As I traveled to Ibarra, the first city in Ecuador, I noticed some shaking of my GS when I applied brakes. I spent the night in Ibarra. The next morning I checked out the GS to try and figure out the reason for the shaking. I discovered that the trailing arm ball joint was loose. Off I went searching for a repair shop that could help me resolve the problem.
I located an auto repair shop that worked on European cars. I walked in, explained to them that I needed to tighten the nut that held the ball joint in place on my GS. They got the right size wrenches out and we took off the ball, inspected it and reinstalled it – making sure that it was real tight. After all that work they did not charge me! I can guarantee you that this would not occur in the States. They were very nice people.
After repairing the GS, I headed to Quito and the Center of Planet Earth. I saw several markers along the way. Some markers were simple signs; others were globes indicating your location. I arrived at the Mitad Del Mundo” (Middle of the World) monument. According to my GPS the monument is a bit off the true mark. Therefore I rode down the road until my GPS read N 00.00.000 and if I moved just a few inches south it would read S 00.00.000 indicating that I was now in the southern hemisphere.
I spent some time taking photos of the area, and then I was off to the Capitol of Ecuador – the City of Quito. The roads in Ecuador are great – a paradise for motorcyclists. Great vistas, snow capped volcanoes, etc.
In Quito I meet up with some friends that showed me around the city. They also provided me with the area history and other local information.
This is Freddy and son who showed me the way to the hostel where I was going to stay.
Juan Carlos and his wife Veronica (below) showed me the city and surrounding areas.
