The middle of the world!

Our driver, Don Wilson, picked us up at around 9:30am. Our first stop was el Panecillo to see the statue of the Virgin of Quito. Awesome views of all of Quito from there. Spent a little while taking photos and Janet and I talked about when the Amazing Race did a segment there. I have to look it up on Youtube now.

From there we headed north to Mitad del Mundo, the middle of the world. Bruce and I had been there before but now that they found that the actual equator was not where they thought it was, there is a new tourist area. It was really interesting. We had an english speaking guide and they give you a lot of history of how different indiginous people lived. They also have a bunch of demonstrations/experiments that we got to participate in. One was to show that you are weaker when you are right on the equator line, one showed how you couldn't walk a straight line along the equator because the north and the south are both pulling you. Another was being ab le to balance an egg on the head of a small nail. Out of our whole group, Sam was the only one who could do it. He got a special certificate






After that we went to the original equator monument. We took a lot of silly photos, but this one was by far the best.


Don Wilson took us to a great place for lunch that had an awesome buffet. The food was great and we had so much fun. As usual, Michael entertained us. He was dancing and had us and other people in the restaurant cracking up.

On the way back we stopped at the Centro de Salud #8, the place where Sam was found. The center was closed but we took some photos and he at least got a chance to see it. It was the first time I had been there too and it was interesting to see.


Next, the orphanage!

Rolling blackouts, etc...

It's been difficult to post. Between rolling blackouts throughout the city, running around and spotty internet access, it is really hard to get a chunk of time to do it.
Tonight, after coming back from the Cloud Forest I will (hopefully) update.

Photos from Saturday

My favorite photo of the day


At laguna de Cuicocha

Saturday

It's 1 am, so this is going to be short. I promise a long update tomorrow with photos (i haven't' downloaded them yet)
We hired the guy who picked us up at the airport, Don Wilson, to take us to Otavalo market today. We spent the whole day out, went to the market and bought some stuff. It was pretty amazing there. They have all these people selling just about anything that you could think of. From toilet paper to animals. We had a good time there and bought some nice things. From there we went to Cotocachi, a town not too far away that is well known for their leather goods. We didn't' even shop while we were there. Ate lunch at a nice place and then headed to lake Cuicocha, an ecological reserve. this is a crater lake and the area is very beautiful. We took a small hike here. I thought I was going to die. This was no easy hike. We had fun there making fun of ourselves (me and Janet) about falling or dropping dead! On the way back we stopped in Cayambe where they have determined through GPS the true equator. There is a research project there that has created an amazing sundial and we learned a lot about the equator and the earth.
When we got back to Quito we took a walk to look for some snacks to bring back and then went out to dinner at La Rhonda, a very nice Ecuadorian restaurant. There was an Andean band playing and it was awesome. Like the bunch of idiots that we are, none of us brought a camera.
Tomorrow (actually later today)Don Wilson is picking us up to go to el Panecillo, the Mitad del Mundo and then possibly the telerfico(sp?) He is picking us up at 9 so I guess I should get some sleep.

More tomorrow, including photos from today

We're here!

We arrived last night. I don't even know what time it was when we finally got to the hotel. Sam thinks it was around midnight.
We checked in, went to our room (#1 for us, #6 for Janet and Michael), and went right to sleep

Today, after breakfast we went to Quicentro Mall. My brother forgot the charger to his camera and we wanted to see if we could find one. Unfortunately we weren't able to. Enjoy walking around the mall. Had lunch in the food court, Sam had KFC-he is SO adventurous, Michael and Janet had Taco Bell and Pizza Hut and I had rice and shrimp from an Ecuadorian place. Michael and Janet both wished they had been more adventurous. Not sure what we are doing tonight.
Sam and I are going to the orphanage on Monday at 3pm.
Tomorrow we are going to Otavalo to the market. We are being picked up at 8am.

Day after tomorrow

Just wanted to share...
This is what 15 onsies, 18 boxes of bandaids, 10 coloring books, 8 boxes of 48ct crayons, 20 bibs, 5 pair of sweat pants, 20 4 packs of childrens toothbrushes, 50 pair of childrens socks, 21 pair of infant socks, 13 boxes of large crayons, 3 3 pc infant outfits, 16 bottles of childrens tylenol and 18 tubes of desitin ointment look like packed into a suitcase.

WOW! Just a few more days and we will be on our way to Ecuador. I've been busy planning and shopping and packing. I feel a little overwhelmed, but that's just me. Tonight we are going shopping for stuff to bring to the orphanage with the money everyone has so kindly donated. We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives that care enough about Sam to donate so much. Thank you all again!
The orphanage staff did a great job of taking care of my baby while he was waiting for Bruce and I to come get him. I wonder if he stayed there a few days now they could kick his butt into shape. I remember that the sisters there took no nonsense from those kids. I guess thats how you have to be when you have so many kids and so little staff.

So keep checking here for stories and photos from our trip. Those of you who know my brother know there will be stories, and they will be funny!