Category: The Equator

The Equator

A Unique Marriage Proposal Venue

Blythe and I had planned to go on our honeymoon to the Galapagos but because of the timing of the tour (Mountain Travel Sobek) at the end of December 2007 and the early part of January 2008, and the allotted vacation time at Caterpillar, we had to go on our honeymoon before we got married.  Now, I know this may sound strange and I can explain it. We were able to pull it off and still stay true to traditional marriage propriety.  But we had to make special arrangements.  

I had to scramble to get separate rooms in the hotel in Quito and separate cabins on the ship that would take us around the different islands of the Galapagos.  Fortunately, this turned out to not be difficult (just more costly).  

Our tour of the Galapagos started out with a few days in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.  One of the interesting places I wanted to visit while we were in Quito was the Equator monument just outside of town.  We hired a cab for the ride to this important marker.

First, a little bit more background about Blythe’s and my unorthodox marriage chronology.  We, of course, had the wedding all set except for the date, which was determined by events outside our control.  Up until then, I had not officially proposed to her.  I wanted to save that for Quito.  

When we got to the Equator monument, I set my camera on a tripod, set the focus, and set the shutter timer for ten seconds.  I then hurried back to Blythe who was standing just inside the Southern Hemisphere.  I knelt just inside the Northern Hemisphere, took her hand across the Equator, looked her in the eye, and asked her to marry me.  Without waiting for a reply, I then rushed back to the camera to see if the photo of this momentous event was captured to my satisfaction.  I got it perfectly on the first try.  Blythe came up to me still fidgeting with the camera.  It occurred to me that in my haste and concentration to get the photo right, I forget if she had answered me.  I asked her with just a little hesitation, “You did say yes, didn’t you?”  Fortunately, she did say yes.  Whew, she said yes!

This is the equator marker outside Quito, Ecuador. I proposed to Blythe just up from the steps in the center of the photograph. The Southern Hemisphere is on the left and the Northern Hemisphere is on the right. This photo was taken from the east looking west.
I kneel in the Northern Hemisphere and propose across the equator to Blythe standing in the Southern Hemisphere. She said yes!