Otavalo Market

Day 5:

Today we went to the world famous Otavalo Market. We took the local bus there (approximately 2 1/2 hrs north of Quito - $2 each way) and that was an experience. First, the bus drivers are dare devils. They drive across double center lines to pass around blind corners, speed, etc.. If you don´t look out the window of the driver´s view you´ll be fine. Second, the driver has a buddy on the bus who solicits people on the bus. The best way to explain it is to imagine the bus driver as the "pimp" and the other guy as his "hooker." It´s pretty funny to watch because the "hooker" is yelling out the destination we´re headed to every man, woman, and child on the street. They will stop for anyone at anytime. There are a few "official" bus stops but they will stop whenever and wherever they can pick up someone. While on the bus you´ll hear the blaring sound of salsa music. What an experience! We´re glad we did it because you can read some horror stories about safety on the local buses.

We arrived Otavalo Market @ 9 am - just in time to see the Animal Market. The animal market is where they sell pigs, cows, guinea pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, etc.. Seeing the animal market was worth risking our lives on the bus. There were several vendors selling guinea pigs (for those who don´t know that Ecuadorians eat guinea pigs). They would shove them in your face as they hold the guinea pigs by the neck. It was a trip to see and experience.

After the animal market we crusied over to the Otavalo market (only a couple blocks away). There are vendors galore. You can buy almost anything. We purchased a tapestry, our "official souvenir," while walking around amoung the sea of tourists.

We survived the bus ride home and had dinner at El Pobre Diablo for the second time (see Day 3 post).