Friday, January 5, 2018

Market Day

Otavalo artisan markets in Ecuador are known to be the largest indigenous markets in South America.  You can visit the markets every day but the best day is on a Saturday which is the time that many of the indigenous come to Otavalo to sell their wares.  The Otavaeños are famous for their weaving and other textiles.  In the main square you will find about 90 mushroom shaped stalls.  Walk in any direction from the square and each side street is filled with stall after stall after stall.
(retire-in-ecuador.com)

Frank from Ali Shungu took us down to Otavalo on Saturday morning so that we could visit both the animal market and the artisan market.

First, the animal market... (where we made no purchases)



Seems like an appropriate place for high heels, no?


Hauling their bovine purchase away in a taxi truck


Lots of discarded bones to gnaw on near the food stalls

Knitting and selling avocados 








It's a very good idea to watch your step around here!




Next, we walk to the center of town to the artisan market.
Throw your trash right into his mouth!







We're getting close to the plaza now.  
Vendors line the side streets as well as filling the square for the weekend market.


















You can't see it in the picture, but a couple of those tea towels say "Martha's Vineyard".












Juice seller



We made a few purchases.  
These are the ones we could photograph - not for birthdays and other gifts.

The little poncho and hat that we purchased for our anticipated nephew



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