Otavalo

So here we are in the beautiful city of Otavalo! I last left off on July 1st getting prepared to travel New Town Quito that day. It was nice there, much nicer and not nearly as intimidating to walk around in, though we hear it´s more dangerous. We wandered the giant museum there, and then intended on seeing the Botanicle Gardens and one other big feature in which I can´t remember the name of, but they were closed by the time we arrived. We walked what seemed like never ending miles in the rain through New Town until we caught a cab back to our hostel.

That night was our last night in Quito, and damn did we have a good time. We rounded up a roudy group of 12 or 14 of us throughout our hostel, most younger and all adventurous, on a last minute decision to go out for the night. Afterall, it was the night to party! We rounded up 4 or 5 cabs and headed our train of tourists to the downtown area of Quito. We stopped at the square with a small fountain in the center surrounded by bars and restraunts. We ate at a place where all they serve are different kinds of Crepes. It was absolutely delicious, as I had never had crepes besides the sweet ones loaded with butter and sugar. After that we headed to the club! It was our last night in Quito, why not go explore the Ecuadorian night life eh? To put it mildly I got absolutely drunk as Alex and Gary decided to feed me tequila shots, large tequila shots at that. Let´s also add that was after 4 or 5 beers. We all good feeling and I ended up dancing like crazy, up on a balcony, in front of everyone with some locals. Our friend Dor, who was from our hostel and is originally from Isreal, but is travelling just like us, fell backwards off the balcony to the lower level in front of a giant group of locals. I have to say, as i was standing right by him, it looked so damn funny! It was a moment that was absolutely pricess, even though he was lucky not to get badly hurt. He was quite the character, someone I could easily get along with, as he totally looked and dressed like a skater/snowboarder, and was pretty much a wild one, hung over every morning at our hostel. We ended up getting along really well throughout that night, and I regret not getting and contact information from him. We all ended up having a blast that night, for our last night in Quito, and the next morning had breakfast and said our goodbyes.

The morning following let´s just say I had a throbbing headache and I was sweating alcohol. It was hot outside, and walking was a bit rough. I was really just excited for a 2 hour bus ride to our next destination, where I figured I would catch up on the negative hours of sleep I had racked up through the last few days, and hopefully get well before our arrival to Otavalo. The bus actually ended up being incredibly nice, equipped with fully reclineable chairs and a large TV in front, though it didn´t much matter to me as all I cared about was my music and my sleep. We got on our way, and I quickly turned my head and shut my eyes, listening to such soothing music as August Burns Red, my personal band Bring Me Solace, and Deftones, the kind of music that really just puts you right to sleep. I really started to daze off and love life as Gary taps me to point out the scenery. I have to say it was nice, but I was more than set on sleeping and curing my hangover. Little did I know, my next 2 hours would be sightseeing, and definately not sleeping. Even though it was a bit tough, I appreciate Gary showing me the things I would have missed. You only live once and I am in a place that I may never end up again, I shouldn´t be sleeping anyways!

We finally arrived at Otavalo, a beautiful, much smaller and more relaxed city than Quito, and you feel much more safe walking around. This city is also very well known for their market, much like our Saturday Market, but much larger. Our first evening we spend just looking around. Our hostel is quite nice, equipped also with a balcony, though not nearly as nice. The room is much larger, as well as the bathroom and we have the room to ourselves. It´s not the popular, young traveller, party style hostel, but it´s relaxing.
Our first full day we got a tour high up the hills to a Lake along ancient travel path of the Incas. Directly above us was a summit roughly 4,600 Meters high that if we wanted we could climb up. The cab was parked at about 3,800 meters and we climbed a hill 400 meters at about a 45 degree angle to a ridge overlooking the lake and Otavalo. It was a tough climb. Even though it wasn´t too long, it was so damn steep it was ridiculous. We stood directly next to an ancient Inca trail that was a 3 foot or so ditch that was their pathway along the ridge travelling from Otavalo to Quito, in which they could do it in 30 hours. We gazed right up at the summit in front of us, as the clouds barreled all around us. We headed back and spent the last of the evening wandering the giant market. I got much of my shopping done for my ¨¨buy for¨list, and it relieved some pressure.
Today was pretty damn intense. We circled a giant crater around a lake, which ended up being a 12 mile hike, up and down stairs and traversing the mountain ridges. I realize for many people this isn´t much, but to put it in perspective, people train here for Everest, and it´s a popular area people come to train to climatize themselves. I also am not one to hike much, and it´s not that I don´t like it, but for those who know me well, know why - It is really hard for me especially if it´s straining. This was definately a bit straining. When I first glanced at what we were about to do, I though to myself ¨there is no fuc*in way¨¨. It was quite intimidating, as it looked like it would take not hours, days... I have to say it was really pretty, and almost more than anything, I am proud that I accomplished it. It took us 5 hours of up and down, climbing the mountain ridges, many times on a ridge of roughly 10 feet or so across with steep walls to both sides. I am damn proud of all of us to say the least...
Next was the one and only condor park of both Americas, where we wandered a zoo like area and got to see bird handlers fly birds around for us. One handler threw his bird over the giant hillside and it flew off into the distance far over the city, only to come back to it´s trainer. That alone was one of the best things I have seen, to see birds so loyal to their trainers. After that we went to a famous waterfall, wandering through a forest full of Eucalyptis trees. It was quite a nice walk, luckily quite short as we were pretty damn tired by this point. The end of our evening ended in a small tour as it was getting dark to a small area where the Indigenous people of the area live and make most of the goods you buy at the market. It was our own private little tour, going to a instrument makers home, as she let us play with instruments, and checking out a guy who maked much of the clothing and dyes.

Tomorrow we leave, heading for the beach up north. I am tired, and I feel I have written plenty for you to read in one sitting. In fact, I would be honored if you did indeed read this is one sitting! It is time to go to the square for a few minutes for some live music, and then head to bed. To everyone back home - Happy 4th of July! Adios!