These little piggies went to market

We experienced the colorful sights, sounds, aromas (food), and people of the Otavalo market last weekend. It is an extravaganza for the senses, to be sure. The region around this town about 80 mile north of Quito is home to artisans and crafts-people (men and women). If you've seen pictures of indigenous Indian people of the Andes and their stylish dress, then you have a basic idea of the people of that area. Their native language is Quichua, with Spanish their second.

We had 3 different market experiences. First in San Antonio de Madera (Wood), and we watched wood carvers in action there...then on to Cotacatchi which is quite famous for it's leather products. I had my eyes on a particular jacket, but the shopkeeper and I couldn't quite agree on a price (part of the experience is bartering), so I left it hanging in the shop, with reluctance, but with no regrets.

But the most entertaining was the Saturday Otavalo market. Artisans and vendors would leave their homes as early as 4 to travel with their goods, in order to be ready for business before 7 a.m. Darlene and I joined one of our college students, Beth from ONU for a 6:30 start....they were already open for business in the center market square and with all available spots taken, vendors' booths stretched down the 4 streets that led to each corner of the square.

Hand woven tapestries, alpaca blankets, hammocks, sweaters, table runners and table covers, clothing, embroidered blouses, jackets, handbags, jewelry, pottery, artifacts and crafts of wood and stone are examples of what was available. COLORFUL was the word for the day. If you'd like to see some photos, Darlene has them posted on her Facebook page.

The shopping was intense, as the vendors were eager to assist! :) Darlene thought I did not barter enough, and she did garner the better deals, I'm sure. I most enjoyed visiting with the people, meeting their families, taking pictures here and there. Watching the small of stature but strong of body men and women carry large loads of goods into the market in what looked like large coffee sacks on their backs was amazing and humbling. A little guy was pushing a wheelbarrow full of coconuts all day, offering a refreshing treat. A grandma was toting around a couple of mesh bags, into which we could see familiar shapes..... puppies for sale. We found some areas where we could hear chirping. Snooping around, we located little chicks in a box underneath a table with children watching over them.

Did you know that those famous "Panama" hats are actually made here in Ecuador? There were plenty of those available, and I garnered one for my use at a reasonable price. I was fond of the woven tapestries, while Darlene had fun shopping for handbags, fine scarves, table coverings, to name just a few items on her list. We treated ourselves to a plantain (banana) grilled over coals, while also finding our way to a wonderful pie shop during an afternoon break from the grueling shopping extravaganza.

It would be fair to say that we've not experienced any "market" experience quite like Otavalo. Did I say COLORFUL? Maybe a Google search of Otavalo, Ecuador is a good option for those interested in seeing more.

Our lodging was in a hostel that had a center courtyard with hammocks strung between trees. Our room was located immediately adjacent to the fireplace that bordered the courtyard. When guests lit up the fire late (very) at night the smoke fumes managed to find their way into our room (and others' of our group, too)....we hoped we wouldn't asphyxiate during the night as we said goodnight. We woke to the dawn and the music still playing from a nearby "club"....the hostel stay was a fun experience for the entire group.

On Sunday, we visited an indigenous church in a village up the mountain from Otavalo. The majority of the service was in Quichua. (as if Spanish wasn't challenge enough!) Women dressed in traditional Quichuan attire, men in blue ponchos with white pantalones with their hair braided in long pony tails. A large traditional drum was played during the time of singing praises, and after the service a traditional fare of some type of potato soup with rice was being served up on the front porch of the church.

Back to classes and then, today, we spent part of our day at a ministry location that serves children whose parents work processing/recycling at the Quito city waste/trash facility. They care for (in a most wonderful way) and seek to educate children from infancy to 10ish years of age, on site at the trash facility. As one would imagine, these children hold great promise, but very limited opportunity. The ministry's goal is to help these children be able to enroll in public school and break the cycle of generations of working in such conditions.

Holding babies, playing with children, drawing pictures, interacting....it will be a weekly experience for the group....one of three different ministry locations. The others are a senior citizens home and an orphanage for children with special needs.

Signing off (for now) from Quito!