Our last two stops in Ecuador were Otavalo and Quito. We took an overnight bus from Puerto Lopez to Quito, which was actually a really nice bus, one of the nicest ones we have been in (it even had air conditioning!) We arrived around 5 am to Quito and immediately took a taxi to the bus terminal (because of course the nice buses never leave from the real bus terminal, plus htere are multiple bus terminals in Quito since it's a big city). From there, we hopped on the next bus to Otavalo (which is only about 2 hours away). When we got off the bus, we went to the first cafe we saw and got coffee and pastries. Then, we headed out to find a hotel. Otavalo is where one of the largest markets (artesinal, livestock, produce...basically whatever you can think of that they would make a market for is all there at the same time) in South America. It was also the beginning of Carnaval festivities, which took place during the weekend we were in Quito through the Tuesday that we went to Colombia. So, our nice hike to a waterfall outside of town ended up being caught in the middle of beginning-of-Carnaval-festivities aka school kids out of school on Friday for the long weekend with lots of silly string and being thrown in rivers. Saturday, which is the market day, the whole town was taken over by stands selling various things. All the streets were lined with merchants...it was quite a sight. After shopping and just enjoying the market for most of the day, we headed back to Quito. Because it was Carnaval, almsot all of the hostels were full (which is ironic considering none of the locals are actually in Quito and the city itself is fairly dead).
We eventually found a nice hostel that actually ended up being really cozy with nice old man running it who made us a yummy breakfast every morning. We had 3 days in Quito, which we spent exploring various parts of the city. I think Quito was my favorite city of the trip...it just had a cool vibe and was pretty set in the valley (although we never actually got to see the famous view of the volcano because it's the rainy season and it was cloudy every day). We stayed in "new city," but my favorite part of the town was old city, with it's old colonial architecture. Also, a highlight to our time in Quito, we got to see The Girl with the Dragon tattoo (nice thing about South America, I can actually afford to go to the movies).
Waterfall! (before being attacked by Ecuadorian school children in the spirit of Carnaval)
After being attacked by Ecuadorian school children. We had already been sprayed multiple times with silly string (in reality it's more of a silly foam) by several different kids. But, we had managed to escape water and flour thus far. So, we were walking around, enjoying the scenery, being amused by the kids spraying each other with silly string and the boys throwing the girls in the water. A group of giggling girls runs past us, we think nothing of it, and before we know it, several high school boys are dragging US towards the water. Maya and I had both assumed they would keep pursuing the girls...but apparently two foreign girls were more appealing. So, we were dragged (half-willing, since we figured it's all part of the experience, right?) to the river where the proceeded to dunk us, fully clothed, into the river. Luckily, the let us go one at a time and we got to hold each other's backpacks during the dunking so our cameras didn't get ruined. Anyways, it was an interesting experience. Kids+carnaval=crazy Friday afternoons.
A woman dressed in typical traditional dress for the region. We bought really warm, soft alpaca blankets from her.
The beautiful green hills surrounding Otavalo.
Some old colonial buildings in "Old City" Ecuador. I really liked this style. And they were all pained in really pretty pastel colors and had nice balconies.
Looking down the street towards the hill with the virgin that overlooks the city (all cities down here seem to either have a virgin or Jesus statue on a hill overlooking them.)
An old gothic-style church. Now it's just used as a museum (which we didn't go into, because we didn't want to pay. Our theory on churches: if you have to pay to go in, it's not longer actually used as a church, it's just used as a museum.) But the outside was incredible to look at. It looked like something straight out of Europe. We saw it from the main Plaza and decided to hike up to it while we were waiting for our turn to go into the presidential palace...definitely worth the straight uphill walk.
The two guards guarding the entrance to the presidential palace (he just works there, he doesn't live there).
A courtyard inside the palace.
Overlooking the plaza from the second story of the palace.
A gift from the US to Ecuador!
Ecuadorian flag. It was really awkward, when we first walked into the place and went upstairs our guide told everyone to salute the flag. I was a little taken aback by that...I don't think I've ever been asked to salute the flag of another country. The had a flag in a display case with a little carpet in front and everyone stopped and bowed in the front of the flag. Maya and I just kind of walked up to it and looked at, then quickly stepped aside. (I'm pretty sure we were the only ones not from Ecuador on the tour).
Also during the tour, the guide was showing some artifacts from a famous person in Ecuador (I can't remember his name now...) Everyone knew exactly who he was talking about except us. So a few sentences into his story, he stops, looks at us, and goes, "Oh, for the people who aren't form Ecuador, this person was famous because he helped Ecuador gain their independence..." Slightly embarrassing and funny all at the same time.
Our last day in Ecuador (and the next blog post)...we went to...La Mitad del Mundo!! Aka, the equator
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