Otavalo Market

After a ridiculously long, 40 hour bus ride from Lima to Quito we are finally in Ecuador! After recovering from this horrific journey (complete with gentlemen not making the loo in time) in Quito for a few days we went to Otavalo in time for their Saturday market.

On a Saturday there is an Animal Market and an Artesian Market. We went first to the Animal Market which is frequented by all the countryside small farmers to buy and sell their stock. It was amazing! I'm not quite sure how animal rights activists would feel but personally it was brilliant fun. All the locals come in traditional dress; a long skirt, blouse and colourful sash for women and a ponytail and dapper hat for men. Then they bring their pigs on leads, which scream like girls by the way, their chickens in baskets and their guinea pigs in sacks. I shrieked at the beginning as I was very unsure as to why sacks should be wriggling away on the floor!

After the animal market we went to the Artisan market which has been slightly ruined by the crowds of day tripping tourists who are on route to the Galapagos. Unfortunately prices are quite high as these tourists don't seem to understand the concept of bartering and therefore the initial price of items is very high. Luckily we are expert barters (or rather Matt keeps his mouth shut and allows me to barter, he is no longer allowed to help as he gives up and pays asking price the moment they bring a child into the room, hmmm.) We got some cool buys but as our Bolivian purchases have their own bag we were unable to justify another bag to carry around.

Our lunch, Matt very nearly died on the spot and had to have two servings!

Traditional Panama Hats, which do not come from Panama but from Ecuador. I tried to persuade Matt he looked good in one but unfortunately he knew the truth- he looked like a moron.

On another note, we are now flying out of Buenos Aires on 21st June! We have a wonderful 3/4 day bus from Lima to Buenos to contend with but it shall all be worth it to visit our Uruguayan friends for a week before coming home!