Quito, Ecuador to Otavalo, Ecuador - 9/8/10

These pictures are of the drive from Quito, where we flew into up to Otavalo where we spent 6 nights at the Ali Shungu Mountaintop Resort. On the drive we stopped at the equator and had our obligatory pictures with one foot in each hemisphere.

This is where we stayed in Quito the first night; at the Hostal de la Mancha. Hostals are not what most Americans think of where you bring your bed roll and just "flop". A hostal is a smaller hotel.
Here is Mike in our room getting ready to head to Otavalo.
Here is Susan picking up email before starting our day.
This is an apartment building as seen from our hostal window.
Part of Quito from the road as we head towards Otavalo.

Quito, officially known as San Francisco de Quito is the capital of Ecuador. It is the first city in the world that was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In 2008, it celebrated 30 years of being part of the list of World Heritage sites.

After La Paz in Bolivia, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world at 9,350 feet. After Guayaquil, Quito is the second most populated city in Ecuador. Quito is encircled by Andes volcanoes, nestled in the Guayllabamba river basin. The surrounding snow capped volcanoes, especially the Pichincha volcano standing tall at 15,715 feet, add a natural touch to its beauty.
Part of Quito from the road as we head towards Otavalo.
Part of Quito from the road as we head towards Otavalo. I never did find out what those green things going down the hill are for.
Houses between Quito and Guayllabamba.
Between Quito and Guayllabamba. The area is quit arid.
Between Quito and Guayllabamba. The area is quite arid.
This is the Pan American Highway. The Pan American Highway runs from Anchorage, Alaska to the tip of South America. I don't know about other areas but here the highway was only two lanes.
Between Guayllabamba and Cayambe
Between Guayllabamba and Cayambe
Between Guayllabamba and Cayambe
Between Guayllabamba and Cayambe
Between Guayllabamba and Cayambe
This is a marker at the equator in Cayambe
Mike straddling the equator in Cayambe.
Susan straddling the equator in Cayambe.
Susan with our driver, Fabian, in Cayambe.
This is one of the markers of the equator in Cayambe.
A closeup of the globe marking the equator in Cayambe.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Between Cayambe and Otavalo. The countryside is much greener now.
Lago San Pablo is the largest lake in Imbabura Province
Coming into Otavalo.