Greetings from Quito! Yes, this post is long overdue. In our defense, we’ve just returned from the Galapagos islands where we spent the last 2 weeks. As you can imagine with remote islands, the wi-fi is notoriously poor. However, we’ll leave that experience to a separate post (maybe tomorrow?). Let’s pick up where we last left off: living in Quito’s old city. With its pastel colors and historic churches seemingly around every corner, this part of the city has so much character that you could spend weeks just walking around and exploring it.
The streets of the old city
You just never know who you’ll bump into on the streets of Quito
Taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the Santo Domingo church
We finished up taking classes at our Spanish language school just in time to visit the renowned Otavalo indigenous markets. For hundreds of years (like since pre-Incan times!), Otavalo has hosted one of the most important markets in the Andes, a weekly fiesta centered on the handmade traditional crafts made by local villages. If there was ever a place to go to stock up on souvenirs, this is definitely the place to do it! Also on Saturdays, Otavalo features a large animal market that is worthy of a visit.
This picture about sums up the kids’ reaction to seeing (up close) where their food comes from.
Anna marvels at the variety of animals being sold here (from left: Anna :-), ducks and chickens, bunnies, guinea pigs (which is a delicacy here called cuy).
Chicks anyone? I actually cropped this one and made it my new iPhone lock screen 🙂
Beautiful ponchos, blankets, hats, and sweaters are just a few of the artisanal goods sold at the Otavalo markets
I enjoyed visiting with these guys each evening as they played Andean music at a restaurant across from our hostel. 
On our way back to Quito, we stopped by the town of Guayllabamba to visit friends (see previous post) at their flower farm. We learned a lot about the flower business in Ecuador (and business in general). They have been very gracious in having us stay with them in Quito, both during this visit as well as after we returned from the Galapagos. Not sure where all this good karma is coming from, but we are very grateful for it!
Ramiro gives us a tour of his flower farm
Evan hangs out with his buddy, Gabriel
Enjoying Italian food with our Quito friends on the eve of our Galapagos trip
Life is good.
Keep the beautiful photos and stories coming. If you forget to buy anything in Otavalo, you’ll find it in Baños de Agua Santa because the Otavaleños have taken up shop there too.
Hi All, Loved the blog. Otovala rang a bell with me. Did we go there with Lori when we visited? Where do you go next? We are doing fine. Keep safe. Love you, Mom and Dad
The street scenes were priceless! Such a colorful variety with chics, fabrics, etc.
You are all having the best time of your lives. Love all the pics and all the informative info. Miss and love you guys.