Norma C. Acuña born in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

She earned her Master of Arts degree in Contemporary Latin American Literature from the California State University, Los Angeles. Her Bachelors degrees are in the area of Education and Spanish. She has been teaching Spanish language over 22 years at the university level. She is interested in Art specifically Artesania, reading and visiting other lands.

Tireless traveler I had visited 43 countries in five continents. Now my friends I invite you all to walk on the clouds in the land of the volcanoes, ECUADOR.

Ecuador, the Kingdom of the Quitus, birthplace of the last and great Emperor of the Incas, Atahuallpa, is a country of small proportions but gifted in innumerable natural beauties. Quito, the capital of Ecuador also known as the “City of Eternal Spring” act as the cultural center for the whole country. Located at 9,500 ft. above sea level in the Valley of Ilalo, Quito is protected by two majestic volcanoes Guagua "the younger" Pichincha and Rucu "the elder" Pichincha, site of the last battle in road to independence from Spain. Quito is a vibrant and cultural city. In 1978 the UNESCO declare Quito a "World Heritage Site" by her enormous contributions to humanity in the fields of arts and culture. Much of Quito's attractions lie in its exquisite religious art and colonial architecture.

"Quito School" religious art is scattered through the numerous cathedrals and museums in the city. The San Francisco Cathedral and her choir loft decorated with images of various martyrs who died for their faith also houses the remains of Simón Bolivar's Field Marshall Antonio José de Sucre, his name was used to name the Ecuadorian monetary currency. Today "el sucre" is been replaced by the American dollar. Some of the best religious art is housed at the Casa de la Cultura Nacional run by the Central Bank of Ecuador. This museum also holds a large collection of ceramic, gold, silver and textiles from Incan and other pre-Columbian tribes within Ecuador.

The Presidential Palace Carondolet, The Metropolitan Museum, the Catholic University Museum, San Agustín Church site of the signing of Ecuador's declaration of independence on August 10, 1809, the Compañía de Jesús Church with her solid gold covered walls and, the Guayasamin Museum nestled an amazing collections of colonial art and antiquity artifacts patrimony of the Ecuadorian culture and history.

Chimborazo at noon

But if your interest is set in the Ecuadorian topography don't miss the fascinated volcanoes. Ecuador is blessed with a number of snow-capped volcanoes. Over two hundred volcanoes! Chimborazo (20,651 ft.) is the tallest and a supreme Ecuadorian symbol of freedom. Cotopaxi (19,348 ft.) one of the tallest active volcano in the world. The Tungurahua (16,452 ft.) the second tallest is actually erupting. The view is breathtaking if you can stand the roaring noise.

Tungurahua - Spring 2001

Because of its varying altitudes, Ecuador has a wide range of climates. If your point of departure is Quito in a matter of one flying hour in any direction you can go from the highlands with cold desert filled with incredible views, rugged terrain, hidden valleys and lakes, to rainforest filled with exotic animals and luxuriant vegetation in the Amazon region, to the Galapagos Island habitat of an unique fauna and flora that has fascinated scientist since Charles Darwin visited the islands in 1836, to the coastal plains of the Pacific and her beautiful and clean beaches.

Then, come and visit Ecuador the land of friendly people and roaring mountains!