Blog Post #9 - Mitad and Mama's

The most surprising information I learned at Mitad del Mundo was probably how gravity will pull at you both toward the north and toward the south if you walk on the equator line. I knew that the water turns a different way depending on which side of the equator you stand on (clockwise or counter-clockwise) because I’d heard stories of people who showed videos of their toilet water flushing different ways. But I didn’t realize just how much of an effect gravity would have on your own body, specifically when walking on the equator line. Although I arrived at the equator line exercise late, while other classmates were trying their hand at the egg-balancing challenge, I decided to attempt walking on the equator line. I found it to be extremely difficult even though I have been an athlete since I can remember which, according to the tour guide, should have suggested that I would have better balance control and therefore should be able to walk the equator line without being pulled too extremely to either side of the equator. I couldn’t walk very far before I found myself nearly falling over due to the opposite directions of the different poles. This surprised me immensely.


I absolutely loved the dinner at Mama Clorinda’s. Our table tried to get authentic foods to ensure that we could have a true Ecuadorian cuisine experience. We even tried cow tongue. For me, this was a food that took me out of my comfort zone. I’ve never tried tongue before and had always been wary of it. The idea that I am eating and tasting another animal’s tongue with my own tongue is very off-putting to me, but I tried it anyway seeing as we ordered one tongue for the whole table, each person attempting at least a small piece. Although the taste was fine, the texture was nearly like wet paper dissolving. It was very soft and I didn’t like the texture. I loved all the desserts we ordered (other than the bananas, which I liked but did not love) and the appetizers. Trying the hot chocolate with cheese was definitely the highlight of our dinner at Mama Clorinda’s. Who knew such a strange combination could be so tasty?! 

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