Quito & Vicinity - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 88

Farther north, at the southern end of Av. Río Amazonas and border-
ing the main drag of New Town, is the larger Parque El Ejido ,
where locals relax and play on the weekends. It is a nice walk from
downtown to the park, especially on weekends, when artwork is
widely displayed and readily for sale. You'll see high-quality, high-
value artwork, as well as less dramatic pieces. Fortunately, or unfor-
tunately, depending on what you are looking for, it has also become
swamped with tourist vendors selling everything under the equato-
rial sun. Step away from the booths, however, and the park remains
peaceful and family-oriented, much as it always has been.
The largest of the main municipal parks, Parque La Carolina ,is
even farther north between Amazonas and Los Shyris, where
República and Alfaro cross. Weekend activities include everything
from kids monkeying around on the gym equipment to boating on a
small lake. It is definitely a communal gathering place, something we
don't often experience in North America. This is a great place to take
the kids, but do not wander alone or in the remote parts of the park.
Quito's parks are not safe at night, or even
during the day in sections that are remote and
empty. However, if you are around groups of
people and where the locals gather, relax and
enjoy the day.
Public Spaces
Throughout your travels in Ecuador, and indeed in any
Latin American country, you may notice that one common
theme in any city or village is the central plaza or park. The
importance of this public space as a driving social force can-
not be overstated. It is a place of communing with friends,
family and local residents; of relaxing under a shaded tree
after church on Sunday; of romance; of gardens, benches,
fountains and playing children. It is often an escape from
the immediately surrounding busy streets and big build-
ings; And sometimes it is a place of local weekly markets.
Central plazas symbolize gathering and social pride, allow-
ing locals to connect in ways that simply wouldn't exist
without them. In Quito, they have evolved to enormous
parks, complete with miniature lakes and playgrounds for
children, but even in smaller towns and villages, these rem-
nants of the colonial era remain. And they are often the best
places to sit and absorb the local culture.