Ecuador: Quito

The valley below us is the crater left by the extinct volcano Pululahua. 

My new Grandpa Eli and I at the Middle of the Earth!

 This monument is not at real the equator - the original geographers missed their mark by 500 meters.  Still, this was as a remarkable feat as they made their discovery using rudimentary tools (and lots of geometry!)

  At the real equator, as determined by GPS.  No coriolis effect!  At the Museum at the Middle of the Earth, the guides demonstrated how water drains striaght down on the equator.  Amazing!

 My new biker pal Greg and I - in different hemispheres. Notice cacti and coniferous trees in the background.

  Our first bike ride was to Parque Metropolitano, which is 2.890 meters above sea level.  Quite a ride, quite a view.

Once the bike trip starts, I´ll be longing for una moto!