Otavalo

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So I had 2 full days to use around Otavalo as I'd booked 3 nights at the hostel so here's what I did:



Day one:

So this was a day of mixed emotions... A slight change of plan as Lydia got invited to go with friends up to Ibarra today & decided on that rather than lake Cuicocha. I thought it might not be the best idea to walk the lake on my own for 4hrs so decided to head to Parque Condor a centre for rescued birds instead.

I got a taxi up for $5 and entry into the park was $4.75. I walked around admiring the birds and I even got to see a Andean Condor in flight! This was definitely a highlight as they are extremely impressive birds which my camera does not do justice. I didn't stop for the bird show at 11:30 as I would have to wait another 20mins & I had already been there an hour & I had watched the condor which would have been the main interest.
I walked back to Otavalo as I now knew the way from the taxi. There may have been a shortcut but I just followed the stoned road/track all the way back into town which is about 5km & it took me an hour.



Now when I got back into town I wandered around a bit before heading back to the hostel for some more water & then I was a bit at a loss as to what to do so I headed for Plaza de los ponchos as Wednesday is the second best day to Saturday. It was certainly spectacular with all the different local goods for sale & quite interesting to see the mix of traditional items and those made for tourists. I didn't buy anything as I have no room in my pack but I could have brought lots of the items if I had!

Then it was back to the hostel which is when I kind of ended the day on a downer... I'd tried to withdraw money from 1 bank & neither of my cards would work & then I got back & there was no-one in the hostel but me .. I started to feel a bit lonely & skyped mum & dad but I feel like I may not get done what I hoped I was also worried about money.

So after my conversation I got googling and It seems the Banco de Guayquil or banco Pichincha may be my best bets at getting hold of money & I will visit those tomorrow.. I also uploaded my camera photos using my newly acquired cable - it has to be the LONGEST camera cable I've seen but it got the job done & $5 well spent.

Day 2:

After my drama-queen moment yesterday my I set out 1st thing to find Banco Pichincha ATMs & found they do let me withdraw money, there was no fee & the instructions were even in English! So my nerves were calmed massively.

I ate: A traditional breakfast in a small café at the top of plaza del ponchos $3.20 it consisted of Juice, coffee, eggs, jam, butter, cheese & lots of bread! it must have been an entire baguette toasted I should think.
I have probably broken most rules in terms of "what not to eat" published in travel guides already as I have no idea if the juice had water from the tap & the cheese looked a bit like our goats/sheep's cheese which probably means it's unpasteurised!

For dinner I went to a fast food restaurant called Caravana where I had chicken burger, chips & drink for $4.50 although more expensive than I could have got food for but I wanted to change a $20 note as that's mainly what the bank gave me & would feel bad about taking it to a local trader as they seem to struggle to change a $10 for anything under $5.

Where I went: I took a bus out to Cayambe from Otavalo terminal for 90c getting off in a side street just off the central roundabout when everyone else seemed to.
Then a taxi to Quitsato sundial for $3.50. *top tip - actually spell the place you want to go to properly it helps!* as I missed the 1st t when I wrote it down but hand gesture & "sol" got the point across!
Entry into the site costs $2/adult which includes a very informative talk in English about the origins of the monument & the surrounding archaeological sites. I was the only 1 there when I arrived so got a private talk. Then a tour of Brits turned up so I had a nice chat with a couple of them 1 was from Worcester! They thought I was brave doing this on my own (I just think I may be a bit mad! haha).

To get back to Cayambe I waved down a bus coming from Cangahua for 30c they seem to come every 10mins or so & hoped off at the central roundabout in town. You could walk the 1km to find the bus terminal in town if you wanted which I was just starting to do as the bus approached.

I had a coffee with Bizcochos (a local speciality) in Cayambe - they are a type of buttery biscuit. They served it with a type of cheese which was a bit sour for me & I admit I felt a little sick after eating 3 of the bizcocho which are about the size of a standard mars bar!

To return to Otavalo at the big roundabout (by katy café) head up the road signposted Ibarra/tulcan. There is a bus stop & I waited there for a bus to come past shouting Otavalo. I got on a red & white bus the company was Imbaburapak (?or close) both times & they were comfortable buses the trips take around 50mins/1hr depending on how many stops they make.

I also brought a souvenir from the plaza on my way to dinner as I spotted some wristbands saying Otavalo on the one stall so brought 1 for $1.



Where next? To Mindo!

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Photos

2015-09-16 16.20.46
A condor at the park

2015-09-16 17.34.01
Colourful church on the way down from parque condor

2015-09-17 18.07.44
At Quitsato sundial!

Comments

[Jess]

Otavalo
Shame you couldn't go to the lake but seems you made the most of your time there by going to the Condor park and the equator that no-one goes to! Fair play hailing the crazy buses on your own! From my experience, there weren't so many backpackers actually staying in Otavalo, most just did day trips from Quito so I'm sure when you go back there you will meet more people to share your travels! We had difficulty taking money out too-have to try a few ATM's to get some out. Hope you have fun travelling - so jealous you're just beginning your adventure! Xxx

[Jenki13]

Yeah was a shame but there's another crater lake near baños which I may try to go to... 4hr hikes aren't something I do on my own at home even. I Found a bank that works less panic now! Currently in mindo a lot more backpackers here :) not such a loner now haha