Gabble and Gait

Tagua and Toenails

laura — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 05:07:00 GMT

Surfing in Montanita

laura — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 05:06:00 GMT

Snorkeling Salango Island

laura — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:01:00 GMT

Machalilla National Park

laura — Wed, 9 Jan 2008 04:59:00 GMT

Orchids, Tapas, and Busrides

laura — Tue, 8 Jan 2008 04:56:00 GMT

Nambillo-Mindo National Park

laura — Mon, 7 Jan 2008 04:47:00 GMT

Exploring Quito

laura — Sun, 6 Jan 2008 04:46:00 GMT

Quito

laura — Sat, 5 Jan 2008 04:44:00 GMT

It was difficult to know whether to stay in Old Town or New Town, because New Town seemed to have all of the action, but after much deliberation we decided on Old Town. It was without a doubt the best choice after seeing what each had to offer. We stayed in San Francisco de Quito, a lovely colonial style hotel where we were treated very well. The hotel is one block from the Plaza de la Independencia, a perfect oasis to explore the architecture, museums, and other historical sights.

However, for today we are only interested in one thing: Salsa Dancing! As a request, Sophy wanted to get Sparkle Toed high heels to dress ourselves up for the party scene. We've been hiking the Sierra for so long, we look the drab part wearing the same clothes over and over again. We went into every shoe store in Old Town center. Just for the record, shoe stores are in high competition with your average corner store. You'd think that there's nothing else to buy in the city other than candy and shoes. I have to admit that I was trying not to be a party pooper, but I didn't want to buy $50 sparkle puss shoes, a breed of "hidi.i" (hideous)and never wear them again. But I gave in to some bronze strappy sandals with a row of faux diamonds across the front.

It was laughable: I was in jeans and heels, ZERO makeup, and Sophy looked like tinkerbell in green spandex,mega heels, flowy white top and colorful tagua necklace (from our bike extravaganza en Banos). We picked out a Cuban Restaurant, Varadero, in the middle of New Town where we were told it would turn into a live Cuban music dance party.

After a pleasant dinner, and a bit of confusion, we realized that the party was next door. When we entered the bar we noticed that everyone was with their significant other. Drats, we wanted dancing partners. Tonight there are no downers though, it's birthday time. The live band was awesome...the lead singer had a lot of charisma and was electric when he'd dance on stage. Sophy made eyes at him all night...struck by the lead-singer syndrome. I made my way to the dance floor and just started shaking it like the best of them. All of the sudden Sophs and I were scooped up by stray dancers, putting our tinkle toes to the test. My partner was a fashionable young twenties blonde. Or at least that is how I remember this baby-face bailarin. He was with a group of friends,celebrating another birthday. Two of the girls had studied abroad in NYC, and proceeded to practice their English with Sophy and I. Several tequila shots later we were all best friends, hopping around, dancing sexy, and imitating certain reggaeton dances, and interpreting the words of songs through dance. It was high energy all night with the baby face crew.

I think the crowd put us to the test, and we won them all over. Men came out of the woodwork and asked us to dance. I was able to satiate my dance craving, and Sophy finally met the lead singer. I was told I had a nice "aguacate", directly translated means avocado, but means bootie in this scenario. It made me laugh that these girls would even say that to me. Anything goes when you're talking to a stranger I suppose.

The night ended to soon, although I suppose it was time to pry my sandals off for bed. The funny thing was that everyone else was wearing flats. And apparently the two gringas were a head taller than the rest of the crowd. In other words, everyone noticed our high heels, although our intentions were to be decked out latina style.

Happy Birthday Sophus, we did get some good use out of our "in fashion bronze" sparkly numbers.

Otavalo Markets

laura — Sat, 5 Jan 2008 04:42:00 GMT

*Otavalo is home to the most famous artisan market in America. Each Saturday in the Poncho Plaza, several indigenous communities come to barter and sell their diverse and colorful handicrafts. Otavalenos are famous for their weaving skills ever since pre-colonial times. In 1495, the Incas took control of the area and introduced llamas and alpacas for wool,which was much easier to dye than cotton. Forty years later the Spaniards swept introducing silk and looms. It wasn't until the Agrarian Reform in 1964 that great estates were broken up to give to indigenas so that at long last they could profit from their weaving skills and set up small businesses. Thanks to the success of the weaving industy, Otavalenos are some of the most prosperous indigenous groups in South America*

Today is Sophy's 27th birthday. I couldn't think of a better way to spend it amongst a delicious array of alpaca wraps, multitudes of bright colors in the form of rugs, belts, wall hangings, scarves, wallets, purses, etc. This market truly is a labyrinth of textiles, foods, woodwork, jewelery, and more. We got their early to beat the crowds, peruse the merchandise and barter our way to the best price. I have successfully bought all of my Christmas presents for 2008 as well as gifts for my extended Costa Rican family. There was a point that even standing still was dizzying and I felt that if Sophy and I weren't staring each other in the face we might lose each other.

I'm glad that we didn't separate afterall to do our own shopping. It turned out we were interested in similar things, and equally interested in letting "no rock be unturned"!Word to the wise, the vendors at the end will give better deals. It was midday, when we originally had decided to head south towards Quito,but like dutiful soldiers we made our rounds...forgetting completely that we should be taking pictures of this circus of sorts. Sophy escaped to take pictures of the huge pots of food, and I later got my camera out and started to click away at the different fabrics. Everything is just so happy and lively. Today was a day of constant celebration, for my eyes and my wallet!!

Peguche Waterfall and Garden

laura — Fri, 4 Jan 2008 04:40:00 GMT

*Peguche is an indigenous village well-known for its skilled weavers and its traditional music. The Peguche Waterfall is approximately 20 meters high and located within forty hectares of forest declared "Watershed Protected Forest and Vegetation." For several communities, this waterfall is the main source of natural power and strength, and as such is frequented by the yachackuna (shamans) as part of their healing practice.*

Sophy and I were looking for an afternoon activity and were delighted to stumble upon the Peguche community and reserve. The Imbabura Volcano is an impressive backdrop as we followed a dirt road towards the site, getting nods from the natives and a stern point in the direction of the reserve. Stern I believe because they were heading up a different trail that we later learned was another way into or out of the park, bypassing the registering point. The community seemed very organized and catered to tourists venturing out to admire the local handicrafts...maybe even too organized in their copycat houses. We also spent some time peering into renovated hotels, what appeared to be summer homes, and a somewhat abandoned school. This was one of the many moments we imagined having a farmhouse on the outskirts of a bustling city, a wrap-around porch with views of mountains and volcanoes, gardens for one to sprawl in the sunshine or share with close friends a golden-hued brunch or pastel-skied tea.

Sophy and I were not expecting anything spectacular, we just wanted to stretch out our limbs for awhile. The Peguche gardens,however, were a lovely surprise made up of several different trails amongst a Eucalyptus forest...a child's delight. There were several little passageways connecting to other trails or clearings..."rabbit holes" of vines and flowers to burrow through, I have the scratches to prove it. There were nooks and crannies of flowers as well as areas that were shawled with different hues of blues, oranges and reds. The waterfall was a nice addition, but I think our mischievous hearts were set on exploring the private gardens, indigenous ruins, and following the tiniest trails that seemed only to be tread by the natives. This area must have some sort of healing element, because I felt completely revived from our long travel, not wanting our afternoon garden to disappear.

Quilotoa Crater

laura — Thu, 3 Jan 2008 04:38:00 GMT

Tigua

laura — Wed, 2 Jan 2008 04:35:00 GMT

Puyo

laura — Tue, 1 Jan 2008 04:32:00 GMT

Tungurahua and New Years

laura — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 04:27:00 GMT

Ingapirca

laura — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 04:23:00 GMT

Cajas National Park

laura — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:22:00 GMT

* Cajas National Park has a surface area of 28,544 hectares and an elevation between 3,150 and 4,450 meters above sea level. Rock formations are from the Mesozoic era, where large volcanic phenomena begun and the Andean mountains lifted. Lake complexes come from the Quaternary era where glacier movements and formation began, and where the mammoth lived and man began its origin and development. During the glaciation period "u", u-shaped valleys formed just as the graded lakes in "boxes"(cajas). Trails treversing the park witness the presence of pre-colonial cultures and the Ingacarretero (The Royal Path of the Incas).*

Cuenca

laura — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:17:00 GMT

Guayaquil

laura — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 22:00:00 GMT

Gallery: Ecuador

laura — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:11:00 GMT

The Sierra and Coast