At the Equator!!

Feb 24, 2014

After a quiet day yesterday of catching up with emails and Skype, downloading photos and doing laundry, we set out again today, this time north of Quito.
Leaving the city and returning this evening, the teleferico was in the clouds so we are very happy we had gone on Saturday with more favorable weather conditions.

Our first stop was at the equator, La Mitad del Mundo. here is where Charles Marie de La Condamine made the measurements in 1736, showing that this was indeed the equatorial line.This was the beginning of the metric system and proof that the world was not perfectly round.

Dave posed with one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the South. brought back memories of the same pose on the Tropic of Capricorn in Australia in 2000.

From there we head through  the Andes on the Pan American highway, stopped at a lookout for photos and in rolls two motor homes from Switzerland, doing the whole Pan American highway from the tip of South America to Alaska, 38,000 miles in 180 days. You should have seen Dave's eyes and then his next question..."anyone interested?" well, I must say that after three hours on that highway with kazillion buses and transports doing the roller coaster and switch backs, if this is any indication of the whole trip, he will be solo in Herbie!

And then one of the most important  markets in the Andes, Otavalo..... made the trip worthwhile. Although Saturday is the boom day, we appreciated smaller crowds and vendors willing to bargain, however, we still dropped a huge chunk of change there and will definitely need another maleta!
All the folks wore traditional clothing, women with white embroidered blouses and long woolen skirts, mostly black. The older ladies wore hats similar to the Bavarian cut.Men had felt hats, calf length pants and one long braid.
The Plaza de Ponchos is full of artisan crafts---woolen goods such as rugs, tapestries,blankets, ponchos, sweaters, scarves and gloves.
Yes, we bought a few and then Dave bought some alpaca slippers, so cozy.
They also have embroidered blouses,hammocks, carvings and lots of jewelry.

Dave buys alpaca slippers

but I like these local shoes

Almost bought these for our grandsons

"the poor will always be among us"

From there, we head down the road to Cotacachi, a city full of leather workers. The main street has at least 50 leather shops, you name it...purses, luggage, coats, shawls, belts, gloves and shoes. Once again, could have done some damage on the travel account so went for lunch instead.

Dave has a thing about doors and this town has many samples for his folder!

Every one of these shops is leather products, nothing else

Yes, it could be my mother!

From the Rose capital of the world, a gift for every diner.

I had asked the first guide we met two weeks ago what to expect for typical food...he said papas, that would be potatoes! Looks like a French fry but only kisses the hot fat I think, as they are very soft, I choose salads instead!!

The city has been named "City of Peace". World travelers are coming here for the great prices but also buying property, an up and coming expat community, I think.

Crossing along the top of the Andes, at one point, we drove through "The Rose Capital of the World". Now it makes sense how you can buy 25 roses for 1 dollar down in Quito!!! Miles and miles and miles of hot house, protected from the wind by very high bamboo fences and the scent in the air was powerful.. loved it!

Back at the hotel, a little weary but chuckling . Yesterday, Shannon shared some concern about his Dad swimming with hammerhead sharks and tonight "Jaws" is on TV!!