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Otavalo Trip 2

We spent last weekend in a small town called Otavalo where we engaged in activities that ranged from lounging around in the luxurious home of a nice woman that Jenny met on the plane trip home in December (and who let us stay there for free) to watching 3 foot indigenous women drag 500 pound pigs across a busy street to a large animal market. The town was cool, traditional, but small enough to see in a morning. The main draw was this woman´s vacation home, where we just chilled out, cooked, and enjoyed the roof-top balcony view pictured below. The bonus was the early morning animal trading- also pictured below. Many things were seen on this fine day, some welcomed, some a little shocking.

After eating many a cuy, we were curious to see what these greasy, chicken like tasting animals looked like alive. We have seen the charcoaled version stretched over a spit, but never the live version. It turns out that they are just really just chubby hamsters which are handled and sold like apples- grabbed, waven, and thrown into bags by the dozen. Apparently, there is a reason why they uphold the mystery standard in ¨mystery meat.¨

Fiestas in Ecuador

Ecuadorians love their fiestas. Despite harsh economic conditions and an unstable political system, it seems like around here, there is always something to celebrate. In December the city shuts down for the Fiestas de Quito. It is a celebration of independence. Cultural events such as bull fights, plays and concerts abound. The cultural event we couldn´t pass up was the traditional Chiva.Once a year these infamous party buses emerge from their hiding places to spread holiday cheer. The buses are open air vehicles equipped with benches that cruise around the city with no particular destination (unless you run out of booze and then it´s "to the liquor store for a fill up!") The cool people however hang out on the rooftop terrace where they dance the night away to a brass band. The most important chiva crew member is the man who yells "Duck!" when a low hanging cable or bridge is in danger of injuring someone. Despite his warnings, chiva accidents are inevitable. Last year, Jay was concentrating so hard on his slick salsa moves that he didn´t hear the duck warning. He was biffed by a cable but thought no one noticed so he continued dancing. A few minutes later a pal said, "Jay, you have a huge black mark on your forehead." This year Jenny was following Jay from one chiva to another. When Jay started to climb up the back of the bus he biffed Jenny in the nose. She thought no one noticed and continued to party until Jay asked her why she was bleeding. Party wounds are more priceless than battle wounds. Below are some pictures to document our intense cultural investigations.

Another fiesta we celebrated this past weekend was Carnival. Carnival in Ecuador is basically one big water balloon fight. Even your allies are enemies. Parades and dancing are common but if you dare step outside your house be prepared for a full attack of water and spray foam like these poor people. We don´t know them but all´s fair in Carnival war.

- Jay and Jen