Hola and Happy New Year! I had a great time last night watching and taking in all the local customs. As we were driving from Puerto Ayora to Baltra for our flight yesterday, a man dressed as a woman got on the bus and was asking for money. we could not figure out what was going on. We found out back in Quito that one custom is the widow. Men dress as women and then ask for money to survive as a "widow"? Go figure. The figures that they burn are representative of all the bad things that happened in 2008 and ridding them good bye. The town ends up a mix between Bourbon street and a war zone. . . firecrackers are going off; fires are burning all over the street that leaves paper floating in the air and the smell of a fresh fire; and people are dressed in costumes or masks and partying in the streets until dawn. . . it was quite a sight to see. I uploaded some pictures last night and more today. I've also got two short videos. The first is in honor of Melissa. . . Mama Mia in Quito!!
Here is the link: http://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=camlucille87
There is also just one of the crowds and a "widow" dancing.
Here is that link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv42senz8aA
Needless to say, it was entertaining! I hope y'all had a great New year's eve also! Today, I slept in until about 08:00 and then got up and got ready and went to Otavalo, a town north of Quito.
I took the local bus that costs $2 and provided good local flavor. Quito I knew would be totally closed down after all of the activity last night so I thought Otavalo might prove to be better luck. They have a large market of native crafts and that was my goal. . . shopping. After the two hour bus ride, I made it to Otavalo and began wandering about the town looking for the market. I was approached by a man--big shocker. . . total stranger wanting to come and talk. :) And he used to live in Quito but now lives in Germany. He was just visiting Otavalo. He visited with me for a while and told me about Ecuador's social security and where the building was to receive medical care if you qualified and how many are too poor to pay, but others pay a lot. And you get the picture. I asked about the market and he asked if he could join me, but I politely declined and said I was going into the church we were standing in front of first, but thank you. So I went in the church and it mass was being held so i just viewed from the back for a moment and then left.
I found the local market first where you see the pictures of all the food, vegetables, etc. And it was pretty interesting. Everything you'd ever want under one tent. After that I found the artist market and enjoyed walking around shopping and haggling over the prices. . . one of my favorite activities. I wanted to be sure to be back to Quito before dark so I left after a while and caught the bus back. I walked back to where I thought the bus would stop to pick up passengers to Quito and I confirmed with a Senora that I was indeed at the right spot and it was here--"aqui aqui". The man opens the door and yells "Quito, Quito, Quito" and tells me to hurry as the bus sort of rolls to a stop and I hop on. And then the bus driver laughs as I stumble when he takes right back off without really stopping! I find a seat and settle in and am surprised to see Triple X (action flick) being played in Spanish. . . so i have a movie for this ride! I am the only gringo going back to Quito. On the way out I was one of say 6? but this time it is just me. people get on and off, etc. and i end up sitting with a young girl maybe 8? She falls asleep on my shoulder. I just let her sleep. Also, all this ride, I kept hearing this chirping. . . a few stops before Quito, a woman gets off and in her hand is a small chicken of some sort. I knew I had heard something!
I got back to the bus station and caught a taxi back here. Including my taxis to the bus station ($9), my total cost of travel to Otavalo was $13.20. Not a bad deal for a day excursion to a town 2 hours outside of Quito! Tomorrow is the equator and if time allows, Old Town. Then it is to the airport to meet my mission team that will fly into Lima tomorrow night.
