These 'cowboy' leg pieces are made from sheepskin and worn by all the men and boys during a week long carnival later in the year. They are made locally in a couple of shops which make only these.

Rainy days in the northern highland town of Otavalo

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April 25th 2011
Our next destination was the highland town of Otavalo, 2550 meters above sea level, and two hours north of Quito. The town is known for it’s huge Saturday market (which we weren’t going to be there for) - a mainly tourist affair where traditionally dressed indigenous people sell their handicrafts. Otavalo is very prosperous as the indigenous population sell their woven products world wide. We ... read more

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo

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The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others are Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A b... ... read more