09-16-24 the Road to Otavalo
Up early to be ready to leave at 7 on the bus. All but 3 of us booked the extra excursion for the day.
It is a cooler day so far which I love. I am being drawn to the idea of being an expat
We stopped on the side of the road to try fruit that most loved. I did not. I do not love papaya, mango nor this chirimayo.
It is sweet to see Steve and Jo in their proper clothes. Their suitcases did not arrive with them and they were not aware that that could happen. They have bought souvenir t-shirts to get by to date. The cases were at the hotel when we arrived yesterday.
We went through an area that grows flowers. It is not uncommon to be able to buy 100 long stem roses for $5 US
The roses cross from one side to the other, being sorted to export and local dependent on how open they are. As roses grow toward the sun and they are growing near the equator, they can be up to 3 meters tall!
Mid morning stop for delicious coffee, bizconchos with caramel and cheese. There was a very talented musician who entertained us as well. I bought a big bag of roasted quinoa to bring home for only $3!
During our stop, Jane, from Jersey, asked me when I had lived in the states. I explained that I’d only lived in BC and she seemed surprised and said that I sounded like and my personality made me seem like one of them. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I am sure to take it as a compliment though. Santiago is from the highlands in Saraguro
Next stop was a national park with a crater lake where there was a small market. I purchased a lovely necklace and a whip for Sackboy.
Cotacachi Cayapas was fun, any time spent on the water makes my heart happy. The skipper Jose was awesome and asked for a picture with all of us. I find the temp in the high teens perfect today although others are finding it cool.
Cotacachi for lunch and shopping in the leather town
And then to Otavalo where there are many expats apparently.
After that lovely walk where I purchased a sweater that I had admired on Madhavi, we headed to a large square where there was an artisans market. I bought some gifts and some more kitchen tools and art. I am very exhausted, likely from the long day and the altitude
Cayambe Volcano, snow on the equator
We got back to the hotel in rush hour through the city itself and then said our goodbye to Santiago as he is not with us for the rest of the trip. I am already sad that. Carla will be gone when he drops us at the airport tomorrow.
We scurried up to the room and then dropped all of our stuff and came down for beverages and ordered some light food in the Globe Walker bar We have much to organize as we leave at 5:45 am for the plane to Isla San Cristobal!!
triumphgal 