Shopping
Needless to say, there are amazing things to buy as well as things to look at that if you did buy, would not know what to do with. But it's hard to look at all the cool stuff and not want to bring it home anyway.
Otavallo is perhaps the most well known open market near Quito. We stopped here on the way to Sara's family house in Ibarra. Here, you can find things from all over the place, and much of it is things you'd never expect!
This mask was one of many reproductions of local masks used in various ceremonies today
In the old part of Quito there is an area called 'gringolandia' where many American's and others spend much time. There are lots of touristy shops, coffe houses, restaurants, book stores, and hostels weree people who are in the university or in language schools tend to congretate. This foto is of The Magic Bean, one of the more well known restaurants. My t shirt came from here. We spent some time wandering around here after visiting downtown Quito.
These little figurines are made by hand, one at a time out of a 'dough made from flour and some other ingredients I didn't catch. Then they are painted and fired. Thse cost about 50 cents each. The doll, however, was quoted to us at $20. This particular market was located about 15 km northeast of Quito and is well out of the normal areas tourists would go. When we were there, it was a mid-week evening and the place was teeming with activity. We were the only non-locals.
Here is a small meat market on the same street. Stuff hangs in the window until it is sold or is so bad that it gets thrown out the back!
On the other hand, there are places like this that are as modern as anything you might find in the US.
