that they have to get the cash for all that gilding somewhere, so why not fleece tourists?

Catedral Primada de Quito

Adding to the plethora of religious iconography, on a small hill overlooking the city (called El Panecillo or Little Bread Loaf), there is a terrifying statue of La Virgen de Quito. She's as old as I am, and is apparently representative of the "woman of the Apocalypse" from the book of Revelations.

La Virgen de Quito

Also scary? The walk up to the virgin statue. Do not do it, you are almost certain to get robbed. I ended up taking a cab there and back with a couple of fellow hostel-dwellers instead. A lot of travelers that I've met here seem very concerned that Quito isn't safe, but (knock on wood) I haven't had any problems wandering around, especially during the day. As with any big city, stick to busy streets, don't walk by yourself at night, and don't flash expensive electronic equipment, don't carry too much cash and you should be okay, unless you are very unlucky. It is such a beautiful city, it would be a shame to come here and hide in the hostel all the time.

view of Quito from Volcan Pinchincha, while riding the TeleferiQo cable car