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We were very pleased to receive my mom, Maggie, and Meghan’s friend, Juliana, for our first week of spring break.  We had a great time tooling around Quito, spending the night at the Pullulahua “El Crater” hotel/restaurant, going to the Mindo Cloud Forest, and north toward Otovalo and the Mojando Lakes.  We spent the night at a lovely hacienda, Casa Mojanda, which had a beautiful view overlooking Otovalo and a traditional Japanese hot tub, i.e., a large barrel.A week is a pretty short amount of time down here since there are a wide variety of mountains, waterfalls, colonial history, and even the jungle only a few hours away from Quito.  But we got a lot in during the week and I think our guests may have returned needing another vacation! 

Below are some pictures of our various “here’s and there’s” including some pictures and video of our visit to the Inti-Nan Solar Museum where you can see (over the span of about 10 feet) the effects of the Equator on water draining as well as one’s lack of strength while standing directly on the equatorial line.  It’s pretty fun to see and feel the effects firsthand.

My Mom and Maggie Over Quito at the Teleferiqo
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The Gang Straddling the Equator
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Meghan and Juliana do High Five Across Hemispheres
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My Mom Trys the Traditional Blow Gun
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Maggie Gives it a Try
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As Does Juliana....
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...And Meghan
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Maggie in Front of the Large Center of the World Monument
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At the Pullulahua Crater
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Getting Ready for Some Zip Line Fun in Mindo
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Here Comes Maggie -- Check the Video Below for More Action
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Ethan Finds a Friend at One of Mindo's Butterfly Farms
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Maggie at the Beautiful Gardens at the Arasha Resort in Mindo
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Out the Window of a Restaurant in Mindo -- Hummingbirds are Everywhere
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Getting Ready for a Spiritual Experience at the Peguche Waterfall
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The Group in the "Spray Zone" of Peguche
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Bargain Hunting at the Open Air Market in Otovalo
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Everyone Having a Great Lunch in Otovalo
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Imbabura Near Lago San Pablo -- Can You See the "Corazon" of Mountain?
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Hiking Around the Lovely Mojanda Lakes
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They are Striking and Seemingly go on Forever
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Juliana and Meghan Promoting Peace while Hiking Above Quito
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Our Last Dinner with Our Guests at the Mariscal in Quito
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Video Fun -- Click Twice to Play