Quito

Our first trip to South America started in Quito the capital of Ecuador. At 9350 feet above sea level it is the second highest capital of the world and sits below the 15,696 ft Pichincha volcano. (The highest capital  is Lapas in Bolivia). At 2 million people (of the 9M total in the country) it seems small but is spread over any land that could be vaguely described as a slope (as opposed to a cliff). Ecuador is Spanish for equator and Quito is “centre of the world”. After a day of rest we decided on a day trip to the old town and the equator. There is much history here as the city dates back to 1534. La Basilica del Voto Nacional had a service underway and a large contingent of police outside. Even without the police the building was imposing....

A stand out of the architecture was the gargoyles which were animal from Galapagos. The tower was decked with Condors (which are virtually extinct in Ecuador with numbers in single figures).

The main square was bound by the Palacio Municipal, Palacio Presidencial, La Compania and Inglesia La Merced. In the centre of the square is a statue celebrating independence in 1809. The Spanish lion at the bottom has been injured and is skulking off, the Condor part way up has broken its shackles with broken links in its beak and the top is adorned by Madonna of the Apocalypse.  

We arrived at the Presidential palace just in time to see the gates opened to a large contingent of local government representatives who were meeting the President.  The guard are in the same colours as the Sucre army that won the civil war between Liberals and Conservatives. 

The palace has quite a bit of history including a plaque commemorating the death of an earlier president who was hacked to death by machete at the hand of his lover’s husband!

The old city is overlooked by Virgen del Panecillo. It is a huge statue made up of many small parts which were shipped from (and were a gift of) Spain.

We gained entry to two churches the first was run by Jesuits and there was a $3 entry charge. I found out (after taking the following photo) that photography was not allowed. It is covered in gold leaf and with both natural and local uplights had a justifiable feel of richness. All those in the church appeared to be tourists.

Meanwhile further up the road was a similarly decorated church run by Franciscans. It was really run down – maybe due to the fact there was no entry charge. Despite there being many praying, we were allowed to stroll around unhindered as well as take pictures. Outside the monks were providing soup and clothes for those in need. A remarkable contrast between Jesuits and Franciscans. Interesting the new Pope although a Jesuit goes by the name of Francis and he clearly does not fit the mould.

A stop by the Virgen del Panecillo was mandatory so as to gain a great view of the city. Buildings just cling onto the sides of the mountains. I hope they do not get an earthquake.

We then travelled to the equator (well very close to it). Here there is a road with statues of some French scientists who calculated where the equator was.

and we succumbed to the main point of the visit a picture of one foot in each of the hemispheres.

The only problem is the Frenchies got it wrong (and despite a single indigenous representative telling them so)!

The real equator is 240 metres North and can be visited at an indigenous museum. So here is the second attempt at a foot in each hemisphere. In front of Helen is a small spike that on the 21 March and 23 September has the sun directly over it at midday.

It is also easy to tell the time with a vertical sun dial (although the sun needs to be shining). It was just after 3 during our visit. 

There were a range of experiments. You could balance an egg on a nail head (although not many of us could do this but you did get a Diploma certificate  if you could).

But the best from my perspective was demonstrating centrifugal force with a small mobile sink. When over the equator the water went straight down the plug hole, by moving 3 metres to the South it went down clockwise and 3 metres to the North it went down anti-clockwise. (OK so this really needs a movie.)

A great day out and Quito was certainly worth the visit. The last shot should however go to the beautiful mountains.