Each Monday at precisely 11:30 in front of the presidential palace on Quito's Plaza Grande Square you can observe the formal ceremony of the changing of the guard. This ceremony is performed with great solemnity and aplomb as dignitaries observe from above the presidential palace on a veranda. We took in the sights on the Monday after Easter with some other missionaries as the children were out of school for their 4 day weekend.
One of our missionary friends who grew up here in Quito told us that there i
s always a group of the elderly Ecuadorians who come out to this park every day to socialize and watch the changing of the guard. We saw several of these "ancianos" sitting around and talking before the ceremony. There were street vendors selling ice cream and several children from local schools there to be a part of the ceremony. Right before the exchange of the sword to the guard coming on duty, we witnessed a drum corps and a bugle corps as well as the military band march to the center of the square. It was a really nice tradition that I am glad Ecuador has maintained. I hope they continue to carry this out as a reminder of their proud history of independence.
The guards (or Granderos de 
Tarqui) stand at attention for nearly 8 hours a day, day in and day out much like the Beefeaters of Buckingham Palace. The grenadiers are the guard of honor of the Presidential Palace, a building which dates back over 300 years and has been home to many Ecuadorian presidents, although the current president does not reside there. The Granderos de Tarqui along with the Liberators Simón Bolívar and San Martín were part of the patriot troops that drove out the Spanish in 1812.
Tarqui) stand at attention for nearly 8 hours a day, day in and day out much like the Beefeaters of Buckingham Palace. The grenadiers are the guard of honor of the Presidential Palace, a building which dates back over 300 years and has been home to many Ecuadorian presidents, although the current president does not reside there. The Granderos de Tarqui along with the Liberators Simón Bolívar and San Martín were part of the patriot troops that drove out the Spanish in 1812. The guards wear the same uniform they wore back in the 1800s replete with shiny brass 
buttons and black boots. Although they change guards twice daily, the ceremony with pomp and procession only occurs for the public on Mondays. We witnessed a few foreign dignitaries on the veranda along with the well loved vice-president of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno. Whenever the president is in town, he too attends this solemn ceremony in which all sing the national anthem along with other national songs.
buttons and black boots. Although they change guards twice daily, the ceremony with pomp and procession only occurs for the public on Mondays. We witnessed a few foreign dignitaries on the veranda along with the well loved vice-president of Ecuador, Lenín Moreno. Whenever the president is in town, he too attends this solemn ceremony in which all sing the national anthem along with other national songs.One of our missionary friends who grew up here in Quito told us that there i
s always a group of the elderly Ecuadorians who come out to this park every day to socialize and watch the changing of the guard. We saw several of these "ancianos" sitting around and talking before the ceremony. There were street vendors selling ice cream and several children from local schools there to be a part of the ceremony. Right before the exchange of the sword to the guard coming on duty, we witnessed a drum corps and a bugle corps as well as the military band march to the center of the square. It was a really nice tradition that I am glad Ecuador has maintained. I hope they continue to carry this out as a reminder of their proud history of independence. 
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