Remembering Quito

The other day I saw a big tub of boiling pig/chicken parts in the wide open streets of Tucheng, Taiwan, which reminded me of another place across the globe. The pot gave off a strong musky smell, not too pleasant, but necessary for a good stock. Most developing countries focus heavily on this method of cooking to utilize all parts and pieces. This shows respect to the animals that bring them life, but most important extra meals.  After a strong inhalation of the stock I was taken back to the highest capital in the world, Quito. The place is a hidden gem. It has traditional European buildings, high mountains like the Himalayas, and food influenced from Spain.

While in that Ecuadorian town, I stumbled on a skatepark that was completely deserted. There was a long wide snake run at the beginning, dumping out into a fullpipe/open bowl. It didn't have a normal lip, but a mid-sized ledge where the vert should start. Really tall, but nice for the street skater who doesn't like transition. 2 years after being there, I saw a Thrasher video with J.Phelps and homies ripping it apart. It's always a humbling experience to compare what you did at a spot, to someone else that is on a level so much higher than you, that it makes you want to quit, haha, jk.

Link attached of Thrasher at spot: https://www.thrashermagazine.com/articles/videos/spitfire-wheels-equador-hellride-video/

There were a few situations that made me uneasy in Quito, but hold these stories dearly. Let me list them:

1. First arriving at the airport at 3am, I noticed someone holding a doll pretending it was a real child begging for money (maybe used as a prop)

2. A group of kids followed me and almost jumped me for money, but I skipped into the middle of the street to bring attention to the situation, narrowly escaping.

3. Being in the highest capital on the Equator will expose you to altitude sickness, and sun exposure leaving you with a flu for 3 days. 

Quito is the oldest city in South America, first created by the Incas. There have been civilizations in the area since 4000 BC.. You can feel a supernatural energy which was created by many people, events, emotions, and catastrophes to leave an eternal mark. The Spanish arrived after the Incas (forced them to the mountains), which they brought their culture, church, destruction, greed, and failure. The whole city is a collection of things amazing, and shocking that can happen in life.