Serenity at the Basilica of the National Vow
Among several stops at churches today in Quito was the Basilica of the National Vow. My guide, Andres, tells me Ecuador is a very religious nation, and from what I’ve seen so far, I believe it. While in the Basilica, I shot this image of a door with a stained glass window high above. I felt a deep sense of serenity in the sanctuary. Interestingly, the building is not complete. Some locals believe that if the basilica is ever finished, it will usher in the end of the world. What do you think?
Welcome to the Andes
This morning my incredible Ecuadoran guide, Andres, drove me around Quito to show me the sights. Our first stop, the Guapulo Overlook, gave me a peek at the terrain here in the Andes. As you can see, it’s pretty much straight up and down.
Wikipedia has a great article about the Andes, and it merits a close read. Among my favorite factoids?
*It’s the longest continental mountain range on Earth.
*Peaks on its northern end are actually under water
*The range includes a “Northern Volcanic Zone,” which just happens to be where I’m typing from at this very moment. Hmm.
Where the hecuador is Ecuador, anyway?
If you believe everything south of San Diego, Calif., is Mexico or so Mexico-like it may as well be Mexico, you’ve got some learning to do. There’s a whole other continent down here, and Ecuador, home to the Huairasinchi 2010 adventure race, is but one of 13 proud nations that call the landmass home.
You can learn a lot more about Ecuador by clicking here. Oh wait, that one’s in Spanish, hold on…for English, try this instead. Happy learning!
Let’s talk about that Equatorial Bulge, shall we?
There’s a little excitement among peak baggers whether Ecuador’s Mt.Chimborazo is higher than Asia’s Mt. Everest.
The easiest way to explain this is to take a look at the math. No, wait, that’s kinda complicated… so let’s say this. Earth isn’t a perfect sphere. It’s more like a tomato.
If I were at the center of the earth, you were on top of Mt. Everest, and your friend were on top of Chimborazo, your friend would be farther away from me than you. All because of the Equatorial Bulge.
So long, Sucres! Bring on the Benjamins!
Covering adventure races all over the world is a blast, and I usually like to spend a little bit of money on gifts to take back home to my girls. They miss me when I’m gone, ya know?
In Mexico, it was pesos. France liked the euro. In Abu Dhabi, the dinar. So what’s Ecuador got? Pesos? Nope. Dollars. United States dollars. So I guess I’m all set!
Ecuador didn’t always piggyback on the greenback. Prior to 2000, it used the sucre. I’m eager to see what awesome Andes finds are available in the north of Ecuador near Ibarra. Looks like the world-famous market at Otavalo will be nearby. That would be great to see.
What’s a “Why-d’rah-SEEN-she?”
What indeed. When I cover an adventure race, I can usually pronounce the name of the event. But with the AR World Series qualifier coming up this weekend in Ecuador, I’m gonna have to practice.
Huairasinchi 2010 is the official name of the race, now in its seventh year. This edition begins Feb. 13 in the high sierra town of Ibarra, Ecuador. Where we go after that has not been revealed, but I have some ideas. Billed as “The Highest Adventure Race in the World,” I predict we’ll be above Ibarra, along the slopes of a collection of volcanoes in the area.
I’ll be posting updates from the race when I have Internet access, which I’m told will be every night.