Weekend Adventures

On Saturday we had an IES field trip to the Otavalo market, which is about 2 hours north. Actually being there was pretty exciting after having done a research project on it this past semester! On the way there we stopped in Calderón, which is a small town known for its bread-dough figurines. We got free souvenirs! Once we got to Otavalo we had two hours at the market. It was incredibly overwhelming; there’s so much there! They also like to raise the prices for tourists so every time you see something you like you need to ask how much it is, continue looking around at other kiosks, return to the one you like the most, and try to barter so that they lower the price. I think I actually did a pretty good job at bartering! We all needed a bit more time though, so I think we’re all in agreement that we’re going to make a list of what we want and return at some point. Afterwards we went to Cotacachi (the town I visited with my family last weekend) for lunch. Then we went to the Peguche waterfall, which was beautiful. We hiked up to the middle level and waded into the water. It was a great day! One minor failure: I got a bug bite that is currently swollen and taking over half of my forearm. But others got tons, so I guess I’m lucky! Today my family took me to the Park Metropolitano, which is about 10 minutes from our house in the car. On Sundays it’s pretty busy with kids playing on swing sets, bikers and hikers on the trails, and lots of dogs! We walked around for a bit and then we went to Quicentro for lunch, which is one of the malls. That’s all for now – classes start tomorrow!

Peguche waterfall

Otavalo market