Today, we went to the "clausura," a ceremony to recognize those who were graduating or being promoted to the next grade. Teachers and the year-long volunteers were also honored.
This the soccer field outside of the comeador (the dining room) which is really a multi-purpose room as it houses a kitchen, dining area, ceremonies and Mass.
Here are some students receiving their diplomas.
And some teachers doing a folk dance.
After the clausura and Mass at 12:00 pm, we ate lunch together, picked up our laundry, then took a city bus to Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world). The city bus normally drops us off right in front of Mitad, but today, it dropped us off in the pueblo of Mitad del Mundo, then the bus guy pointed in the direction of the museum. We started walking - about 1 mile, uphill, with an altitude of 9500 feet. Needless to say, I needed to rest a few times along the way.
The Mitad del Mundo museum is the touristy one. It was created by Europeans in the 1700's when they thought they found the equator - they didn't. This site is commercial and expensive, and not really on the equator. However, a several years ago, we discovered the Museo de Intiñan which is an indigenous run museum which is much more culturally sensitive. It also is the site of the "true" equator at 0'0'0'.
We had an excellent tour guide, named Diego who had a sense of humor and shared the culture with us.
Sam straddling the northern and southern hemispheres.
Diego explaining about the "penis fish." Ask your boys about this one!
Señor Jose, a weaver who works the souvenir shop.
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