Otavalo and Cotacachi

Old lady at Otavalo market
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After a long journey from Banos we spent some time in Otavalo, north of Quito. Otavalo is famous for its Saturday market (apparently the most famous market in South America). Many local people come from far to sell there handicrafts, food, textiles and cattle. The textile market is on Plaza de Ponchos, the main square of Otavalo. Here we bought a couple of hammocks, but decided not to buy anything else as our rucksacks are getting heavier and heavier!

It is a nice place to relax and watch the locals sell their goods. The local women here were many gold necklaces and a lot of coral jewellery, they almost remind you of the Karen tribe in Thailand (without the long necks).