Shopping in Otavalo

As a side trip from Quito, Danny and I decided to head to Otavalo for the famous Saturday Market. We didn't decide on this until Friday night, which meant we would not make it to Otavalo in time for the Animal Market (which starts around 5am Saturday morning). After talking to other travellers, we were told the Animal Market was pretty interesting and worth seeing (unless you're pro-PETA). Regardless, the Artesan Market was still pretty amazing. We spent the majority of the day walking around the Market (too bad we couldn't really buy anything since this was the beginning of the trip and we didn't want to carry everything for 5 months). There were endless stalls of ponchos, straw hats and bracelets (and the occassional Simpsons toy haha).

Danny haggling for cheap Oakley sunglasses

Who doesn't love boobies... blue-footed boobies?!

Ah gor, this one is for you!

Around the corner from the Artesan Market is the Food Market. Almost every food stall had a giant roasted pig head sitting on the table. You can't really see it in the picture, but there was actually a girl eating her lunch behind the hanging, slightly above room temperature meat.

Food market

Hanging meat

At night, once the Artesan Market is closed (the stalls are taken down daily and reset every day at 5am), food stalls are set up. This was also where we met some super friendly locals.

Street meat

Making friends

Besides the Market, the town of Otavalo itself is worth mentioning as we found it to be quite quaint and charming.

Plaza Bolivar

Town Hall

Church el Jordan

Note: Danny was super amazed at the different sizes of Coke they sold at the supermarket. 3 liter bottles up top, seriously!