Quito walking on the equator
Trip Start
Jul 27, 2008
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13
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Trip End
Mar 05, 2009
Quito,
Ecuador
Thursday, September 11, 2008
The old town is a World Heritage Site and is interesting. It has a number of very old buildings that at one time were very nice, but a bit run down now.
There is an extinct volcano which dominates the skyline and there are other lesser volcanos nearby. On a trip to a town about 60 miles away known for its craft market I went to the crater of another volcano which has a lake with a sheer drop several hundreds of feet deep. It was qute eerie to be going round in a boat in the crater.
However the main interest is the equator and there is a very intersting exhibition . There they do smove fully participative experiments. For example to let you feel the cancelling forces they ask you to try and walk blind fold.along the equator line - not easy. At this exact spot water drains straight down and you weigh about a kilo lighter which makes it easier to lift heavy things. A foot or two either side is a different story. Finally if you are really good its possivble to balance an egg on its end with it falling over. They give you a certificate if you succeed.
Another part of the exhibition os to give informtion about the people who lived here. Not too long ago they were shrinking heads of imoprtant people in the clan or enemies, a process which takes about 3 days. There was a step by step pictorial display. Today only the 12 year old boys are required to do this on monkeys to prove theri adulthood.
It was also possible to have a go with a blow pipe but it was very hard to hit the target. You needed a lot of puff. I failed miserably.
In another part of the city is a cable car that takes people another 2500ft further up. It was amazing to see the planes flying lower down. It was pretty chiily, and walking around was a bit difficult.
About 100 ks north of Quito is a craft market held once a week. It is the most importnt event in this place. The tour I took also took us to a lake in an extinct volcano where a boat took round the rim.. The water was very clear and there was a sheer drop for severl hundred metres. At the end of the boat ride we were given a drink with a very strong alcholic shot added. It was bitter and I had to add a big spoon of sugar.
I have also tried vaious local dishes but have not eaten guineapig and don't intend to!
FOOTNOTE: For the tour to to Otavalo contact Rodrigo at www.galapagoslastminute.net . He speaks English and also has tours of all types around Ecuador. For a place to stay his family have a hostel next to his office and are very wellcoming. It is very reasonable and there is hugh breakfast under sunshade when its dry.
