Well, you can´t come to Ecuador without visiting its namesake, the Equator. The Equator goes right through the country, and 16 others in the world. There are several monuments marking the line, but this one is by far the most geographically accurate. Several of the other ones are off by a few hundred metres, as they were created long before satellites and GPS. This one is bang on, and takes a more scientific approach to describing the Equator, and a unique view of the world.
Some of the other Equatorial monuments are quite busy and very kitchy - doing the stupid "drain flowing in opposite directions" trick, even though they are not even on the actual Equator. Our guide also suggested we try balancing an egg at home, the trick is how the yolk sits in the egg, and has nothing to do with being on the Equator.
Behind me is Cayambe Volcano, the only spot on the entire planet where there is snow right on the Equator.
The guide at the centre gave a very interesting talk on scientific aspects of the Equator. It included a very unique way of viewing the world, with maps taking the view from the Equatorial perspective, looking east along the Equator, with the Northern Hemisphere on the left, and Southern on the right.
Children are now being taught this very logical view. Funny how we Westerners view the world with us on the top, and our Aussie friends "down under"
We wandered around the sundial, taking pictures, and contemplating the world from its midpoint. At one point a heard a loud "thunk". It seems Sara thought that the stones on the sundial points were glued to the rocks they were actually balanced on. I started laughing so hard; it was right up there with Clarence extinguishing one of the eternal flames in Turkey!
Wishing the Northern and Southern hemispheres shanti (peace) from the Equator.
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