2 weels in...

This weekend i got out of the city and bussed to Otavalo, a large town oh, 2 1/2 hours from quito to see one of the best markets around. i instantly relaxed as i took in the open space of arid highlands. the mountains are impressive in their youth- high peaked, volcanic, lacking trees but with small patches of agriculture clinging high above the roads and towns. There was sun breaking through the usual persistent grey, and the beauty of the greeness distracted me from the careening mountain pass driving and, unbelievalby, our bus was drafting the bus in front of us.
Otavalo feels small, even cozy and easy to navigate. my weekend partner, Anna of London and i found a good-n-cheap hostel for the night and explored the streets and drank some damn good mojitos. by 5am the vendors are setting up in the streets and the sounds of music and scuffle easily reached our room above. for breakfast i found a REAL cup of coffee from ground beans and it tasted like heaven. what is called coffee is most often instant coffee, and not strong, even in Quito.
i had decided before hand to look for woven textiles, and paintings in miniature in the theme of ecuadorian life and myth with trains riding across open sky and broken bells with people climbing out all with cotopaxi in the background. In the throngs of people, and i might add, not many tourists, i wandered, taking in the colors, patterns, smells, variety of goods, food, feeling excited, happy, taking it in. i learned to barter. i met many friendly open people with easy smiles and indulged in super touristy food of pizza- which was extraordinary, as well as hand squeezed orange juice. i was impressed by the diversity and beauty of traditional dress. some women wear white, lacy blouses with black wool across the shoulder and as a skirt. others a variation with turquoise velvet or valour across the shoulder. lovely.
there is more, but my computador is being finicky and i happen to be fairly tired at the moment of reasons to be explained later...chow!