Quito, Ecuador is one of the first UNESCO world heritage sites declared in 1978. The previous name was San Francisco de Quito and it is the highest world capital at 2850 metres (9350 feet) elevation. The equator (ecuador in Spanish) runs through the country and the weather is fairly mild due to the elevation. Temperatures average about 50 to 70 degrees year round with warm days and cool nights. The city is surrounded by the Andes mountains and includes active volcanoes.
In Ecuador, there are many US expats, the currency is US dollars and they have the same electricity outlets and voltage as North America. Even with all these US connections, I was surprised to find there are no Starbucks stores in the country! They price to avoid using pennies and often return change rounded up to avoid penny coins. Something it would be great to see the US adopt. I was surprised to learn that Panama hats are actually made in Ecuador. The confusion and name may be from a time when Columbia, Panama and Ecuador were part of Gran Columbia through the campaigns of Simon Bolivar in the 19th century.
Things I loved were seeing the fog rolling in over the mountains in the evening and retreating in the mornings. The sun was up by 6 and set by 6 in this mitad del mundo (middle of the world) city where the length of day does not vary more than 9 minutes from 12 hours of daylight throughout the year. The monument, Mitad del Mundo, built on the equator and completed in 1982 has been disputed by recent GPS calculations. The Intiñan Solar Museum about 240 metres (787 feet) north claims to be the ‘true’ equator. They are within sight of each other and both very interesting to visit.
There were often afternoon thunderstorms with thunder, lightning and big downpours which is typical close to the mountains. Fresh vegetables and fruits are available all year and the farmers come in each week to sell their crops. Housing and prices are very affordable here as well. I spent 3 weeks in Quito but there is so much more to see, Avenue of the Volcanoes with beautiful quaint mountain towns and of course the Galápagos Islands. I hope to be back one day soon!
