Quito is at 2,800 meters above sea level and it's not uncommon to feel short of breath or have a mild headache when you first arrive. Luckily, Ecuador has a cure.
Quito, Ecuador —
Quito is at 2,800 meters above sea level and it's not uncommon to feel short of breath or have a mild headache when you first arrive. Luckily, Ecuador has a cure.
Kate Whitehead/CNN
Coca leaves -- sold in small neighborhood stalls -- are a quick fix for altitude sickness. The idea is to suck up the juice by putting the leaves between your cheek and gums.
Highs and lows —
Coca leaves -- sold in small neighborhood stalls -- are a quick fix for altitude sickness. The idea is to suck up the juice by putting the leaves between your cheek and gums.
Kate Whitehead/CNN
The Tungurahua volcano erupted recently in 2014. Just south of Quito,it's been one of the most active volcanoes on the planet for the last few years.
Highest density of volcanoes —
The Tungurahua volcano erupted recently in 2014. Just south of Quito,it's been one of the most active volcanoes on the planet for the last few years.
DANIEL TAPIA/AFP/Getty Images
Being whacked with stinging nettles is a traditional detox therapy in Ecuador. Herbalists also peddle a range of love portions, most targeted at men, that promise to make them irresistible.
Alternative herbalists —
Being whacked with stinging nettles is a traditional detox therapy in Ecuador. Herbalists also peddle a range of love portions, most targeted at men, that promise to make them irresistible.
Kate Whitehead/CNN
Sorry, lady. You might as well be standing on street marking. This bold yellow line supposedly marks zero degrees latitude, but is actually 240 meters off.
Lost in the middle —
Sorry, lady. You might as well be standing on street marking. This bold yellow line supposedly marks zero degrees latitude, but is actually 240 meters off.
RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/Getty Images
A new tourist site has been created, this one with a red line that marks the planet's division and a sign that proudly declares: "Latitude: 00º 00' 00" calculated with G.P.S.
Real middle —
A new tourist site has been created, this one with a red line that marks the planet's division and a sign that proudly declares: "Latitude: 00º 00' 00" calculated with G.P.S.
Kate Whitehead/CNN
Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of fine cacao beans. The country produces some of the best chocolate ingredients due to the favorable terroir -- rich volcanic soil and equator climate.
Best beans —
Ecuador is the world's largest exporter of fine cacao beans. The country produces some of the best chocolate ingredients due to the favorable terroir -- rich volcanic soil and equator climate.
Kate Whitehead/CNN
Look away, guinea pig owners. The furry little creatures are a delicacy in Ecuador, where they're flattened and roasted whole over an open fire. They're also a eaten in Peru and Colombia.
Rosted guinea pigs are a delicacy —
Look away, guinea pig owners. The furry little creatures are a delicacy in Ecuador, where they're flattened and roasted whole over an open fire. They're also a eaten in Peru and Colombia.
CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images
It's possible to buy 25 long-stemmed red roses for $2.50. Direct from the greenhouses they sell for little as $2 for 25. Not that you can out a price on romance.
Roses are cheap —
It's possible to buy 25 long-stemmed red roses for $2.50. Direct from the greenhouses they sell for little as $2 for 25. Not that you can out a price on romance.
Kate Whitehead/CNN
They're from Ecuador. One time Ecuadorian President Eloy Alfaro made a fortune exporting them to Panama. They took their name from that country after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing one while visiting the Panama Canal.
Panama hats are not from Panama —
They're from Ecuador. One time Ecuadorian President Eloy Alfaro made a fortune exporting them to Panama. They took their name from that country after U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was photographed wearing one while visiting the Panama Canal.
RODRIGO BUENDIA/AFP/Getty Images