A quick and easy flight from Loja to Quito, bus waiting for me at the airport in Quito, dropped me at the side of the road where I waited a bit for the bus to Otavalo. Pretty easy trip from one end of the country to the other. Nice to be back in Otavalo. And nice a to be back at hostal Riviera-Sucre, one of my favourite accommodations.
The hummingbirds were still zipping around the garden
and a new group of travellers were in residence. There was a couple from Taos, New Mexico who had brought folding bikes and used them to explore the local area where ever they were. I've often considered this and it was inspiring to see someone doing it. They just sold the bikes when they were ready to go home. There was young John and Amanda from Ontario with no fixed address.
She is a substitute teacher and he a carpenter and they do house sitting. They've been all over the world doing that. Also inspiring. Sally was from Edmonton and we did some things together around the area. One day we explored one of the indigenous communities where a lot of crafts are made that are sold at the big market and where there is a lot of agriculture.
John and Amanda
The performances were preceded by long celebratory speeches by local dignitaries at uncomfortably loud volume but the music was disappointing. It was either avant garde, or trying to be and not succeeding very well, at least by my standards, or sort of new age indigenous.
I liked the more traditional of the performances best.
We left at about 11:00 and people were still coming in. I think they must have gone on all night.
One day I did a nice walk to El Lechero, an ancient, supposedly sacred gum tree.
The tree is said to renew the energy of those who touch it. Legend has it, El Lechero and nearby Lago San Pablo are the remains of two lovers from ancient rivaling families who were trying to escape to live freely with one another. They were caught in their attempt, and the lovers turned into the tree and lake—-always to remain side by side. You can see all three of the valleys’ volcanoes from this spot.
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