Advertisement
Published: July 25th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Cotacachi View
Cotacachi's in a mystical, magical valley. I'm afraid that we're going to fall in love with every place we visit in Ecuador. It's already happened in Cotacachi, a village of 7,500 lovely indigenous people and about 40 gringos who live scattered around the valley and mountainsides.
It's said the valley was formed when two of the surrounding volcanoes made love. I think the third volcano was involved as a mistress, tch tch.
Weather-wise, it's springtime year-round here at 8,000-feet, with a light jacket or sweatshirt often advisable. People-wise, just have a friendly smile and open heart. The Ecuadorian people have a real sweetness and dignity about them. The children seem happy and well-adjusted. There are lots of indigenous people dressed in their lovely lacy blouses and long skirts.
Lots of surprises here, too. We arrived in time for the Festival of Santa Anita, the patron saint of Cotacachi. For the last three nights there has been music and dancing in the streets preceding the parading of Santa Anita and Mass. We wanted to join in the dancing it looked like so much fun!
Here it is, in Jack's words:
"Accompanied by salsa musica blasting from huge speakers mounted in the back of
Popcorn, But No Movies
No tortilla chips here. Most restaurants give you popcorn with HOT salsa, fried bananas and hot corn nuts as gratis appetizers when you sit down. a pickup truck, her way cleared of evil spirits scutting away in fear of the firework explosions, Santa Anita made her way carefully past the central square and up the steep stone steps to take her place adjacent to her other manifestation on the gilded altar of the church. Thus began the evening celebration of the seventh day of the twelve day celebration of Santa Anita, patron saint of the canton of Cotacochi, Ecuador. The faithful filed into the church behind the revered Santa awaiting the appearance of Vicario Foraneo and the conduct of the mass destined to extol the virtues and power of the saint as represented by the five foot tall wooden doll."
Cotacachi is famous for its leather, much as nearby Otavalo (population 50,000) is known for its wool products and incredible marketplace. Tourists from all over the world flock to Otavalo for incredible deals on beautiful Ecuadorian products. Cotacachi's main street is called "Leather Street" and has endless stores of beautiful leather jackets, boots, and bags. The two towns make for a shopper's paradisio.
We're staying at El Meson de Flores right near the main plaza. Great location and charming, but more
JUGOS!
Delicious juice at every meal. This one is blackberry. than we wanted to pay. We decided to splurge because we thought this might be the best place to connect with other gringos and learn about life here. Mission accomplished since we've met several expats who have been generous with insights and information, including two of "International Living's" stars who just bought a condo here with lovely views. Great people, too.
In fact, we've met a number of terrific expats here who are beautiful in spirit and energy and who are connecting with and learning from the local indigenous people as well. "Green" living, sustainable building and intentional communities also seem to be growing movements in Ecuador. What do you expect from a country who just declared at the voting booth that Mother Nature has rights, too!
But back to the practical for trip planners, we discovered an absolutely beautiful new hostal near here run by a lovely Ecuadorian family with no English. Hostal Arbolito is off the Plaza by Iglesia San Francisco. It's $30 a night for two, but no breakfast, and no internet. Breakfast around town is cheap, so that's not a big deal, but no internet may be a deal breaker for some of
More Dancing!
Wouldn't the world be a better place if we all danced in the streets every night? us. There's also a hostal named Tia Mia (I think) that someone mentioned last night as a good place to stay; basic, but clean, for only $7-9 pp per night. There's several others as well.
If you're interested in updates about Ecuador with some really solid information, check out www.garyscott.com and subscribe to his free daily newsletter.
We HIRED a realtor today who showed us a couple of properties. They do it a little differently in Ecuador and CHARGE the potential clients for their time. We paid $6 an hour for the taxi and $15 an hour for the realtor's time. In Cuenca, realtors charge $45 an hour we hear! (Money is refunded if you actually buy something). Cuts down on the lookie-loos, but I hope the idea doesn't catch on in the States!
Tonight, we went to "Gringo Night" at a huge local hotel owned by two sweet Ecuadorians in their 70s. There were probably about 16 gringos there comparing notes and swapping information. We're told there's only about 40 gringos in the whole area, which is good news for some of you!
Cotacachi is a squeaky clean town. The current
mayor made it a big project. There's a push for sustainable and green living, too.
Magical things happen in this valley! As one expat indicated, since we are literally at the center of the earth and surrounded by volcanoes, there has to be some amazing energy here. The volcanoes are said to create a "power center."
I think all of Ecuador is a power center!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.118s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 8; qc: 49; dbt: 0.0524s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
KatieJack
Katie & Jack in Ecuador
I remember Cotacachi!
Popcorn with no movies...who woulda thunk it. Thanks for reading. We will continue to scout for your trip! Have fun in Canada! katie