Otavalo Market
The Otavalo Market is reputed to be one of the largest open markets in South America. On Saturdays, the indigenous people
come to sell food. In addition to selling fruits and vegetables, there are stands set up to sell cooked food. It is a festive day.
The market has become so popular with tourists that it is now seven days a week, although Saturday is the big and most
authentic day which we were fortunate to attend. The part of the market we enjoyed the most and which is the topic of this
page is the food portion of the market. We did visit the much more commercial or touristy section to buy the woven goods for
which Ecuador is so famous, a section not featured here.
come to sell food. In addition to selling fruits and vegetables, there are stands set up to sell cooked food. It is a festive day.
The market has become so popular with tourists that it is now seven days a week, although Saturday is the big and most
authentic day which we were fortunate to attend. The part of the market we enjoyed the most and which is the topic of this
page is the food portion of the market. We did visit the much more commercial or touristy section to buy the woven goods for
which Ecuador is so famous, a section not featured here.
Most of the smaller vendors are women. Some have only a few pounds of corn for sale.
I love the lines on people's faces. It seems to me that
people look old at a very young age here. The lines come
early for those who make their living working outdoors as
they are exposed to the intense sun of the high altitude at
the equator.
Because of the altitude, the temperatures in the Andes
such as Octavalo and Quito is very pleasant, much like a
summer day in Port Angeles.
people look old at a very young age here. The lines come
early for those who make their living working outdoors as
they are exposed to the intense sun of the high altitude at
the equator.
Because of the altitude, the temperatures in the Andes
such as Octavalo and Quito is very pleasant, much like a
summer day in Port Angeles.
As I noted, the cooked food was one of the most interesting aspects
of the market. There were several fully cooked pigs propped up to
look like they were smiling. The pigs are eaten from the rear end
forward.
of the market. There were several fully cooked pigs propped up to
look like they were smiling. The pigs are eaten from the rear end
forward.
I never pointed my camera directly at anyone
without asking permission. However, I did hang my
camera at waist level and turned the view finder so I
could discreetly look down at it. Or, I left the camera
hang and aimed in the general direction of my
subject and took the picture without their being
aware.
This is one good argument for a high mega-pixel
camera. The picture can be edited down afterwards
to frame the subject and the local people do not
feel they are exploited.
After we left the market, we tried to find a restaurant
recommended by our hotel, but kept getting
directions that were wrong. Finally, we stopped at a
police station and asked for directions. Mr. Big Shot
told us to climb into one of the police vehicles and
then directed two policemen to take us to our
destination.
without asking permission. However, I did hang my
camera at waist level and turned the view finder so I
could discreetly look down at it. Or, I left the camera
hang and aimed in the general direction of my
subject and took the picture without their being
aware.
This is one good argument for a high mega-pixel
camera. The picture can be edited down afterwards
to frame the subject and the local people do not
feel they are exploited.
After we left the market, we tried to find a restaurant
recommended by our hotel, but kept getting
directions that were wrong. Finally, we stopped at a
police station and asked for directions. Mr. Big Shot
told us to climb into one of the police vehicles and
then directed two policemen to take us to our
destination.