Today (7/29/22), we toured the historic district of Quito. We saw many beautiful churches. One was completely gold on the inside, coated with gold leaf. We walked by the Presidential Palace in the Plaza Grande and then a couple of streets down tried lots of different fresh juices. One thing I found very different was how close you could get to their Presidential Palace, and the minimal security around it, it felt very different from the White House. I was able to see the church my grandmother used to go to when she lived in Quito. Later that day we went to taste test some of the best chocolate in the world. Ecuador has the highest quality cocoa in the world due to its diverse terrain and location on the equator. We tried pure cocoa which was yummy but kind of bitter, then we tried 85% and 70% pure chocolate with one or two extra flavors in it. Some of these flavorings included ginger, lemongrass, citrus, pepper, coffee, and more. After the tastings, we were able to buy our favorite flavors in full-size bars. Then we went back to the bus and drove to a beautiful restaurant overlooking the city where we were served cheese empanadas. While a lot of people do speak English in Quito, I have enjoyed practicing my Spanish, the Spanish they speak in Quito is very easy to understand, and a great one to practice with. The people here have been very warm and welcoming, and I have been able to adjust very easily. Even in a large city that is very busy, I did not feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. Our guide and driver have been very friendly and knowledgeable. They have answered any questions we might have had and have not been stumped yet. I am excited to continue our trip here.