easy man, that's the only neck I got

As you might be aware, South America is very very very Catholic and Ecuador is no exception... Old Town Quito has over 40 churches, and these are not just a room with a couple of parishoners... words like Cathedral and Basilica are attached.

They are breath taking in there beauty and attention to detail...

The day turned out to be an absolute stunner, with clear blue skies, so we stumbled upon what most Quitoans do on a beautiful day... they head up into the clouds... TeleferiQo, a gondola ride up the lower slopes of Volcan Pichincha to a base at 3050m (~10000 ft).

For Riad von Trapp, the hills were truly alive with the sound of Bacchus...

We continued getting to know the locals better... the more charming they are, the less likely they end up a sweater.

At first we thought this might be a Andean raccoon, but no, just a dexterous little pero intent on a meal... he had is back paws and butt balanced just so, to bend in and snag a leftover... so good.

The cab ride back from the gondola stopped right in front of a old skool barber shop... a number dos cut and a straight edge shave... in the world of MEN, there is no language barrier.

Riad: "Excuse me sir, why are you wearing a white lab coat?!?"
Brilliant fellow wielding the blade: "I need it to protect the nice shirt and tie I have on underneath from the inevitable blood splatter"
Riad: <gulp>

Ended an amazing first day, chillin' on the steps at the foot of Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco (yet another magnificent church), nestled in the Plaza San Francisco, watching the sun set over the surrounding rolling hills...