Ecuador – Markets – Travelogue 2
Otavalo visitors usually come to experience the famous and economically most important Indian market in South America. On Saturdays, and to a lesser extent also on Wednesdays, the otherwise extinct city center is transformed into a huge, yet relatively manageable market zone. The central point of the colorful sales activity is the Plaza de los Ponchos.
The Otavalo Indians, who are tradition-conscious in their traditional costumes, are industrious members of a cultural society based on a total of 75 independent communities. They are considered wealthy and respected. Traditional weaving art, which was combined with appropriate commercialization, allows the inhabitants of Otavalo to occupy a special position within Ecuador today. However, the modest prosperity did not lead to a neglect of Indian identity. Again and again we find food stalls, as they are typical for the highlands of Ecuador. Large pots are placed on two or three stones. A lively fire is lit underneath. Then the ingredients are cooked in the cooking pots and then immediately sold from the street to the hungry guests.
The harvested fruit and vegetables are decorated on a tarpaulin directly onto the street. Some good pictures can only be taken handheld in passing…..
South America – Ecuador – Women sit on the floor and offer their goods at the market
The impressions are breathtaking, as are the various smells from the products on offer. The clothing of the inhabitants corresponds to their very own customs. The women of Otavalo wear long black skirts and white colorfully embroidered blouses. Many have several gold-shimmering glass bead necklaces around their necks and red coral ribbons around their wrists. Others don’t wear shoes to stay in touch with Pacha Mama – “Mother Earth”. Almost all women have long wide scarves thrown over their shoulders.
Some particularly beautiful souvenirs for those who stayed at home can also be purchased by tourists. Passionate photographers will also get their money’s worth in the swarm of people and material. You can find people in Indian costumes, fruit stands, bundles of wool, market criers, sacks of potatoes and vegetables, pigs ready for transport, agile porters. Special attention should be paid to the nimble pickpockets.
Mainly inexpensive woven articles of all kinds, but also other textile articles are offered for sale. Bargaining is common and fun. However, the quality of the goods on display is often not of high quality. Mass production is the order of the day in Otavalo these days, although the same thing is almost always offered everywhere.
