The monument at
the Equator
She explained how she used significant
works in the historic area as creative
stimulation for her own projects. Her
angel statues are stunning.
We entered the house through a
sunlight gallery that is often used for
social gatherings but which currently
displays pen-and-ink drawings by Pilar
Bustos and a grand piano. Artists for
the rotating gallery are selected by
Sara based on their quality and
expressive power.
We then followed her out the back
door into tiered flowering gardens
bursting with plants endemic to the
area: colorful shrubs and carob,
walnut and fruit trees. As you stroll
around the yard you encounter Sara’s
statuary, ranging from formal to some
humorous works. Her commentary
provided an inside peek into her
personality and artistic style.
Following a snack we drove into the
historic colonial quarter of Quito for
Straddling the line
at the Equator
Cathedral
inspiration
Sitting room in
my suite
a walking tour. We had the exceptional
honor of having Sara and her husband
join us (though this is not typical).
Quito is one of the most wellpreserved Spanish colonial cities in
South America and should be an
essential part of every Ecuador trip.
The city was recognized in 1978 as a
UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site
and its narrow cobblestone streets
lined with whitewashed walls and
historic churches certainly made
me understand why.
First stop was the San Francisco
Cathedral and Monastery, a huge
Roman Catholic complex with an
equally large plaza begun in 16th
century. The property encompasses
nearly seven and a half acres,
including 13 cloisters, three churches
and a large courtyard. The main church
interior houses about 3,500 works,
10
including priceless paintings,
sculptures, altars and chapels.
We walked down the central nave with
its high ceiling and transept supported
by four main columns. We found
chapels on either side, each laden
with silver or gold candlesticks and
beautiful altarpieces. We didn’t stay
too long because of a tight schedule,
but I could clearly see Sara’s
inspiration for the Madonna statues
she had shown us in her home.
I felt privileged to gain an insightful
connection between the past and
present art works and Sara’s
ongoing creativity.
Next we stopped into La Compañía
de Jesús, Ecuador’s most beautiful
church, paying a nominal $4 entry fee.
This UNESCO Heritage Site does not
allow photography, which forced me to
stand and pause in its breathtaking