beautiful quito.
i love watching the shadows the clouds cast over the city.
during my last few months in ecuador i am trying to focus on the things i love about living here. the mountains, the clouds, the old architecture in the Centro...these are three of the things i will miss.
i spent a lot of time this week thinking about this quote from the Bhagavad Gita (found in the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert): "It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else's life with perfection."
and also about dear mati rose who sent me a hilarious esther pearl watson comic, some tea, and two of her fabulous prints. i especially love this one:
precious. thank you mati for thinking of me and sending me a package just because...
have a great weekend! i'm off to give a collage lesson to some old church ladies who want to make cards for a fundraiser.
Wow that quote is deep,I love the Bhagavad Gita I haven't read all but everytime I read something from that it always hits home with me.Thanks,and many more of those pondering moments in ecuador is what I wish for you!!(so we get to enjoy them too!)xoxo
Posted by: Desirée | March 16, 2007 at 02:52 PM
truth holds love, and that quote is pure gift!
Posted by: tongue in cheek | March 16, 2007 at 03:06 PM
I love the second picture especially!
Posted by: sarah | March 16, 2007 at 08:15 PM
you are busy! spanish, work, teaching collage...
i love your mail and that quote.
Posted by: Veronica TM | March 16, 2007 at 09:02 PM
Your photos and descriptions amaze me. I told hubby we need to travel in Ecuador. He's notvso sure yet.
Posted by: Rachael | March 17, 2007 at 12:30 AM
Your photos are ever so breath taking!!!
Posted by: stilettoheights | March 17, 2007 at 06:34 AM
I like your photos. The card is also nice.
The cockroches are ooooooooooooo :((((((((
Posted by: kika | March 17, 2007 at 11:49 AM
*sigh* lovely. Yes, Quito has much to miss, like Ecuador in general. I always feel so sad for my cousins and Canada who haven't gone, and have no desire to. There is so much beauty, and it is doubly irresistable knowing that it is a part of me and my heritage. Have a wonderful time enjoying as much as you can :)
Posted by: tatjana | March 17, 2007 at 01:23 PM
what a nice trip you are taking us on. beautiful photos.
Posted by: jessica | March 17, 2007 at 05:30 PM
beautiful quito pictures. clouds over valley cities... so lovely.
a bit shuddery from the bugs in your previous post :) and thinking of you + your jungle pics today as i have blogged nothing but reptiles...
Posted by: amisha | March 17, 2007 at 05:51 PM
Wow, so you're leaving Ecuador soon?! Are you going to move back to New York? When my fiance and I finally do our South America trip and visit Ecuador I will have to be sure and post plenty of pics and stories just for you! Thank you for sharing your journey and inspiring me so much about this part of the world.
Posted by: Julia MacRobbie | March 17, 2007 at 07:12 PM
Oooooo, look at that place.....How interesting the second pic is. Yippee woo hoo!! you are coming back soon!!!!!! Colorado, here you come....xxxxooooVanessa. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. You know why. ;)
Posted by: Vanessa | March 17, 2007 at 11:30 PM
Oh, yes, little birds do sing the prettiest of songs. Love your photos of Quito, Risa. I could never, never tire of them. How I want to pop across and explore...
see you, g xo
Posted by: gracia | March 18, 2007 at 01:30 AM
What an amazing looking city, and those hills look lovely.
xo lj
Posted by: louise | March 18, 2007 at 05:49 AM
Thanks for the exotic view...it's very fascinating, so different than here in Finland. Beautiful quote!
Posted by: Kirsi/Itkupilli | March 18, 2007 at 07:07 AM
What a fantastic view, so amazing! I love mati rose's print, it's adorable :)
Posted by: cruststation | March 18, 2007 at 08:31 AM
Those are beautiful pictures of Ecuador. That print from Mati is super adorable. It almost reminds me of a Radiohead video. Happy moving!!
Posted by: KSV | March 18, 2007 at 09:02 AM
big smile to you!!
Posted by: lisa s | March 18, 2007 at 03:57 PM
wow looks very beautiful!!
reminds me of my time in Cyprus - was such a love/hate relationship with the island but now I miss it so much sometimes it hurts...you always appreciate things when you go...
lovely little print!
Posted by: Anastasia | March 19, 2007 at 06:21 PM
Your pictures of Quito are beautiful and i suddenly went all sad when i read this post.
ENJOY enjoy your time left there!!
And your print present is lovely! xxx
Posted by: julie | March 20, 2007 at 11:58 AM
oh, you're so sweet! i hope you don't have too much to move with all the packages you get! xoxo, m
Posted by: mati | March 20, 2007 at 12:27 PM
These are stunning, I love being able to watch the storms come in in Cuenca too. We went up the teleférico Sunday and it was breathtaking.
Posted by: Claudia | March 21, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Wow Those photos of Quito are just amazing. It reminded me of La Paz in Bolivia where I traveled many years ago.
Posted by: simple me | March 23, 2007 at 12:14 PM