Otavalo

Our day started with devotions on Mark 10: 13-16. I have always considered receiving the Kingdom of God as a little child meant with an open mind, random abandon, and joy. After seeing these children at the orphanage who receive so much care and love but do nothing to earn it, has put this passage in a whole new light. Just like these children,we have done nothing to deserve Gods love and grace. We need only trust in Him, and then receive it. There are no strings attached; we don't have to do anything do get it; it's ours for the taking.

After breakfast and devotions, we became tourists. We boarded a big bus at 8:00 and drove out of Quito, down hills into valleys, and up the other sides, over and over, for 2 hours. The vegetation changed from sparse and arid areas near Quito with sandstone cliffs, some with large caves in them, to green and lush fields up the hillsides. We saw at least 4 volcanoes on the far edges of the valleys, but usually their peaks were in the clouds so we couldn't see them well. The closer we got to Otavalo the more lush the vegetation became. We passed hundreds of hothouses where roses are grown for export. Finally we stopped at a place that overlooked a lake, where some indigeneous people in their native dress were waiting to be paid to have their picture taken with us. Some turned out pretty funny.

Guess who? The answer on tomorrow's blog.

Here is PA with Juanita the llama.

When we got to the Otavalo market we split up into 3 groups of 4, each with 1 person who could speak Spanish. We shopped for an hour and a half, amid stalls of brightly colored woven fabrics, sweaters, ponchos, finger puppets, wooden carvings, etched gourds, etc. Each booth was attended by indigeneous people in their native dress. We were told is is impolite to take their picture unless you buy something from them, and then if you ask permission most of them will let you. There were many who came up to us asking for money. We had been told not to give them any, so we just said "no".

As we entered the restaurant, there was a little boy herding ducklings!

At 12:30 we met back at the bus to unload all of our bags of goodies, and then headed for the "expensive" restaurant that Clark had told us was good. It was not good, it was great!!! The entrees were $5 - $7, and huge, and the beer $1.50 for a large bottle that most of us shared. There was live music to add to the ambiance.

After a delicious meal, we walked back through the market to pick up a few last things, then took the bus to a town to the north named Cotacachi. It had a a street full of very nice leather shops. Don and Al bought a belt, and Pastor Andy almost bought a leather cowboy hat, but we couldn't talk him into it.

PA and Russ were disappointed that they were already full from lunch. This particular establishment serves cuy (guinea pig), which is apparently a delicacy in Ecuador. ???

We got back on the bus and made the long trek back to Quite, up one hill and down the other. We had a light meal of a green salad, bbq'd chicken, and fresh bread from our local panaderia a block away.

It was a great day!! We miss you all, and hope you are all safe and well.

Love,
Kathy Wood