Blogs from Otavalo, North, Ecuador, South America - page 24

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South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo January 2nd 2007

The flight to Quito yielded no suprises, which is the best way for a flight to pass. The only problem was that I had planned on being picked up by a representative from the hostel, but nobody showed up. Fortunately that was a contingency I was prepared for and a quick taxi ride got me where I needed to be. After a solid night´s sleep, I found myself anxiously waiting the arrival of a representatvie of Cielo Azul. To my relief Santiago showed up on time, and I soon found myself on a bus ride through picturesque mountains, covered in a lush greenery, as we made our way to Otavalo. About two hours later, arrived and was taken to my home for the next two to three weeks. I´m living with a nice family while I ... read more

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo December 10th 2006

The artisans of Otavalo are the only Ecuadorian indigenous people who are self sufficient economically due to their unique crafts making skills. The Poncho Plaza Craft Market sells almost every craft item in Ecuador, great place to pickup some gifts. To give u some idea of the economy and people action, we had to leave at 1am, because locals were going to block roads from early morning in protest against the local gas prices.... read more
The Gang
The Gang
Inside Foomar

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo December 9th 2006

Hello amigos ee Familia We arrived in Otavalo three days ago and headed for Peguche the Weaving village where we are staying in a hostal called AyaHuma(ayauma.com). It is a very comfortable place to stay right in the centre of Peguche just off an old abandoned railway. All around you can hear the sounds of weaving looms eminating from rundown buildings, we have seen a few of these looms in operation and they are huge and noisy probably dating back 50 years. They seem to start around 5 am in the morning. Peguche is very successful and the main producers of Ecuadorian woven cloth and fabrics. They use mainly alpaca wool very soft and sheeps wool, the natural pigments they use are very colourful. Otovalo is a major market town in Ecuador and trades in textiles ... read more
Volcano
Market
women grinding corn

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo November 25th 2006

Not your typical thanksgiving I’m back in Otavalo, Ecuador putting some finishing touches on the website I’m making for kurypachamama. My original plan was to attend a potluck dinner at the South American explorers club but it got cancelled, probably due to the lack of kitchens in Quito hostels. I had to resort to plan B and stay in Otavalo for turkey day, which turned out to be a hell of a time. The family I’m staying with was throwing a graduation bash for their son who just graduated from college, so although I didn’t get to eat turkey I still had a big meal. The party started around 7:00 with a bunch of family and friends arriving periodically and joining us at the long table. The first plate at every meal in Ecuador is soup ... read more
Aprendiendo
damn bottle
salud

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo November 4th 2006

we are now in Otavalo, which is famous for its massive saturday market, and attracts alot of tourists to one of the market squares, where they sell crafts. we spent the night in another great hostel, but i forget the name. this morning we walked the circumfrence of the city, which only took a couple hours, but took us through all the poorer, more interesting places, where there is an abundance of beautiful ratty otavalan kids who run as freely as the wild dogs, which there are also very many of. for lunch we went to a local joint, whith the menu spraypainted outside on the wall (we try and eat at local places because they are more interesting and much cheaper). we ordered almuerzo, which means lunch, but is code name for the only meal ... read more
otavalan
otavalan
otavalo

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo October 25th 2006

Detour in Ecuador After crossing the border from Peru I took a detour in Ecudaor Changed some money, Saw the road sign and thought, "Why not? I will not be here again." Then slipped off the highway. Prior to my diversion I sought the usual, useless assurances And asked a man pushing an ice-cream cart whether the quieter road was also paved. "Todo es aspahalto" he cheerfully confirmed. And unusually it was, but it twisted, writhed and squirmed. I rode through beautiful fertile valleys Punctuated by sleepy restrained villages. Far more timid than their brasher Peruvian cousins, With inappropriate spikey names like James Bond villains; Sozoranga, Cariamanga, Gonzanama. Mr Malloch, we do not expect you to talk. We expect you to climb. Although each day I did not travel as far as I had hoped, It ... read more
Lucho
Alejandro
Me and Wilfron

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo October 8th 2006

Maria Jose, Miriam, Giovana and myself, decided to go to Otavalo and Peguche. (Small towns like 2-3 hours from Quito). Honestly, I wanted to do some serious shopping in Otavalo, because it is known all around the world for the its Indian Market. Its huge. With all sorts of goodies, but you can get the same shit in Quito for cheaper. There are a lot of Indigenous people in Otavalo, and I swear to god, from what ive seen, they live like it was a hundred years ago or something. Its amazing to see. Anywho we went to Peguche first, its a small town a little further away from Otavalo. It has a beautiful Waterfall, some Indigenous people think it cleanse you of bad vibes and spirits if you go swimming in it. So its pretty ... read more
Gorgeous view
Rosi
Giovana

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo September 10th 2006

So last week I ended my work on the farm. I loved it there but needed a change of pace and some new scenery. I headed towards otavalo, famous for their indigenous markets and worldfamous weaving techniques, with hopes of meeting up w/ some my my CA buddies. Hopped on the bus at around 3, checked into my hostal at 6ish and started to walk through the city for something to eat. As i was walking I ran into my buddies at a hostal around the corner. They were meeting up w/ a family who lives a few miles outside of town. After about 20 minutes I was riding in a pickup truck ready to check out of my hostal. Carlos, a Quecha indian had invited me to join the other two guys to stay at ... read more
Rooftop
Crazy Fruit
Grubbin'

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo September 4th 2006

gonna make this a quick hello and let everyone know ive never been better. spent the last few days in otavalo and met some of the most incredible people i´ve known. have a great volunteer position lined up with them and it could be something really special. i´ll keep u guessing what it is until i get back from the 4 day white water kayaking course i´m starting tomorrow in the jungle...hopefully i´ll have enough time to write before i head towards peru to do the river race. hope all is well with everyone and you´re all catching a vibe like the one i´m riding right now, talk soon...love ive... read more

South America » Ecuador » North » Otavalo August 31st 2006

El Mercado Hola mis amores!! Again, this will probably be pretty short, but I figure as long as I get something down I won´t forget anything we´ve done so far. And this two or three minutes on the internet is valuable :) So dinner last night was amazing! And Uncle Tom, you´ll be so proud of me. We ordered a bottle of wine to go with it and I advised the group which color would be best with the food we were eating and it was amazing...I take after my godfather I guess ;) Anyways, we got up bright and early today to head to the Panaderia and then the market. Let´s just say I know how to bargain now thanks to that market, so now it´s my mom´s turn to be proud. I even bargained ... read more




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