After a run around the local park and another splendid breakfast at the hostel, wandered in to the old town and Plaza Grande to see the changing of the guard outside the Presidential Palace. Don't think was the normal weekly affair because the president himself and some other apparently important people were there, along with lots of press. Marching bands, national anthems, waving flags, trooping soldiers...it had it all! Took in a couple of other plazas and churches before delicious lunch at an Ecuadorean restaurant, including delicious sorbet/ice-cream, a family recipe conjured up in 1858. Visited the main cathedral, a bit creepy given we were the only people in there. Best church of the day was the gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional, perched high on a hill with fantastic views of Quito from the top of the rather high bell tower. Unfortunately hail and frighteningly close lightning cut our time at the top short, but good fun all the same.