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- DSC04274
Sonam enjoys a bizcochos dipped in dulce de leche: yummy! - Jeans
- DSC04285
When we got to Quito, our first stop was Mitad del Mundo, the Center of the World, site of the equator. Pre-Columbian Ecuadorians had determined that this site was the center of the world 9000 years ago. In the 1730's, the French Geodesic Mission confirmed it. The main attraction here is the Mitad del Mundo monument, a globe perched atop an obelisk. The grounds also contain a myriad of shops, restaurants, and museums. - DSC04287
Mitad del Mundo - DSC04288
In the intervening years with the advent of GPS technology, it has been found that it is slightly off the equator (with the Museo Inti ñan now marking the precise spot), but the GPS on my phone read 0 degrees 0'8''; not too shabby! - DSC04289
Equator - DSC04290
Sonam and Craig standing in different hemispheres (Sonam in the South, Craig in the North) We stood on the equator line, which runs right through the center of the monument. We had made a quick visit here in 2010, but had not gotten the chance to climb the monument. We did so today, and were delighted to find a museum inside the monument. As we ascended each level, there were exhibits about geography, science, and Ecuadorian culture. - DSC04294
The local masks remind Sonam of similar ones in Bhutan - DSC04295
Diablo (devil) mask - DSC04306
South America on the globe as seen from the observation deck of the monument - DSC04310
View from the observation deck of Mitad del Mundo - DSC04311
Sonam and Craig on the observation deck of the Mitad del Mundo monument - DSC04308
Equator viewed from the observation deck of Mitad del Mundo - DSC04316
Sonam and Craig on the observation deck of the Mitad del Mundo monument - DSC04318
Next to the monument was a planetarium. Sonam had never been to one before, and we hadn't been ourselves in ages. So we went inside and enjoyed the presentation.