Mitad del Mundo - Part 2

Our previous blog mentioned that about 35 years ago the Canadian army came in with GPS equipment and discovered the "center of the world" was in the wrong place. To the left is the original monument, and to the right is the new monument dedicated to the actual site. No doubt the gift shop owners were upset - until they figured out that now they have two chances to claim some tourist dollars!

 

 

The new site showcased some interesting history.  For instance, the indigenous Ecuadorians mastered the art of the shrunken head.  Here's a diorama showing the process.  They would capture their enemy and then wear his shrunken head around their neck as a warning to others.  Some of you are probably thinking you could have used this process for an ex-boyfriend/girlfriend or two ...



Here is one of the indigenous people in his habitat.  That cup covering his genitals isn't for modesty. It's for protection from the fish. I guess if you pee in the rivers here, there's a little fish that will swim up your uretha and then continue to grow until it shuts off your kidneys.  So don't pee in the rivers in Ecuador.  I'm thinking that adding a few of those little fish to public swimming pools may be an idea.






A couple of fun challenges at the equator were balancing an egg on the head of a nail - one of us was able to do it - and trying to walk a straight line along the equator.  It seems that once you lift your foot, your center of gravity is off to one side or the other and you are pulled off the line.  Our group spent half an hour trying to stay on the line, and then decided we would all fail the drunk test.  Here's Ken making it about a foot and a half before heading north.  I was able to make it about five feet, and then headed south.



Anyway, as tourist attractions go this was one of the most fun.  Hooray for the Canadian army!