Middle of the World and Cuy. . .

I'm trying to catch up with the summer happenings and came across these photos from taking a team to the "Middle of the World" - or more commonly known as the EQUATOR. The equator is located about 15 miles north of Quito and it's about the most "touristy" place I know of here. There are many things to do - including an elevator ride up the equator monument and then a walk down through the cultural museum - with various indigenous groups represented on each level. And there's always the all-important photo, standing on the equator line with one foot in each hemisphere. They also have a "town" set up to look like a typical Ecuadorian "pueblo" with a square in the middle, a church on one-side, and a bull-ring. The "town" actually contains lots of tourist shops and restaurants. On the weekends they also feature live folklore music and dancing, making the equator an interesting place to visit with groups and visitors.



You'll also see a photo of an Ecuadorian delicacy, called "cuy" - this is actually roasted guinea pig! Kind of hard to imagine as this would normally be a house-hold pet for most of us. Somehow guinea pig was introduced here a long ago for the indigenous communities because the meat has the highest concentration of protein of any meat. . . . and it seems to have stuck around. We try to order one for our groups just to "give them the experience".

If you come and visit us in Quito, a stop at the Middle of the World is a must! But we'll let you make the choice as to whether you want to try cuy or not!