Heaven, Hell, and Here

Alrighty guys, it's official that I am going to heaven! I know this because of a fateful moment spent this morning at the alter of La Iglesias de Compañia, gazing at two staircases that sat at the back of an imaginary congregation. We each had to pick a staircase, and one would lead to heaven, the other to hell. I chose the left, along with a few of my other fortunate classmates, and indeed, the left was the right choice (hahaha).

Regardless of the afterlife, Quito is absolutely beautiful. The churches are filled with gold, but I think that despite the surrounding poverty, such a paradox is both respected and expected here. I am sitting on the roof of our lovely hotel staring out at the houses that coat the hills surrounding the downtown. They look like Lego blocks and are watched over by an enormous guardian angel that sits atop the pasillo.

Taren and the fantastic photographer, Patrick on the Pasillo

We went to the equator today, so I can now officially say that I have been to the middle of the world. My peers and I were stunned when our tour guide proved to us that a toilet, if located at the very equator, would not flush in a circular motion. For all of you familiar with the Coriolis effect, this is the same reason why passing a sobriety test (by walking in a straight line) is much easier far from the equator than close to it...don't ask me the science behind that, I am just telling you what I heard.  After the tour, we all got to witness a traditional dance of the indigenous Amazonians. When the sole male dancer walked to the crowd with his hands extended, I thought he merely wanted a high five...no, not so much, he wanted two people to come and dance with him. Let us just say that Nikki and I have bright futures as indigenous dancers if nothing else works out for us.

We ate lunch at 3:00, which felt incredibly late, but is apparently incredibly common in Ecuador. We have the evening to do as we please, so I am feeling some good food and salsa dancing with my fabulous companions...so I think I will go get on that...