Mar 1, 2013 - Markets and waterfalls

Feb. 29 Soyla and Juan treated us to another fantastic breakfast, we said our good byes and climbed back into the trucks to catch the bus in Ibarra. This time we were all on alert so no shoes were lost in transport. After checking into our hotel in Otavalo we met, discussed the options, when to meet and then split up. Mike and I dropped off some laundry and joined Chris, John, Cindy and Susan. We flagged down a couple of taxis and headed to Peguche. We stopped for some lunch which was a disaster. We ordered, waited, the waitress came back...

Jul 23, 2012 - Churches and the Middle of the World

July 23 Up early again and met our tour group – we are now 33... A bunch of folks from Ploand, some from DC, some more from California. Juan Carlos – our tour manager, went over some of the stuff we were going to do, and then the expectations. We boarded the bus and headed to downtown Quito. Streets just as narrow as in Peru. We ended up in the center square and visited the outside of the Quito cathedral – interesting in that the gargoyles are all animals – turtles, bats, anteaters... Lots of vendors as well but not very pushy. Being a...

Jan 16, 2012 - Otavalo y más

If there is one thing I´ve learned about BCA, it´s that they know how to travel efficiently. This past weekend we visited several places, all relatively close but with completely different things to appreciate and learn from. First we headed to the Los Piramides de Cochasqui. These ruins are pre-Incan and sites similar to them can be found all over Ecuador. The reality is that Ecuador has more historical heritage sites per acre than Peru. What makes Peru more famous is that the ruins are made of stone and have a more aesthetic presence....

Nov 12, 2011 - Que Bonita!!

Hi Everyone!!! We made it to Ecuador, had no problems with the flight or taxi's, thank goodness Jen M speaks spanish we are getting around pretty easily, and I'm recognizing a lot more of the language than I thought I would! Our tour guide ROCKS!! So far we stayed at the Hotel Quito then saw a bunch of neo-classical and baroque churhes, ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Today we also visited the Equator and were truly in the middle of the WORLD! The experiments and culture of the people are very intriquing. Now we are in the volcano country and the...

Mar 4, 2011 - Otavalo

Friday, March 4, 2011 This morning we met Richard Wilson who will be our guest lecturer for the rest of the trip; his specialty is literature. He joined us on our drive into the valley. We left the Hilton at 8:40 am and drove to the city of Otavalo. Traffic was light as many people are taking a holiday in anticipation of Carnival. Yes, it’s approaching next week! But here there are no gala celebrations; many people spend time at the beach. The local practice is water balloon fights, mostly boys hurling water balloons at the girls. Sometimes...

Aug 23, 2010 - Otavalo and back to Quito

Otavalo is the site of a very famous indigenous market that has been happening weekly since before the Spaniards arrived. Since that is the kind of stuff I always look for when traveling, I couldn't wait! We arrived the day before the market and had a preview of coming attractions by checking out the stands that are set up all week. Right away we realized that there was not much available that we hadn't already seen just about everywhere we had been. In fact, most of it is available in Guatemala or right at home in Ajijic or Chapala. Who...

Feb 28, 2010 - Sunday in Cotacachi

Cotacachi (population 9000) is located near Otavalo (a 20-minute bus ride for a quarter) at 8,000 feet above sea level. It is a very tidy little town. It may be the cleanest town in Latin America. There are no broken sidewalks to trip over, no vacant lots piled with litter, and I saw only a small amount of graffiti. This is a Quechua indigenous town in a massive bowl of a valley with views of two massive volcanoes, including Imbabura and Cotacachi. The nearby slopes were covered with a green patchwork of steep farm fields and greenhouses of...

Jan 29, 2010 - Bienvenidos a Ecuador!

Nous voilà à la frontière de l’Equateur. Dernière formalité en Colombie, on fait tamponner nos passeports. On en profite pour demander au mec du service de l’Immigration où faire du change, il nous répond de nous addresser aux cambistas qui se trouvent à côté de son guichet. Voyant des personnes le faire, nous allons les voir. Ils nous pressent et nous empêchent de réfléchir. Confiants, nous faisons la transaction, puis partons et commençons à avoir des doutes sur le taux de change. Ramenés en euros, c’est louche, on s’est sûrement fait...

Jan 24, 2010 - Hiking at Otavalo

Ufffff.....I am done for today! This was a really tough day, as mentioned yesterday its very difficult to get any guided tours....so I decided to go hiking on my own. But first I need to mention that my hostal I found is really very recommendable, its somewhere outside the city, and its like a little farm. View out of my room when waking up is incredible, also as now it is not a very touristic season there are not too many people staying there. Last night I spent with four american girls talking and playing games - not what some of you...

Jan 23, 2010 - Otavalo Mercado

Well, this morning I had my first encounter with the ecuadorian bus service. As I wanted to go to Otavalo my host father drove me very in the morning to the terminal terrestre, thats where the buses starts. I expected then to ask around and buy a ticket, but actually out of the car I found myself within less than one minute in the bus to my destination. Sometimes things are going fast even here. The bus ride was quiet funny for one part, as some passengers were shouting that they will leave the bus if we dont start immediately our trip ......

Dec 15, 2009 - Ecuador: Otavalo

After eight delightful days cruising the Galapagos we headed straight to Otavalo, crossing the equator along the way. The kids attended Spanish school all week and lived with a small Ecuadorian family in town. It was a good opportunity for them to make their way independently, and they enjoyed the time immensely. The Otavalenos are perhaps the most commercially successful indigenous group in South America. They are to be seem driving around new 4-wheel drive vehicles and the town even sports an Abercrombie and Fitch store--not knock-offs....

Oct 17, 2009 - Otavalo/Colonial Quito by Night

After a big beach weekend, I was ready for a more low key weekend around Quito. I hadn't been to Otavalo, a small town nestled in the mountains which revolves completely around their incredible market. I went with my friends Annie, Gina, Scarlett and Chris for a quick day trip. I was the only person who hadn't been yet out of the group, so we didn't go to the animal market or other more interesting sights in the area. I would like to definitely go back to see some more things because apparently the animal market is really cool. I think it...