Shirley Goodness: The Equator

We had two touristy days in Ecuador, and Friday was our first one. I would say it was the most fun of the two days, but then when I get to talking about the second day, I will probably change my mind!

It was nice to get some sleep and to remember to brush my teeth with bottled water! Breakfast was family style...a tradition we would experience every morning...with bread and butter, eggs, lemongrass juice and cantaloupe juice. Nathan gave the morning devotion about David and Goliath and being able to do all things with God's help. Then we were ready to start our day!

View from the hotel

Alexia and Nathan ready to tour Quito

Some views of Quito from the bus

We got our backpacks and money belts ready and headed to the Equator and the Temple of the Sun. At the actual equator, (the monument for the equator is actually at the wrong spot as determined by GPS) we were able to stand in two different hemispheres at the same time and see water swirl in two different directions...clockwise in the southern and counter-clockwise in the northern. And on the line, it didn't swirl at all. Very cool. You were also supposed to be able to stand an egg on end on a nail head on the line, but I couldn't do it. And it was hard to walk the line with your eyes closed. All very educational, but very cool!

We were greeted by an alpaca

burial rituals

Our tour guide

Different totem poles

There are 12 hours of sunlight in Ecuador all year round...6 am -6 pm

Standing in two hemispheres at one time!

Nathan and Alexia in two different hemispheres!

I thought I had done it with the egg on it's side, but apparently only children are allowed to do it that way!

A man weaving

The Equator

The Southern Hemisphere

The Northern Hemisphere

Nathan walking the line

We also learned how to shrink heads...well, there is a secret ingredient that they didn't tell us about, so I guess I won't be able to do it! The Shuar tribe (the one we would be going to later in the week) were the head shrinkers. They would put enemy heads on a stake, but hang heads of loved ones around their neck. We saw two shrunken heads and a shrunken sloth. One of the heads we couldn't photograph, and that one had amazing details!

A shrunken head

Part of the shrinking head instructions are on the back wall

A shrunken sloth

We were able to buy some souvenirs...a bird whistle for Camden, pins and some bracelets (the lady gave me "uno mas" after I bought 20). And we got an Equator stamp in our passport! So now I am up to two!

Before heading to lunch, we walked by the monument for the Equator that is in the wrong place, and around the building where the South American Presidents meet.