The Meandering Melanders

Having seen and thoroughly enjoyed the Galapagos Islands, we returned to Quito, Ecuador for the last stop on our trip.

The return flight from the Galapagos.

This interesting sign greeted us as did the bus to the hotel.

We had two days in mainland Ecuador. The first day we went into the mountains to a couple interesting towns. Getting there took us over some interesting terrain.

At the top of a very windy steep narrow road we found their emergency equipment.

We passed through a very large area of rose nurseries. They were all within tent type shelters and we could not see the flowers.

We stopped at a shop that sells panama hats, has a restaurant and restrooms, and an indian woman willing to allow pictures of her and her llamas (for a dollar). The animals were dirty so we passed on the tip. Actually, I didn’t see her outstretched hand until I reviewed the pictures. I didn’t think she even saw me.

We went to the city of Otavalo, known for its market.

They sell very pretty indian made jewelry, a fact that Carole learned very fast.

At lunchtime we stopped at a very old and picturesque hacienda.

This was a very long bus trip and it was good to get back “home” although we did see a lot of great places and things.

Our second and last day in Quito took us to the Equator and the monuments etc. located there.

I doubt it was related to the event depicted by the marker on the walkway shown above, but some time not too long ago it was determined that the equator had shifted a few hundred meters so a new location was identified. This movement is attributed to changing of configuration of the polar regions.

This is a sundial. On the day of Summer Solstice (longest day of the year which was a couple weeks before we got there) the shadow would be right over the West (”O” which is Spanish for Oeste).

On the Equator there is zero pull towards either of the poles. Thus, it was possible to balance an egg on the head of a nail.

Walking a rail on the Equator there was no pull to either side. Another experiment they showed us had to do with a sink with the drain plug pulled. When that drain sat immediately over the Equator, water passed directly through neither swirling clockwise nor counterclockwise. Moving it a couple feet on either side of the Equator, the water swirled in one direction on one side and the other direction on the other side.

In the city of Quito is a beautiful cathedral. Of special interest is that the gargoyles (figures on the outside) are depictions of Galapagos Island creatures such as tortoises.

Some of the “citified” indians.

Streets in Quito sort of narrow and steep.

Note the four arch configuration at this junction of four wings of a building.

Statue of the Madonna on hilltop overlooking Quito. Note the wings on the statue. This is the only known winged Madonna.

Around the city plaza.

This is the national palace of Ecuador. Note the shops on the ground level.

We visited the shop of the most famous panama hat maker in Ecuador. Panama hats are not made in Panama, they are a product of Ecuador. Harry would have bought one until he found the cheapest was $120 U.S. dollars.

This, friends, ends our sojourn to South America. The most exciting, educational, and fun three weeks anyone could ever expect. We expected our tour to be great, but all of our expectations were exceeded. We hope you enjoyed traveling with us and look forward to the next adventure. Don’t know where or when but it will happen.