Straddling the Equator in Quito

A quick 1.5 hour flight from Medellin brought us to Quito and country #8 on our trip – Ecuador.

While still in Colombia, we decided to book a last-minute trip to the Galapagos, which would require us to be in Southern Ecuador in 10 days. With the clock ticking, we decided to skip through Quito quickly, only spending two nights there.

Our first stop was on the outskirts of the city at the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument, which marks the “official” equator dividing the Northern and Southern hemispheres. A replica village has been constructed, complete with restaurants, souvenir stands, and cultural exhibits. It really all did feel like a bit of a tourist trap.

The Mitad del Mundo monument and village, just outside Quito, Ecuador. View at Picasa The Mitad del Mundo monument and village, just outside Quito, Ecuador.22-Sep-2010 12:10

We took a slew of photos in front of the stone monument and painted line symbolizing the equator.

Heather in the Northern Hemisphere, Erik in the Southern. View at Picasa Heather in the Northern Hemisphere, Erik in the Southern.22-Sep-2010 11:45

Everyone seems to know that this monument is not actually the “real” equator. Our guidebook stated this and my GPS verified we were a couple hundred meters too far South. Just over the wall from the Mitad del Mundo complex, sits the Museo del Sitio Intiñan, which claims to be on the actual equator as measured by military GPS.

The supposed “real” equator. View at Picasa The supposed "real" equator.22-Sep-2010 12:24

We were shown a number of experiments, proving this was the real equator, such as the famous sink demonstration.

Our guide then challenged us to balance an egg on a nail, which is supposed to be easier to do directly on the equator. Heather succeeded at this and was quite proud of herself.

Heather’s egg balancing perfectly on a nail. View at Picasa Heather's egg balancing perfectly on a nail.22-Sep-2010 13:29

They also had some demonstrations to show how our strength is diminished directly on the equator or how it’s easier to walk in a straight line with our eyes closed.

Heather walking a straight line across the equator with her eyes closed. View at Picasa Heather walking a straight line across the equator with her eyes closed.22-Sep-2010 13:13

Apparently, these are all just tricks, which can be performed anywhere and have nothing to do with latitude. My GPS couldn’t even confirm the “real” equator at the Intiñan museum. We were a little disappointed to find out that neither one of these places cross the actual equator, but it made for a fun day anyway.

Back in the city, we strolled around the historical center, which is packed with impressive colonial buildings and some dazzling churches.

Impressive gold leaf inside the Iglesia La Compañía, Quito View at Picasa Impressive gold leaf inside the Iglesia La Compañía, Quito22-Sep-2010 15:57

One of these churches, the Basilica del Voto, allows visitors to climb to the top of its bell towers – the tallest in Ecuador.

Quito’s Basilica. We climbed the tower at left in the foreground. View at Picasa Quito's Basilica. We climbed the tower at left in the foreground.23-Sep-2010 10:01

The climb involved a number of steep dodgy ladders up to the very top of one of the towers. It would appear there was little regard to safety standards, as it would have been very easy to miss one of the uneven rungs or fall through one of the openings.

Heather climbing the ladders at the Basilica. View at Picasa Heather climbing the ladders at the Basilica.23-Sep-2010 10:56

The climb left us with butterflies in our stomachs, but the view from the top was spectacular.

Quito as seen from the Basilica. View at Picasa Quito as seen from the Basilica.23-Sep-2010 11:04

You can see all our pictures from Quito in the photo gallery.