Tour of Quito and The Equator

Tuesday 9/24/2013
Although I still didn't feel, I forced myself to take a bus tour with Willie and Nelly and see Quito. It was a great way to experience this beautiful but congested city. Two highlights were the Panecillo, which is a mountain peak with beautiful views of the sprawling city. Quto is surrounded by rolling hills and mountains.
Then we got off the bus in old, colonial Quito-the old city.
The architecture is beautifully  preserved back to the colonial days, 450 to 500 years.
I saw some beautiful buildings, churches and parks.
This is why Quito was the first city designated a United Nation's world heritage site.
It is  walking and seeing how Quito was 500 years ago.
We had a nice lunch, as much as I could eat. Then we went back home.

Wednesday 9/25/2013
Still feeling weak and dizzy but today we went to the Center of the World. It is the Equator. The line that divides the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It was really nice to see the little village they have built around the monument where the Equator lies. Little museums and restaurants and gift shops. So, that was nice.
But, scientists 200 years ago, with the technology then, figured out where the Equator was. It turns out they were a little off with their calculations. So, now with GPS, they have exactly calculated where the Equator is. It turns out the scientists 200 years ago were only 200 meters off. That is amazing.
So, they have built another small park where the real Equator is. The most amazing thing was the live demonstrations showing what happens on the Equator, to the north of it and to the south of it.

We saw that water really circulates in different directions depending on where one is, north or south of the equator.
You can really balance a raw egg on the head of a nail, on the equator.
One is about 4 pound lighter on the Equator.
It really makes one realize the power of the earth and the energies we don't even feel or are conscious off. It was really inspirational to realize the effects of earth on us.

Atahualpa's Revenge - We are sick

I guess all the beauty of Ecuador caused me, and everyone, to let our guard down and ignore all the warnings regarding being careful of what one eats and drinks. We have all been very sick for two days. I practically moved to the bathroom. I will spare you the details. One person, Willie, survived the health attack because his stomach most be made of titanium. He has been taking care of all of us.
Thankfully, I feel much better now and, I think everyone should be back to normal within on day.
Hopefully, we can get back to seeing more of this beautiful country.
By the way, The people could not be more friendlier. Everyone is cheerful, respectful, happy and
helpful.
I hope to have more exciting and positive posts soon.

Here are pictures from healthier and happier days. Our trip to Lago San Pablo and Otavalo

Lago San Pablo and Otavalo

What a beautiful,  perfect day! 

Willie, Nelly, Billie, Sam and I, headed over to Lago San Pablo, about 1 ½ hours from Quito  for lunch.  Billie drove.

The ride was just spectacular highlighted by beautiful  snow capped mountains, beautiful hills and a landscape reminiscent of Switzerland. The  roads  are perfect, although we encountered some traffic.

Lake St. Paul was as beautiful  as the drive there. Not so large but surrounded by gorgeous mountains. Very peaceful and friendly.  We had a delicious lunch, typical of that region.  The restaurant was at a beautiful small resort right on the lake.

After lunch, we drove for about 30 minutes  to Otavalo to see and experience what they say is the largest outdoor market  In South America.  Although  the other four had been to Otavalo before, We were all  not disappointed.

I don’t know how big it is, but it is huge. There, t hey sell everything you can imagine for a typical outdoor market , in addition to,  typical indigenous clothing, jewelry, art, sculptures, food, flours, plants..

You name it.

For me the best was just seeing all the indigenous people dressed in their typical Indian clothes.

It was just a wonderful experience.  After the market?  Drive back home to rest.

Tomorrow, we may go to the center of the world.

Ecuador Friday 9/21/2013

9/21/2013 Friday.
Trying to get used to the altitude. Quito it's close to 9,500 ft. above sea level and breathing is a little difficult for a few days. We had lunch in downtown Quito tasting crevice. Not as good as they make it on the coast. Very congested by cars. The city is definitively expanding fast. 
Tomorrow we go to Otavalo to see the biggest outdoor market in South America.

9/20/2013. Willie, Nelly and I arrived in Quito at 7 pm. Weather is a comfortable 70 degrees.
Already had an incident that could possibly have ruined the vacation. About five miles into our cab ride home, which was going to take a bit over an hour, I realized I had left my backpack at the airport. I panicked and felt sick. I thought I will never see it again. My whole vacation ruined.
In the backpack was my laptop, Ipod, passport, the rest of my electronics and some money. In total, around $1,500. But the important thing is the contents in my devices.
The cab driver rushed back to the airport and to my delight, the honest airport workers had placed my backpack in a safe place.
After telling them everything I had in it, they gave me my backpack. How lucky am I ?
They, reluctantly accepted $40, but refused my hugs.
Back to enjoy the vacation.
Quito by night looks beautiful, with lots of hills. Tomorrow we see old, colonial Quito.

I am finally visiting my home country after 51 years. I'm so excited.