Mitad del Mundo

The equator line runs right through Quito, so naturally this is a huge tourist attraction.

Here is the "first" equator line, discovered and mapped by the French back in the 1700's or something like that. This is the more historical area.
 
 
Along with GPS technology came another, more exact equator line about 200 meters away. Of course, this is yet another tourist attraction.
 
This is a sun clock, but as it is sitting exactly on the equator, it is the only one of it's kind that can be vertical rather than horizontal. This may be interesting to any math freaks but probably no one else...
 

Hats at the Otavalo Market

 
 
 

Cotopaxi Glacier

Although I didn't hike up to the summit of Cotopaxi, I did take a mini version just up to the tip of the glacier.
 
 
 
 

Waterfall Hike

 
 

Secret Garden Cotopaxi

I headed out of town to an amazing hostel in the middle of no where but right near Cotopaxi, a HUGE volcano very popular to climb. This was our view of it from the back porch.
 
 

Quito old town

 
 
 
 

Teleférico

For even more good views of Quito, I went up the Teleférico where you can see ALL of the huge city.
 
 

Views of Quito

I made it up to the capital of Ecuador, Quito, and was rewarded with these amazing views from my hostel's roof top terrace.
 
 

Baños

My next stop in Ecuador was Baños, a cute little town set in a valley with a pretty cathedral. One interesting thing about the place is that it is famous for it's taffy. Although I didn't think it tasted very good, it was interesting to see it being made by hand (last pic below). The guys would have it hanging on the wall and then just stretch and stretch it out.
 
 
 

Art in Cuenca

I visited the Museum of Modern Art in Cuenca and was pleasantly surprised by how interesting it was. These are my photos of some drawings of creatures in the Galapagos Islands. Made me so jealous that I'm not going there on this trip!!
 
 
 
 

Horseback Riding

I took a horseback riding trip up into the hills/mountains around Vilcabamba. Although my legs were incredibly sore afterwards, it was totally worth it. The views were great and I really enjoyed riding a horse for the first time in a looooong time!

Going back down the tiny narrow path with a nice little view.

My well behaved horse, Shima.

Stop at a waterfall for lunch.

A crazy little dog that followed us ALL DAY.

Izhcayluma Loop

I set out for a hike around Vilcabamba along with a few girls from my hostel. We were told that it would take us 5 hours, and that was no joke. It definitely did, but it was beautiful scenery.

Interesting bug we passed along the way.

More great views.