Name your price in Otavalo, Ecuador

Written by Bessie about Ecuador. Feelin' normal

We spent the weekend in Otavalo, Ecuador, a town famous amongst tourist for their markets full of wool sweaters, silly hats, produce, and animals. And to paint a clear picture of what it's like in Otavalo, I'm going out on a literary limb and compare this 400 year old town town of traditions to, none other than, Las Vegas.

ridiculous wool hats (believed to be for Inti Raymi - sun festival) ; view from the rooftop of our hostal

Tall buildings and casinos translate to 4 story hotels and indigenous-run market stands. While not known for their one-night-stands, no one goes home alone with all the cheap wool creations about, just name your price. In Otavalo, crowds come-a-runnin' for the real party that gets pumping about 5am Saturday morning - don't miss it. It's a once in a lifetime sort of place you can't pass up, where the American dollar flows, and if you name the right price you and your family can all go home winners.

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Climbing a 14er with a cool name

Written by Bessie about Ecuador. Feelin' normal

So in Colorado climbing a 14er (14,000 ft; 4,242m) is a big deal because it's really high. I have friends who were already in great shape and still trained specifically to climb one - it's tough. Kyle and I climbed a 14er here in Ecuador, and while it probably wasn't as tough as doing it in Colorado might be, it was still an accomplishment, and it's our new highest point record for our trip.

trail about half-way up Fuya Fuya volcano

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No, Actually I Am the Center of the Earth

Written by Kyle about Ecuador. Feelin' amused

...for a day. Or, I guess I should say that I am at the center of the earth, but whatever. I can stroke my ego for one day, right?

It's technically called Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the Earth) and it's really a large line in the ground. Really. it's kind of like one of those lines that separates parking spaces in a parking lot, except much larger. And, as it happens, this line is the equator. Or in Spanish, it's called el ecuador. Get it? They named the country, Ecuador, after the equater. I'm still waiting for the country called Prime Meridian.

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A Traveler's Birthday

Written by Kyle about Ecuador. Feelin' normal

Many people have wondered what I did for my birthday, so for those of you wondering, here you go! It is also another interesting peak into the "normal" happenings of a traveler's life.

12:00 am: First minutes of being 29. We are attending a Julieta Venegas concert in Quito for my birthday. If you don't know who she is, you can check out her music here: http://www.myspace.com/julietavenegas. In my humble but always correct opinion, she's the most talented musician to come out of Mexico.

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Hiking in the Andes Mountains: the Quilotoa Laguna, Ecuador

Written by Bessie about Ecuador. Feelin' excited

Hiking through the Andes is such a romantic notion, isn't it? Well it's cold too, but the experience is amazing.

We spent a few days on the Quilotoa Loop, a rough road that takes about 8 hours to get around. It passes through one small mountain village after another separated only by green patchwork-quilt covered mountains dotted with sheep.