Arrival in the Indian town of Otavalo

After buying roses and giving them to the housekeeper and to Elena (though in her case, in absentia), I set off on my journey with a clear conscience. My next destination was the town of Otavalo. The trip was short, but very interesting. Unlike Colombia, Ecuador’s mountains are rocky and incredibly high. Very beautiful! Today I saw snow-capped mountains in real life for the first time. Like a picture, only real, in the present life.

The town of Otavalo is situated among mountains and volcanoes like these, and there are also lakes, lagoons, and waterfalls! The entire town is one huge market, with both street stalls and shops everywhere. At every turn there are banks and internet cafés.

That day I had a complete pattern break: the Indians who had filled my imagination since childhood no longer existed: the proud, tall, half-naked people :) living in wigwams and standing in opposition to civilization with all its unnecessary possessions. Here in this town, the Indians are merchants-businesspeople. But I still like them! They have long, beautiful hair and black, piercing eyes. And they greet people so warmly here :) I like Otavalo more than Quito.

I checked into the Chasqui hotel with a small garden, where a hen and a rooster live among tomato trees. There are several floors and a terrace. Throughout the hostel, there are tourist information and books to read, and in the kitchen – a map of Otavalo and its surroundings. I really like my room: it has a wardrobe, a proper writing desk, and a bathroom! The only problem is that the bathroom window has no glass, so it’s a little cold. There’s also a very large bed, a television, a DVD player with discs, and even a small reading lamp on the bedside table. So far, everything is going well :)

TAGS: highlights of the day, Indians, Otavalo

MOOD: productive, satisfied, comfortable

Date: 2013-08-05 23:33:00