Quito is very modern. Almost surprisingly. There are fast food restaurants, gas stations that are current and modern, like the ones in the US. In the Rural communites there are modern facilites and the farmers live on a higher standard than in Peru or Bolivia. The children have shoes, and looked well kept. Granted we only saw the rural communities between Quito and Otavalo, along the Pan American Highway, but in general I would have to say there is more money being filtered down from the rich. The industry is flowers. There are many green houses that produce roses and carnations. Industries have moved in and trained the farmers to produce the flowers, most shipped to the US. Two dozen roses sells for $1 US in Quito.