Tags
Chocho Beans, Lupines, Otavalo Aniimal Market, Otavalo Ecuador, Otavalo Saturday Market, What to do in Otavalo
Stained glass artwork scrapes the skies over Otavalo Ecuador.
The Aya Uma mask is an important icon for the June Solstice Festival.
There are subtle colors and explosions of colors in the Otavalo Ecuador area; one can sample the quiet hues of the landscape or take a giant immersion in the Saturday market in town. There are colors to suit all moods and personalities!
Let’s start with a leisurely walk in the mountains that overlook Otavalo.
An afternoon trek between Otavalo and Volcano Imbabura (Ecuador) offers glimpses of volcanoes, lakes, and pastoral fields.
Lago San Pablo
Splashes of color from quinoa against a backdrop of ‘chocho.’
This variety of quinoa is much more colorful than the ‘standard’ pale variety often sold in markets.
“Chocho” (lupine – Lupinus mutabilis) legumes sweep the landscape.
Back in Otavalo…
Locally-grown vegetables are sold in various locations in town.
Across the main highway, Saturday’s animal market offers memorable photo moments.
How many piglets?!
“Cuy” (Guinea Pigs) and Chickens were popular items for sale in the animal market.
Some of the just-purchased animals tagged along into the center section of town…
Papaya, Mango and Watermelon
The colorful fruits prep the eye for the colors of the market.
After a quiet trek through the farming area, one finds an explosion of colors in town. Every Saturday the town swells into one of the largest outdoor markets in South America, and vendors crowd the streets with displays of textiles, jewelry, produce, ceramics and lots and lots of color!
Let’s go shopping!
Wouldn’t this crown of feathers make you feel important?
Remember the acrylic painting of the Aya Uma mask that got lost in the winter storm?
One hears many stories about Duendes (trolls) and Brujitas (little witches) in this area of the Andes.
After a long day of walking and perusing items for sale, one can find a rooftop perch at the Mexican restaurant by the Plaza de los Ponchos. Relax and watch the day come to an end while pondering how to squeeze so many colorful moments into one post!
Volcano Cotacatchi beyond the Plaza de los Ponchos.
Thanks, Ailsa at Where’s my Backpack, for this Colourful Challenge!
Z
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
Talk about color OD!!!! It must take days to recover. Didn’t everything seem black and white after this? Wonderful experience… Happy Wednesday, Z! 🙂
I have been to Otavalo many times, but this was my first time to experience the Saturday market. Yes, it was a total overdose in color, and quite inspiring! I’ve been too busy to paint, yet I’ve sketched a lot.
thanks amiga.z
Those colours just pop and it is a real delight to see so many happy faces.
Yes, the people are so kind and seem very happy. There is a sense of calm that’s not often found in more ‘advanced’ cultures. They are our teachers if we will pay attention!
Maybe they are calm because life doesn’t seem to be so rushed. They do not have our “toys” ie technology, to take up time and distract them from just living life and interacting with family and friends.
Great photos for this challenge! I want that hat with the mohawk! 🙂
yes, that hat is quiet unique, isn’t it? i hope that it made you smile! thanks! lisa/z
Colourful indeed, Lisa. What a glorious display you have given us.
thanks; yes, it’s almost an overdose in color – for those who can see all of the colors of our rainbow!
What a feast for the eyes, I too want the Mohawk I have just the skateboarder to wear it😀
i can picture you wearing that mohawk! your smile would outshine the colors! shall i send one down the andes via the magic carpet?
It’s no wonder you are at home in that world, with your eye for color and appreciation for the little things around you that most of us ignore. Happy Thanksgiving, Z.
thanks, hugh! i plan to attempt to make ‘quinoa dressing’ from quinoa bought at the local market for a whole dollar!
happy thanksgiving to you and your loved ones as well. the weather up there looks horrid, and i’m glad i’m not traveling through airports at this time!
Z, wow. I overwhelmed. I started picking favorites from the horn of plenty. What vivid colors. scenery, people, animals. I love the woman standing in the doorway to the shop, the chocho with the mountain background, the colorful Mohawk ski cap with the artificial head rest wearing , the stain glass birds and so on. You have a skill for making us feel like we are there. Have a great Thanksgiving. BTG
you are right, and it’s color/saturation overload when there! it’s easy to be inspired! i’m glad you felt like you took a mini vacation to the middle of the world!
happy holidays!
Fabulous! I love all the colorful merchandise, but the landscape is beyond words. I had no idea it was so beautiful.
Beautiful art, landscape and people. I am not the least happy to see farm animals living a natural life. Imagine the reality to the animals in industrial farming, and sadly, they are too many and growing in numbers. I will remember “your” animals Z! 🙂
I love all the varied colors in each photo! That red quinoa is amazing! Hugs to you and Happy Thanksgiving! ^..^
This back so many wonderful memories! Thank you.
Alison
love all the photos but especially the stained glass Happy Thanksgiving Lisa 🙂 Hugs
What a perfect challenge for you, Lisa. Otavalo’s markets and hiking around Lago San Pablo years ago were two highlights of our trip. The pictures of pointed toe shoes was a surprise. Happy Thanksgiving, Lisa. We’re in Memphis with family.
Beautiful post amiga! I would love to be there right now. I want that colorful mohawk, well I would buy so much. Love that last picture what a view.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
I’m jealous of the that goat’s beard. And the rooster’s mohawk.
An explosion of color is right! We had so much fun at the Octavalo market. Too bad I couldn’t buy a lamb and carry it on my back. That picture is so funny. Incredible photos, Lisa.
Hi Lisa/Z what a world of vibrant colour you inhabit and record! I especially loved the stained glass art…and…Happy Thanksgiving!
Kaleidoscopic!!! Adore that Llama with a fringe! 🙂
thank you! the andes, its people and animals are all special
There they are — the quinoa and the lupine! I knew they would be around. I love the first set of pictures the most: the animal market, the wonderfully dressed women, the rabbits and goats. But my goodness — where did those white puppies come from? They certainly look like one of our “fashionable” breeds. I can’t remember the name, now. Of course, I don’t know much about dogs, and it may be that our “fancy” breed came from your part of the world! (I found the breed I was thinking of: Bichon Frise. That sounds more French than Ecuadoran. Maybe some French expats had some puppies!)
i have always admired lupine flowers but never knew they were also nutritious as a bean-legume. they are stunning in the landscape, especially paired with the mature quinoa.
yes, there are some fancy breed here – i am always amazed at the prices people will pay for animals when the have so few material possessions…
I am pleased you squeezed in all those photos.
The people how I would love to meet them and see the amazing animal photos.
The colours your post is the next best thing to being there.
Your blog brings it all alive, a real joy, thanks Lisa.
it would be wonderful if both of you found your way over to this side of the pacific. you’d love walking the andes and interacting with the people. z
That is something that we would love to do.
One never knows what the future may bring.
I mostly go with the flow of circumstances.
I am lucky Pauline has an adventurous nature and is wonderful at organising.
What a beautiful post, Zee! Those stained glass birds are to die for, and then we have all those smiling faces, the kids, the pups in a box, the crafts…. nothing we lack for! Thanks so much for sharing! Hope you have a colourful festive season. I’m sure you will! 🙂
Wow! Well, I’d say you met the challenge. I think I’ll have to come visit you one of these days. It’s amazing how similar some aspects of this culturea are when compared with the Moroccan mountain people’s culture (colors, ways of carrying children/animals/bundles, foods.) You have reassured me that one cannot have “too many photos” in one post. Happy Solstice