Name your price in Otavalo, Ecuador
Written by Bessie on Saturday, November 29, 2008 in 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. Feelin' normal
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.
Some Background
Otavalo, is full of indigenous people. Very proud indigenous people that make good money and have even managed to elect an indigenous mayor, much to the chagrin of the 400 year old mestizo families that are the descendants of the founding spaniards. Set in the cool but sun-kissed Andes mountains 2 hours north of Quito, Otavalo is a prosperous town on the itineraries of almost every tourist because of it's reputation as being the best market in all of South America.
Shop 'Til You Drop
The markets produce, and it's hard to leave without something, well, a few somethings. The tourist geared market in Plaza de Ponchos sells just about everything you can think of made from wool, from mittens to sweaters, and finger puppets to purses with some art and jewelry thrown in.
Kyle (not) purse shopping; salesman and his booth-o-wool
booth filled with illegal dvds; cart filled with veggies
Then there are 3 other less touristy, but equally visited markets spread about town that sell produce, live animals and miscellaneous goods. Now we've seen a lot of markets so far on our journey, but nothing was quite like the large animal market. I'd never heard so many squeeling pigs, and voluntarily walked through so much feces.
It really was a cool experience though. We were out the door at 6am walking through the streets as vendors hustled to get their stalls set up. By 6:30am, the animal market was well into full swing, and transactions were going on all around us.
"chickens for sale!"
Baaaahhh! Mooooo!
We stood back watching an indigenous family picking out their new milk cow, and as the new owner handed over his was of $400 in twenty dollar bills. (below)
Comments on "Name your price in Otavalo, Ecuador"
Oh, this brings back the memories of haggling over prices in broken Spanish! The lake and volcano just outside Otovalo create the most picturesque scene I've ever seen (my attempts at word play are as good as my Spanish).
Missing the two of you in Chicago but happy for your adventures in a place near and dear to my heart.
we went to one of the lagunas (Mojanda or something) & hiked the volcano near there - I'll get pictures up soon. It was really beautiful... :) Ecuador is really a nice place.
Miss you too hon! And good to hear from you!
So much wool, so little time........if you do not come home with one of those "great" colorful hats to ward off the chill of the windy city.....we will be disappointed. Try for something bluish...great for an early season Cub game!
we did buy wool hats, but not quite as ridiculous as the ones in the pictures... You'll be seeing those more soon as we ascend higher into the Andes. It's COLD here!
Ooh! Those crazy face wool hats would be super popular here right now. I am desirus even though it would kill my hairdo : ) Looks like it was a fun weekend. Just be glad you are not standing in long lines at Wal-Mart and Kohls. The American shopping experience is in full swing here and it is nowhere near as fun.
I can definitely say I don't miss the holiday craziness... I think I'd pay money to see you in one of those nutty hats - I so CAN'T picture it on you at ALL! Makes me laugh just thinking about it! haa haaa
The ridiculous hats in the pictures arent that ridiculous . Those are masks that are worn for celebration during the festival of the sun or "inti raymi"
I mean no insult using the word ridiculous - they're unlike any hat I've seen before, and pretty cool looking. Thanks for the bit of perspective about inti raymi, it sounds like a cool thing to experience.
Superb fun market - especially away from the tourist market.
by Mark H at December 02, 2008 11:04 PM