As our trip to Quito, Ecuador comes to an end there were a couple of things that we must do before leaving. This morning at 9am we had a reservation for the Tour Mitad del Mundo (aka Middle of the World Tour) on a Quito double decker tour bus. We were to meet up in the Carolina Park area about 15 minutes before. Because Carolina Park is close enough to us we were able to just walk there vs taking the bus. Although we already purchased tickets we arrived to a line at the registration booth (which yo need to visit before getting on the bus to get wristbands and information). The tour guide Adrian informed that they would wait until we were done.

The only place to sit on the bus was up top so we grabbed some seats that were uncovered (as the roof was pulled forward on the bus to leave most seating with no top). The bus took off and we were able to see some different parts of the city while going through different neighborhoods. Adrian did a great job giving some facts both in Spanish and English for the people onboard. Some of the things he mentioned were:
• Quito is the highest capital in the world being 2,800 meters above sea level
• Quito recieves 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night
• Ecuador has the most concentrated biodiversity per square kilometers
• To avoid paying taxes on homes, people gradually construct their homes as their family gets bigger

It would take about an hour to and hour and fifteen minutes to get to where we were going as their was another stop before to a museum so we sat and enjoyed the ride and views. We arrived to our destination right at about 10am giving us about 2½ hours there before we needed to be back where the bus dropped us off for pickup at 12:30pm-12:45pm. We were shown the actual marking at the top of the mountain on the opposite side for the equator line.

At Mitad del Mundo there was quite a bit to get into and the photo opportunities were everywhere you turned around. Of course the main attraction is the big equator statue that’s in alignment with the actual marking, showcasing all four sides, north, east, south and west. We spent the majority of our time walking around and taking pictures. Of course we got all four sides and were even able to go inside and up (all the way up, we were under the ball at the top) and up there was a viewpoint of the area and neighborhood below from all sides. We took a moment to take it all in.

Back downstairs were more photo opportunities like posing for a magazine cover, browsing the souvenir store and getting a Mitad del Mundo passport stamp which we both got (my mom was really excited about this). We browsed some other souvenir stores in the area to get the last few things that we needed (I ended up getting  another handpainted mug and my mom finally found her bookmarks so she bought those). As far as souvenirs are concerned we’re both done.

Earlier upon arrival a woman from a restaurant onsite approached us about a lunch special and so since we had time decided to check it out. We got quite a big lunch (soup, salad, rice, lentils, chicken, lemonade and ice cream) for only $5 each (I am definitely going to miss these big meal portions and cheap/affordable food). I’ve come to the conclusion that the food here is so cheap because they’re able to grow so much of it due to the volcanic soil and temperature all year round that there’s an abundance of some things. And for $5 the meal did what it was supposed to do (make us full).

It was now time to head to our pickup point for the bus to take us back to La Carolina park. From there we walked to the meeting point for our next tour Quito Cable Car on Pinchincha Volcano. As we were walking up to the meeting spot I saw a guy and he called my name…this was Andres and he would be our guide for the cable cars today. We hoped in his car and he drove us to the destination (which wasn’t far). We introduced ourselves and he told us what we could expect from the activity. Before we knew it we were there.

The area wasn’t too crowded and no more than 6 people are allowed to get in the cable car. Andres got our tickets for us and we then got in line for the cable car. We were joined by another group of three and then the six of us began descending up. I wasn’t sure how I’d do, I don’t have a fear of heights but I do have a fear of falling but I was ok. Looking down as we continued to go up didn’t phase me. The ride takes about 18 minutes and what a view you get as you go up. It’s really something to see how high you are once you get to the top, but it’s beautiful.

Today has been the hottest day since we’d been here but up on Pinchincha you got more of a breeze. Once we got off the cable car there was a cafe and an opportunity to hike up to higher points. My mom opted out of the hike and sat in the cafe and Andres and I went up a little further but not at the peak (because that was too far up for today). At the next viewpoint were swings for a photo op overlooking the city below and information on volcanos and the point in which we were at currently (there was also a dog park near the cafe). We spent a few minutes up there (I had to catch my breath from the hike and higher altitude, but was ok) and then went back down to the cafe. We took photos outside of the cafe to get some stunning views of the city on the volcano. Once done we headed back down via the cable car.

Andres was nice enough to drop us back off at our Airbnb and once inside we took a moment to rest. Apparently the guy from our canceled cooking class contacted me and said he had space tomorrow morning and wanted to know if we were interested. I asked my mom and she said if he’s willing to pick us up and drop us off here at the Airbnb then alright; he agreed to that so the cooking class is back on. Thankfully it’s in the morning (8:30am) and it’s only suppossed to be about 4 hours so we should be done by 12:30pm-1pm which still leaves us with a good portion of the day seeing as though Saturday (tomorrow) was supposed to be our free/do nothing day before we have to head home.

We had a taste for some fish for dinner so I searched Google Maps around the neighborhood to see who had good reviews. I came across this restaurant called the Magic Bean up near the mall so we decided to walk there. To our surprise when we got there it was closed and I was upset because online it specifically said they were open (plus in my head I knew what I was going to get after scanning their online menu there). Now where were we going to eat? After checking nearly every restaurant that was open on the block they all had beef that they specialized in. As far as fish was concerned we were told to check the mall Quicentro.

Honestly since we went the first time I wasn’t a fan of Quicentro’s food court but we decided to check it out again. To regain some energy we popped in KFC and got one of their snack meals to share since KFC is really popular here (it doesn’t taste any different). After eating that we browsed the food court, found some food, got it and took it back to the Airbnb. We ate and watched some tv then we both had to lay down. I remember my mom coming in and talking to me at one point but I went back to sleep. I woke up around 1:30am to sounds of a party nearby and the outside cars. That’s why now at 3am I’m just finishing my write-up and will hopefully be able to go back to sleep around 4am. Afterall we only have about 24 hours left here before we make the journey home