Super Market
Written: Oct 05 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: People, surroundings, market
Cons: Not many
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| ianwatt's Full Review: Otavalo |
Otavalo Ecuador is a mid-size town located between two large volcanoes in the gorgeous Andean highlands of north-central ecuador. Ecuador in general is friendly, down-to-earth and both naturally and culturally scenic. Otavalo in particular encapsulates Ecuador into a nice chunk that can be thoroughly explored.
Otavalo is 1 1/2 to 3 hours by bus from the central terminal in Quito and costs a dollar or less. A taxi from quito should cost only $15. The town is situated in a fertile plain between the 'mother' and 'father' volcanoes which are cloud free many evenings. Pegulche falls is a breathtaking site located in a park on the northern fringes of the city.
The highlight of the week in Otavalo is the Saturday market. Mestizo and indigenous farmers, craftspeople and others come to this market town to sell everything under the sun. A limited crafts market and gorgeous food market take place every day, but Saturday is many orders of magnitude bigger.
The town is the center of Ecuadorean craft export, and you will be surprised how many people speak English, and/or have been to the US or Europe selling their crafts. There are tourist-oriented resaurants and hostels located around the central plaza. Have a drink at these places, and eat at one of hundreds of local hole-in-the-wall eateries. Expect to pay $1-2 for local dishes of chicken, ahi sauce, rice, corn, potato soup, and my favorite, yapping gachos; and beer. The more adventurous might want to sample the local favorite--cuyi, or guinea pig. Tell the waitress you had one as a pet, and have a good laugh.
Expect also to pay $1-2 for one of several hostels. Hostel de la Luna is located in the hills outside of town and is a destination for many travellers. THe villages surrounding Otavalo are beautiful and quaint, and can be reached by taxi or local bus. Trucks parked at the central plaza can take you to high Andean Lakes, or to starting points for climbing mountains. Be sure to negotiate price ahead of time, be generous and tip. Cotacachi is the center of leather craft as well as a nice town, and is a 20 minute bus ride to the north.
Otavalenos are very friendly, but women should expect extra attention from young men. Crime is very low, but the usual cautions apply. There are very few banks and no working ATMs in Otavalo, and don't expect to be able to use credit. Otavalenos like to have a good time, and heavy drinking is prevalent. Travellers not used to 10,000 foot elevation might want to watch how much rum they drink. When walking on the outskirts carry a stick to fend off dogs or pretend to pick up rocks when they approach.
Otavalo and Ecuador are beautiful, friendly places. I hope to see you there!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ianwatt
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Location: San Francisco, CA
Reviews written: 6
Trusted by: 3 members
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