Bad Peggy—taking clandestine photos
Ceiling at Company of Jesus Church
No I’m not taking any sleezy pictures—these are from the gold church in Quito.
The Company of Jesus Church or La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús, as it is known in Spanish, is probably Quito’s most famous church.
La Compañía looks quite ordinary from the outside, but then you go in. Everywhere you look there is gold leaf, gilded plaster and intricate wood carvings. Poor John and I were absolutely gobsmacked and dazzled when we first walked in. We were so impressed that we went back to visit a second time.
That’s when I whipped out the iPhone. There are signs everywhere that warn you not to take photos in the church. I have no idea why—is it considered sacrilegious, will it damage the gold?
But after I saw two little boys playing in the confessional, without an admonishment from their mother, and three little girls eating drippy ice creams as they strolled through the church, I figured cameras had to be OKAY.
I put the iPhone on my lap and snapped a few pics of the ceiling and then tilted it to capture other parts of the church. I’m only half-certain which way I pointed the camera, but at least there is some evidence of the gold overload.
The church has a long history. It was started in 1605 and not completed until 1765. It is considered one of the most significant works of Spanish Baroque architecture in South America.
Where to next? 
WOW How absolutely …WOW!!! At least you did not get caught by a priest and had to confess your sins in the confessional too! lol Glad you still are enjoying and really LOVE seeing your travels through yours and Poor John’s view! 🙂 WHOO HOO!
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Hi Joanne — I rather wondered what would happen if I got caught! :)And yes, we’re still having a wonderful time.
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lol Says she use um, OBTAINED a photo of the Mona Lisa…the camera became possessed and took a photo itself. That’s my story and I am sticking to it! lol
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Good story, and totally believable.
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Ha, ha reminds me of the gold souk in Dubai – not the churchy bit of course!!
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Hi Wendy. Glad you mentioned that. This church even runs circles around a gold souk!
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Hi Peggy,
Absolutely beautiful church. And don’t worry; we Catholics won’t persecute you for one or two little photos. And I’m very pleased that you have an iPhone. Beautiful photos; thank you.
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Hi Louise. Good to know my misdemeanour will be ignored. I rather thought you’d like to see the pictures more than worry about the rules. 🙂
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