November 16, 2007

Cayambe/Otavalo

Today we woke up at 5am to be out of the house and meet everyone at Mucki's Restaurant. Unfortunately, Thomas was able to meet us because he was not feeling well. All the trucks were loaded and all 15 of us headed out to Cayambe. We took the Panamerican Highway so we could pick up Anita along the way.

Once there we started to set up for the event at a Dutch flower farm. The roses on display were gorgeous. They had seven different types on display. I took pictures with my two most favorites; the Taboo and the Cool Water.



A little bit before lunch G and I borrowed Heide's car and drove to Otavalo. We parked the car and then started walking to the center of town. We found lots of fruits and vegetable stands and stopped to buy pineapple and mamones for 75 cents. We then walked through the market and enjoyed checking out the vendors. The fruits were just amazing.

We stopped for a quick lunch at a vegetarian restaurant, where we were able to both eat for $3.00. After lunch we headed out to the tourist market, stopped along the way to buy strawberries and empanadas (meat, cheese, and pineapple). I then went shopping (with G following behind) and looked at the paintings, textiles, jewelery, and pottery. I bought myself a cool platter and G bought me a bracelet.

After a few hours playing tourist we headed back to the farm and hung out with everyone until after dinner. We then headed back home only to be greeted with congested roads due to the festival that is happening in El Quinche, El Festival de La Virgen del Quinche. Lots and lots of people walk or drive to the cathedral for the festival. The side of the roads that were empty on our drive there were now full of vendors for the pilgrims. Talk about an amazing site.

Once home we skipped dinner on the account of us eating all day and headed to bed.