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Published: August 1st 2006
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My Dad and I flew into Quito on the fourth and stayed there for a few days. We didn't do a whole lot, but we did go see the Virgen of Quito. It's a 40m tall silver statue of the Virgin standing on top of the world, stepping on a serpent. It's quite the sight! (Kai thank you for the recommendation!) Overall I found Quito rather overwhelming. It is a very fast, big, and loud city. And it is very hard to breath on the main streets because the diesel smell is so bad!
Without much ado in Quito we left for Otavalo. Otavalo is much smaller, more friendly and safer. Thursday we hiked to Cascada Peguche, a nearby waterfall and Friday we went to Cotacachi a small volcano. We hiked around Cuicocha (Guinea Pig Lake) which is very close to the summit of Cotacachi, and is located in a crater. The trail follows the rim of the crater so we got beautiful views all around and we saw some amazing flowers. There were so many orchids and bromeliads (spell?). I took way too many pictures... We were lucky I think to catch as many things in bloom as we
did. Its so cool to see things that we don't have in the states. It was pretty funny... the prettiest blossom looks like a penis right before it blooms... I have lots of pictures of that. heh heh. Anyway, it was a beautiful hike, and we were totally exhausted by the end of it. The altitude really makes things difficult. Any uphill at all and I was huffing and puffing and my heart would be pounding. It was nuts!
Yesterday was market day. We stuck around town for the most part and took in the sights. I bought a lot of little regalos para mis amigos, which my dad will somehow have to get back to the states. The tapestries were beautiful and so was all of the food! I saw a lot of things that my aunt, uncle and cousins brought back with them from their experience here two summers ago. That was fun to be able to recognize some things, and buy some of the same things I'm sure. (Lori, the humming bird guy was there, that makes pictures from flower petals and leaves, we bought a couple of those, even thought they were pricey). It was
Hostel Runa Pacha
These are the children and nieces of Ernesto, the guy who ran our hostel in Otavalo. They were so good to us. I miss them! fun too to chat with everyone... We asked one of the indigenous families if we could take their picture, and they said yes (the only yes I got for free) and it was great because one of the girls gave me her address so I could send her some pictures. Most everyone else seemed to loath the idea of having their picture taken. I always asked and paid 50 cents a couple of times. It was worth it...
Today we went to a confirmacion! The first night we arrived in Otavalo we were invited to go by a man named Jason from New York. He had been asked by an indigenous family if he would be their son's Godfather. He was a little distressed because his wife isn't here, and he doesn't really know anyone, but the family asked him to bring friends. So he invited us! And what an experience! It was funny because we were sort of the guests of honor, as we were the people he had invited, and we didn't even know him. Everyone was really nice, and fed us way too much food. As for drink... that was something else. The custom is that
Laguna Mojandas
We rode horses up to this spot. What a gorgeous place! you bring the drink you brought (3L bottle of soda or a bottle beer usually) around to everyone. You pour a half of a cup of cola or what not for someone, they chug it and you take the cup back, fill it half way again and offer it to the next person. Lots of sharing! =0 That took some getting used to. The same cup. For everyone. Whew. The other interesting thing was that no one was talking, or smiling, or laughing. How odd. They had huge speakers set up and dancing was just as odd. No one looked at their partner, and no one smiled. Although things lightened up a little once people started drinking more. The way they danced was interesting to. They step side to side, and thats about it. No arms, hips, shoulders, spinning, or much of anything. Just step to the left, step to the right. It was very subdued. And oddly, really hard to do for any amount of time. The repetitive motion was hard on my knees! The people I talked to said they didn't like dancing very much, and I can understand why. If I danced like that all the time, I wouldn't like dancing either. Anyway, I don't mean it to sound negative. I enjoyed myself immensely, though it was a little overwhelming. What an opportunity to see another culture. And as I said, everyone was very welcoming, warm and kind to us. I think Jason, the man who invited us, was more nervous than we were!
Besides all of that I have had the chance to get to know the family of the man who runs the hostel we are staying at. He has four kids, and a couple of nieces who come around to help out. One of his nieces is 18 and it has been great talking to her. I am inspired to learn more Spanish because it is so frustrating trying to communicate with the little I know. All of the kids took me to the park the other day, which was a lot of fun. They are all very patient with me and curious about Los Estados Unidos and English. The boys got a kick out of "Punch buggy"... and they found my laundry soap pretty funny too. Its looks bright blue or green when you pour it on clothes and they were entertained by the color change. I told them it was white under a black light and they thought that was pretty funny too. Anyway, it is wonderful to be welcomed with such sincerity to this city. Pamela (18) and Diana (15) are great and so are the three boys. I gave them some postcards from Washington (thank you Lori!) with my address and so hopefully I will hear from them. They really enjoyed looking at the pictures. Especially of the bald eagle and orca. And they were very impressed by the San Juans. (My aunt gave me a little book of pictures from Washington so I could show people where I live.) I expect I will see them all tomorrow and the next day for that matter. They help around the hostel a lot and that is where they live. We are going to be here for a few more days and I hope to have the chance to hang out with them a bit more.
Well... that turned out to be pretty long too. I hope to hear from you and I hope that the summer is treating you well!
Love,
Kara
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