Otavalo

As Otavalo is a fairly small town and I traveled there solo last weekend, there isn´t a whole lot of content for this post, meaning - the town itself is a bit of a snooze (other than the market) and I am a wuss when it comes to going out and meeting new people for a night of fun. I am now, however, quite comfortable dining alone. I usually pull out my guidebook or journal, just in case they couldn´t tell I am a tourist. Sorry, I am getting sidetracked. Although, there may not be a significant amount of story behind this post, it is definitely picture worthy.

I took a bus from Quito to Otavalo on Friday afternoon - my first experience with the bus system of Quito. All went really well. It is a short 2 1/2 hours and the buses, well, they sure do have personality. Mine had tassles hanging down the windows and velvety seat covers. It definitely had a little sass. The couple next to me didn´t stop making out the entire two hours. The upside - It was easy to see both he and his hands were preoccupied, so I was fairly certain the side of my bag wouldn´t be getting slashed into as I began day dreaming.

I arrived at my hostal, Ricon del Viajero, which was worth the $10/night I paid to stay there. I had my own bathroom and a double bed with a thick mattress and fluffy pillows. It was a great two nights of sleep!

After my pizza and pilsener dinner at Fontana di Trevi, I called it an early night. I had market day tomorrow at 8:00am.

I couldn´t believe my eyes, the entire plaza and every surrounding street was lined with vendors selling everything from jewelry, hand knit scarves and hats, artwork, spices, produce, grains, and more. I am an incredibly indecisive person, so making this trip solo was a smart decision on my part. I walked around the entire day, stopping and gazing at every booth, maybe even twice or three times. I purchased here and there and snapped photos of the local beauty - both the people and their craft.

Can you see why this would be overwhelming and possibly not the best place for someone with decision making problems? Where do you even start?

Every vendor had a similar set-up, just a different specialty. Oddly, I found myself spending a significant amount of time walking through the produce area of the market. Not because I wanted to buy anything, but the colors and the bulk in which the fruits and vegetables were displayed was astounding.

Whose cooking tonight? Here lies the spice needed to make any dish of any ethnicity. I loved the colors and the intensity of the smells. I caught myself sticking my nose into a few of the bags below, until I caught some odd stares from the women selling the goods.

A man selling corn and various grains.

Vegetarians beware!

Oil based and watercolor paintings are everywhere throughout the market. Local artists paint original works as well as imitating the art of Oswaldo Guayasamin, which I mentioned in an earlier post. In addition to Guayasamin, there are a couple other styles which will forever remind me of Ecuador. I can´t wait to get home and surround myself in these memories.

In addition to the produce and art, I have an obsession with the local people of Ecuador. The women of Otavalo are so ornately dressed. They all wear quite a number of gold beaded strands around their necks, a beautiful white embroidered top and a floppy hat or a folded blanket of sorts on their heads.

Much cheaper than a BabyBjorn, you see women and children carrying the little ones on their backs, wrapped tightly in a sheet.

I loved my Saturday, just wandering endlessly. It were as if time stopped. Well, until my stomach told my otherwise. After asking several Otavalians which was their favorite restaurant, I ended up at Mi Otavalito, a restaurant speacializing in traditional Ecuadorian dishes. My dinner of trout and potatoes was excellent, but the entertainment even better. I hope you enjoy the music as much as I did.

My evening was topped off with a ginormous piece of strawberry pie at a local, but well known, pie shop - Shenandoah Pie Shop. It was so good, I parked myself and my backpack on the curb Sunday morning, hoping they would open again for a send-off slice. No such luck.

Instead, I concluded the weekend with a granola and fruit breakfast at an organic cafe. My first cup of coffee since arriving in Ecuador. Please share in my excitement.

Thanks so much for following me on another one of my journeys.

Love,

Me and My Panama Hat