Aloha Everyone,
The Ciudad Mitad del Mundo translates as Middle of the World City is where one can visit the Monument to the Equator. Though definitely touristic, it was fun to stand with my right leg on the Southern Hemisphere and the left on the Northern Hemisphere.
Ecuador, in Latin, means even maker where the day and night are exactly the same length all year. Being at the equator, you would think it would be very hot to be living here but not in Quito. The region has cool, spring like weather year around. This pleasant temperature is mainly due to the high altitude - 7,800 ft to over 10,000 ft above sea level, but also because of the clouds gathering around the surrounding mountains. It often rains in the afternoon.
Inside the monument were 7 levels of photographic and life size diorama displaying the history, different regions, arts and cultures of Ecuador. We paid $3 for parking and $5 entrance fees for the two of us.
Our hotel assisted us in hiring a taxi to take us to the monument. For the round trip fare and tip that took us a total of 4 hours including a lunch stop, J.J. gave our taxi driver $65 including a 20% tip. Although J.J. needed a long nap from such an active morning, we both agreed that this was a worthwhile activity.
Aloha -- Cathi