Mitad del Mundo, the Middle of the Earth, is the location for an interesting complex of displays and museums showing information about the equator, measurements of the Earth made from there and how these were done.
However probably the most interesting part of this visit was finding that, just like on a globe's equator, there is a yellow line on the Earth's equator!!
The centerpiece of the facility had to be the museum, a somewhat pyramid-shaped obelisk with a 5-ton globe of the Earth on the top. A tour started with an elevator ride to the observation deck where one could look toward the four cardinal points. The stairs down then led through several levels of displays showing cultural exhibits highlighting the various peoples and the diversity of cultures in Ecuador.
This was a neat experience as Graciela's parents, Luis and Marta, spoke very little English. We all had a great time not just on this day, but throughout our stay, in learning how to communicate with our limited Spanish and our hosts limited English.
The museum was about a 45 minute drive from Graciela's home. We had planned on spending the day there, partly so I could measure the angle of the Sun, however we were also on a different time-keeping system - 'Ecuador time'. Things move a little slower than we were used to and so we had a late start that morning and then had to rush home for the big dinner at 1:30 p.m. (It is the tradition for the large meal of the day to be eaten in the early afternoon rather than during the evening).
However the Sun angle did get measured as Sue and Cati, Graciela's older sister, held the string and protractor.