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Published: April 3rd 2011
Yes, we crossed into the Northern Hemisphere for a few hours today, and it was okay. Much warmer than when we left it. Tomorrow our tour takes us to the very spot where some time in the 1760s, French scientists measured the equator to be, and figured out that the earth is not exactly a sphere, but a somewhat flattened ball, bulging out around the middle.
In Ecuador, we have our own guide Edison, who is teriffic. Travelling in a car, and being able to make the schedule fit our interests is great. Today we visited the huge Saturday market in Otavalo about 100 km North of Quito. On the way, we stopped at a sanctuary for birds that have been rescued. Twice a day, the operators exercize the birds, and answer questions from an audience that gathers to watch. It was an excellent show that included a hawk, falcon, and black chested eagle. We also got to hold an American Kestrel. There are condors and a 22 year old eagle with a very strange fluff of feathers around it´s head. All of the birds had been brought to the sanctuary after being taken as pets, or injured in the
Eagle
This (I think) was the black chested eagle, the biggest bird they exercized this morning. The little amphitheatre at the sanctuary looks right out over a valley, and the handler would literally throw the bird over the edge, and it would soar for a few minutes on the breeze blowing up the valley, then he would call it back by holding up a piece of fresh meat. wild.
The big surprise about Quito is that it is not always stinking hot just because it is beside the equator. Altitude and wind over the Andes have a lot to do with it too, and the weather is quite mild. We wore shorts today, but were in the minority. This time of year, it normally rains every afternoon, but today we dodged that.
After Otavalo, we visited the picturesque community of Cotacachi for lunch and a tour through the shops that specialize in handcrafted leather products.
The main attraction of the day however, was the absolutely stunning countryside that we drove through. In this area, the Andes mountains are split into an East and a West range, and we travelled through the lush valley in between. Steep canyons, forest, and rich agricultural land made for a great drive. For most of the time out of the city, we were on a section of the PanAmerican highway which is operated as a toll highway by a private company. At the toll booths, the staff wear respirators to protect themselves from the fumes. Vehicle exhaust is particularly bad in South America, and I thought it had to do
with different emissions standards. Edison agreed, but also explained that part of the problem is the poor quality of refining of fuel here. They are still burning leaded gas here.
Tomorrow we meet Edison again for a tour around Quito.
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mom
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I thought it would be excrutiatingly hot at the equator. Glad ti was more comfortable. The world men's curling is on this week. Canada (Jeff Stoughton) won their first two games. I'm madly trtying to catch up on the bridge games I missed when I was sick. Hope I can get them all in by the end pof the month. Weather has been much nicer, but it will be dipping down to below 0 for a day or two. THey've been having blizzards in Edmonton and the maritimes. First week of the electionis over & it';s been BORING. Hugs & kisses.