Made in 1943 during WWII, “Down Where North Begins” was one of many films made by the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs to encourage unity and cooperation among Latin countries and the United States. The film includes an overview of the geographic, economic, and social aspects of Ecuador: mountains, jungles, Riobamba, and Quito; farms, Indian handicrafts, volcanoes; pre-Inca and Inca ruins.
This story is about Ecuador. Ecuador is the only country whose name means the Equator and at mark 1:15, is a monument to equator. Only 2oS of the equator is Guayaquil big port and industrial center. In 1930, Guayaquil finally shook off his problem of yellow fever. Several times the city has been devastated with hard times, civil wars, earthquakes and pirates but still has great charm after all its been here for about 400 years as seen at mark 1:55.
At mark 2:10 is a train off to Quito an 18 hrs journey. At mark 2:20 are signs painted on rocks. At mark 2:40 is Riobamba, a welcome stop for fresh air, leg stretching, something to drink and eat. The last path on the trip is seen at mark3:04, is along the famous volcanoes and rocky mountains which are more than 15,000ft high all covered up with snow. Chimborazo 20,700ft high is Ecuador highest mountain and is seen at mark3:20. The Indians live below the slow line in this region as seen at mark 3:35. Quito is seen at mark3:50. It is only 20 miles south of the equator. It is founded by the Spanish conquerors in 1534 as seen at mark 4:00. The history of Columbian and Quito, their colonization is talked about from mark4:20. They have been an independent nation since 1830. At mark 4:50 is the Cago doris; a general trucking business by Indians here in Quito is seen. Both men and women have developed both shoulders and backs which enable them to carry amazing loads. Their churches are seen and the oldest chapel La Compania at mark 5:25. The church of San Francisco is seen at mark 5:50, another 16th century church. The monastery garden of San Francisco is seen at mark 6:10. At mark6:30 is the Imabora in the northern part of the country across the equator. The Imabora Indians live here just like their ancestors did before the Europeans came. At mark 7:00 is the Imabora valley. It consists of many mountains.
Otavalo is seen at mark7:43. It’s a town built around 400yrs and destroyed by the volcano and earthquake but which are now dormant. At mark 8:40 is the market place of Otavalo. Many are here to buy various things from all towns around. Trading begins in daylight and here prices of good are relatively low like Quito, hence Ecuadorian have low cost of living as seen at mark 9:45. At mark 10:10, a religious ceremony is seen. At mark11:00, are the Imbabura. They believe volcanoes gave rise to their ancestors. They are highly skilled with wools and fabrics and also farming as seen at mark11:25. At mark 11:40, is a family who weaves fabrics. As seen at mark12:30, they make their dyes. They use the red and blue dye with the wools. The weavings are sold out every Saturday in the Otavalo market. At mark 13:40she is done with her weaving. Ecuador’s climate, vegetation and river are mentioned at mark 14:00. The Pastasa River is seen at mark14:20. At mark14:50 is the St Martin bridge; the bridge of San Francisco also seen at mark15:10. The custom here before crossing is to pick up a small stone and then place it in a small shrine on the other side for a safe crossing. At mark15:45, is a little Ecuadorian village of Banos. Banos have abundant of water and mountain streams are many as seen at mark16:20and baths as seen at mark 16:35.Baños is the last outpost for civilization as seen at mark 17:08. The rivers here flow into the Atlantic. At mark 17:50, here’s how they make their crosses. The eastern part of the Ecuador, the Oriente begins at the Pastaza valley as seen at mark18:15. Beyond here is a vast jungle. Plenty of Monkeys are seen. Mononigro manisitro is also seen here. Different creatures are seen here in the jungle, also the smallest of all monkeys, Mono titi at mark 19:40. At mark 20:00 we have the mountains in Ecuador, CotoPaxi about 18,000ft is seen at mark 20:05. Chimborazo, Sangay and many volcanoes are also seen as seen at mark 21:20.
