Otavalo

My Log Fire

I am writting this in front of a lovely log fire in my lounge – but how did i get here?

Reasable start this morning to make our way over the mountains to Otavalo markets. The scale of the road works required to build 6 lane highways over these mountains has to be seen to be believed. We drop thousands of metres down one side to go back up the other side. I think the lowest point was about 2000 mtrs and the highest just under 4000. Where i am now is approx 2800 mtrs.

There are two markets in Otavalo – the first one we visited was for the locals and was fruit and vegetables.  Inside there were some more stalls selling pork (and i mean whole pigs already cooked)  they would carve off how ever much you wanted. Chicken ( pollo) is very popular here, as in Peru. I was interest in how many of the veggies were the same as we use back home – very much cheaper here – i bought 5 avocados for US 1.00. They are great and should last me a couple of days.

We are advised not to eat any fruit that you do not peel the skin off. You do not drink any tap water -even in the hotels.

Second market is to rip off the tourists with cheap stuff. It is big but not many tourists at this time and i stand out like a “you know what”   i kept my money in my pocket.

After a nice salad for lunch – off we went to the lake and some mountain climbing in the van.

I did do some walking besides the markets. We headed to a small town that was famous for their weaving and the town was having a party in front of the church. We sat down and enjoyed the fun. They even had sack races for the kids. Lots of fun.

Just a short drive from there and we were walking again to visit a waterfall. Now i forgot to say today is Sunday and all the local people dress in their best – all the local women had the same white tops on with black skirt like  dresses. And the men all in white. Very smart. Well after church and what ever else they did – they all went walking to the waterfall. About 45 minute walk. Nice sized fall but from the river formed – they had a  drain to take the water in another way to help water the crops.

Continued up and up from there to get a great high view of the lake and a lone tree on the top of the hill. The track was not suitable for our van – but we made it. From there home james and we arrived at las palmeras inn. Each room is a stand alone cabin but built of bricks with log/wooden roof. One bedroom bathroom and nice lounge with two cane chairs each side of a fireplace. When i returned back from dinner – the fire was going and the cabin nice and warm.

Remember we are in the mountains – very warm in the day and cold at night.

Tomorrow is a visit to the town that makes leather goods and then on to a national park opp the Cotopaxi mountain that is currently smoking. I have seen it between clouds and the whole top is black.

Ps guess what one of Ecuadors main exports is?

Did you guess long stemed roses? We passed hundreds of plastic glass houses all growing roses to export around the world . Why long stem Roses – because the sun is directly overhead – so all flowers grow straight up.

My fire is dieing down so it must be time for bed.

Chau