Otavalo Markets

Food stalls
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After a few days in Quito, we felt it was time to take a break, so we headed for the famous market town of Otavalo, a couple of hours north.

Although the main market happens on Saturday, even when we arrived on Thursday there was plenty to see on the Plaza los Ponchos.  We didn't buy anything the first day, however, partly because as the tourist numbers increased during the course of the afternoon, so did the prices.

All of a sudden a young bull broke free of his owner, lowered his head and charged, straight for us.

Traditionally dressed man.
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The next morning, bright and early, we headed back down to the markets.  The bargaining was much easier now, so easy in fact that all we had to do was wait, it seemed and the prices would drop.

A few hours later, having bought all round us, we headed back to the hotel with our purchases.  We had intended to hire a couple of bikes and explore the local area, but I fell asleep, for the whole afternoon!  That rather put paid to that idea.

The next morning was the morning of the main market.  We got up early and walked a short distance out of town to the animal market.  Before we even reached it, we could hear the squeals of the pigs and the anxious noises of the cattle.  Crossing the road we entered into a large press of people and animals.

Otavalo market
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At first, we saw pigs, pigs and more pigs, but as we progressed further we saw lambs, goat kids, even a llama.  Still further in, we came to the cattle area.  The cattle were quite agitated, unsurprisingly given how they were being pushed around.  We reached the end of the market area and turned around to head back.  All of a sudden a young bull broke free of his owner, lowered his head and charged, straight for us.  We scattered along with everybody else, just in time.

Otavalo market
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Back outside, we picked up some breakfast from one of the stalls on the roadside.  Heading back into town, we joined a throng of locals on their way to the big tourist market.  We had a look around the market, much bigger today than previously of course.  The prices weren't really as good as the day before and the bargaining far more difficult, but we did manage to get one tablecloth for a reasonable price.