The Mitad del Mundo is situated in the midst of mountains north of Quito.

The view of the equatorial line from the top of the monument.
Inside the monument is the Ethnographic Museum with colorful and informative displays about the many indigenous tribes of Ecuador.

We enjoyed traditional Ecuadorian food at lunch, but skipped the cuy (roast Guinea pig).

Instead we had humitas. They are much like tamales but with cheese in the center instead of meat.

Above, dance performance.

Right, the grounds are nicely decorated and maintained.

OK, Mitad del Mundo is a really great tourist destination. But how do you really know that it show the actual equator? Maybe the surveyors made a small error a couple of hundred years ago.

That's exactly what they say at the Inti Ñan Solar Museum. They claim that a military GPS device accurately determined the equator to be about 200 yards north of the line at Mitad. Furthermore, they have "proof" using demonstrations.

Left, the obligatory photo at the equator, again.

Right, is it really easier to balance a raw egg at the equator? Our tourguide say "Sí". Kermit is skeptical of the whole pseudoscientific show.

Left, an actual shrunken head, left behind by an unlucky European explorer.

Right, cuys! These little Guinea pigs are cute and delicious.

Jocelyn and Kermit take their turns with the blowgun.
Yes, we had to wear the headdress.

Jocelyn looks fabulous. And she hit the target.