urbanblitz

I had headed up to Otavalo on Thursday, so that I would be able to make the artisan tour with Zulaytur on Friday. I heard great things about the tour in the guidebooks. Except that they didn’t mention that the whole tour would be in spanish. Thank god, I knew enough spanish to get by. Pretty much we visited a lot of homes in Peguche to see yarn spinning, felting, knitting and weaving. I felt it was less of a tour about the life of the artisan but more of a how to sell the tourist the final product. The most exciting thing, was when a guinea pig had ran up to me at one of the homes. It was really cute, but too bad it was going to be someone’s meal in a few hours.

After the tour, I had gotten lunch with Diego and Felipe. I thought they were a couple but I was mistaken. Oh wells. During lunch an Argentian band came to play some music at the cafe. It was quite lovely.

Then I headed back to the hotel. Senora Arrina was going to accompany me to the Parque de Condor. Gaby had suggested that I check out this sight when I head up to Otavalo. It was quite chilly at the Park, and Senora Arrina kept pestering me for my jacket. After the 50th time, I just gave her my jacket. I really didn’t want to, and I regretted this a few days later. We stayed till about 4:30 to watch the bird show. And I even got to get a picture taken with a baby eagle. I think it was a baby eagle.

All in all it was a very productive day. I even found a restaurant on Sucre street where I met a waitress who invited me to hear some Andes music. But since I really didn’t have my bearings in this new city, I was not inclined to go out late at night. While I was heading back to my hotel, I ran into the group Pura Zambo which was the Argentian band from lunch. It was really cool that they remembered me from lunch. They had invited me to their gig on Saturday night before saying goodbye. People are so friendly in Otavalo.