Otavalo Ecuador
Pictorial: “… feelings presented in a pictorial form.” The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English
Sometimes words fail me; the following images illustrate how Life offers precious rewards throughout the day and night. These images represent volumes of memories from the past few days. Enjoy, Z
Otavalo Ecuador
Otavalo Ecuador
Otavalo Ecuador
Quito Ecuador
Quito (“Blanca”)
Quito Ecuador Reflections
Quito – Museum of Modern Art
Cayambe Ecuador – Grasping new concepts — North to the left…
Otavalo Ecuador – From the rooftop; could the view get any lovelier?
Otavalo Ecuador – Lovely!
Otavalo Ecuador – “I think I just saw two black cows going down the street..”
The black-cow story deserves its own post. Coming soon…
See more illustrations of REWARDS on the Daily Post Photo Challenge.
Zeebra Designs & Destinations 
What a delight to see the little girl in her rubbish bin transportation.
I’m glad that you liked that; seeing her perched there put a big smile in my heart, and I wanted to shadow them as they faded into the sunlight!
After Ecuador and you, one’s heart is never quite the same again. Thank you for these lovely photographs; timely reminders of a timeless people. Miss you much.
Dear Yayo! Smiles follow you around as well! I’ll bet that you loved the people of Otavalo, and they loved meeting you. You have a perpetual smile and the gift of infecting others with that smile. Come back pronto! Z
If only to bask in your brilliance, dear Lisa/z…perhaps even allow some of your genius to rub off on me….sooner than soon, i hope😊. Miss you much.
Beautiful people, and cows.
Yes, but no reindeer! I’ll try to take more images of the cows (and ponies) for you!
I swear to goodness, you live among the happiest people on earth!
You might be right, Hugh. Yes, they smile easily and embrace strangers into their neighborhoods! z
No wonder you smile a lot…
xoRRR
Yes, it’s very easy to smile here; there are smile opportunities everywhere if one opens the eyes and the heart.
one of the things I admire so much about you Lisa, is your ability to see the best in so many places and make the most of all situations…as an artist you see to always see the beauty….a wonderful quality and so glad you share what you see with us, whether from your imagination or from your lens…truly a gift for us all.
thank you, gwen! i think sometimes we need to experience a lot in order to realize that we’re all on different journeys, and we learn and teach as we find our way thru the maze. muchas grrrracias!
Love that garbage can taxi. 🙂
thanks, bob; it’s the people’s favorite for sure! maybe i should do a painting of that scene!
You should! A grand idea.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful images. I always look forward to seeing your latest photos of your beautiful adopted country.
you are so kind, and you remind me to sometimes step back and remember that these photos might magically transport others to the equator for a short timeout! i have some great images and stories to go with them and need to stop long enough to share them!
Lovely photos Z! All really great rewards! 🙂 Be well… ^..^
thanks, amiga.. your photos are always amazing and i love how i am able to visit that area comps to you! am trying to reclaim my wellness – after a 12-year absence, my allergies seem to be returning… z
Oooo….I thought I was dealing with allergies because all the spring blossoms are opening sending threads of pollen into the air. Turned out to be a cold… 😦
I especially appreciated Hugh’s comment about Ecuadorian smiles. Our friends here always return a smile with a smile. The kind of smile that fills the entire face and lets their inner peace radiate outward to all of us within the warm glow. It is easy to smile here when one is surrounded by happy content souls!
Great pictures and sentiments. JandM
you two definitely understand, but i think that we also have learned to reach out to the others with a smile, which opens doors to so many experiences. and we only have time to share the tip of the iceberg of stories!
love those children playing
they loved having an audience, and i praised them when they did well and i praised while chuckling when they hit the floor and rolled! thanks !
I, too, loved the girl in the bin. Why not? Lovely pictorial.
i was searching for bananas and was sidetracked with the light and shadow when i saw the parents coming down the street. it was a precious moment for sure that i’ll always remember.. the main thing is that it was so normal’ for them!
Thanks for the smiles, mine! ;>}}
thanks for adding more smiles to this post! how’s the weather in panama?
Beautiful photos Lisa!
Lovely photos of the life there. I had to smile at the child in the trash can. Here, that would get the parents in trouble.
ha! you are right! i never thought about that being a ‘no-no’ way to transport a child.. sigh, we’re robbing our children of their innocence and a free and ‘normal’ childhood.
What happy memories, Z!!!!! Contagious happy too! 🙂 Happy March and new week ahead! 🙂 xx
yes amiga, happy march! i’m sure that the people of your area are equally happy, especially when they bask in your attention!
Wow how can you not love these scenes – you’ve such an eye for what translates so well with the lens. I love that little girl in the rubbish bin and the one of Quito. What beautiful memories for you to share with us.
Thanks! I am writing from a taxi while Silvana and I wait on some food “to go”.. we’re between Otavalo and Quito – it’s been a long weekend but one full of amazing moments.
If anything like the story of your photographs – well worth it. Have a safe journey Lisa ~
Z, I love the picture of Blanca in the chair. She looks so welcoming and witty. I bet she has some stories. BTG
She was an amazing woman, and I sat beside her in the chair her daughter vacated. We had an instant bond and a great conversation. She was amused that I wanted to take her photo – she looked so regal sitting there!
These ARE rewarding. Especially the balloon and girl in the trash can convertible. 😉
I think the little girl in the trash can wins the people’s choice!
Silvana and I had a great day today – we went to the raptor center… amazing birds, even an american eagle!
Now a South American eagle (expat?)
Awesome and now we’re watching a film about the Galapagos, those people who came there in the 30s and murder, etc. have you heard of that?
That’s great that you’re watching the movie; there are lots of interesting stories about people who settled in the Galapagos. I’ve not seen the film; let me know if you recommend seeing it!
I recommend it a lot, esp since there’s a ton of original footage shot in the 30s. It’s “The Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden” . We had planned a trip to Ecuador last year and wanted to go to the Galapagos, but heard so many stories about crime in the beach towns hat we didn’t go 😦
i was warned more about crime in mississippi last sept/oct than in all of my years combined in latin america! i’ll try to find that movie – thanks!
I was the scared one, he wanted an adventure (and surf)
Somehow seeing real people doing real things with actual food items, animals, etc makes up for all the artifice we’re surrounded with in modernity. I occasionally find myself at odds with the disconnect from reality that has become the new normal.
You’re right, and the closeness to the earth is one very strong trait of many who live here in the Andes. They rightfully acknowledge their respect to Mother Nature (Pachamama)
Great photo diary of these lovely people, Lisa.The child in the trash can is tops.
Thanks, Lynn! I’m so glad that you and Ron have been here and know exactly where all of this is happening. Did you visit ‘El Lechero” the old tree at the top of the hill that overlooks lago san pablo?
No, I guess we missed that one. Our guides were our expat friends and we saw what they knew about. I’ll just have to go back. Right?? 🙂
of course; silvana and i had a great time and were there for about 24 hours, but we squeezed a lot into that time. she’s heading to chile in 2 weeks to start her masters studies (2 years)
Give our well wishes to Sylvana as she works on her masters in Chile. How exciting.
Love you travel stories, thanks for sharing the photos also.
Beautiful photographs…. Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀
It’s a toss up for my fav, the little girl, of course is on the list but Blanca with her beautiful smile takes first. You can see her joy reflected in her eyes 🙂
Yes, dear Blanca’s fierce spirit burns through the image, and the ‘little girl moment’ would make anyone smile. I wanted to follow that trio, but I suspected they would not appreciate the intrusion…
What a **beautiful spirit**!! Thanks so much for that smile… 🙂 I must visit one day. I’m in awe by those kind, wise eyes.
thanks.. i did not have time to return and tell her ‘goodbye,’ but that’s ok, because i know where she lives and will return! yes, you must visit one day!
What a lovely photo journal! The sweet elderly lady (probably about my age) was the one that got to me. What sparkling eyes! What serenity in her smile! Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing these reality statements to us. Reminds me so much of Morocco! ♥ Alia
She is a lovely lady, though I did not ask her age. WE formed an instant bond, and I look forward to returning and seeing her again.. Thank you, amiga!
A post full of lovely memories Lisa. I look forward to the cow story…
Ecuador keeps calling. Hope we can answer that call someday soon. Beautiful post lisa.
Oh, what a delightful gallery of scenes from Otovalo! Of course the one of the child being carried in the plastic bin, complete with Mickey Mouse balloon is a real winner for me. 🙂 Gorgeous, happy post, Lisa.
Sometimes words aren’t necessary. Life passes by beautifully enough as it is. 🙂
The little girl in the ‘bin’! Fabulous 🙂 And ‘Blanco’. What a smile! 🙂