Friday, June 19, 2009

Otavalo Market


The Saturday Market in Otavalo is a pretty big deal. It's
supposed to be one of the largest Indigenous Markets in
all of South America. It was a great experience to see all
kinds of fruits and vegetables that I've never seen before.


At home, we're used to buying spices out of a bottle on the
supermarket shelf. Here, you can buy it by the kilo!


Also, all kinds of grains, nuts, rice...you name it!


We were turned off to the "fresh" chicken by watching
the woman who was selling it flick flies off of it with a wash
cloth. The different kinds of meat, including chickens, pigs
and guinea pigs would sit out all day in the hot sun...interesting.


Of course, the biggest attraction of the market is the large selection
of Indigenous crafts that are available to purchase. Miles after miles
of woven fabrics. Bargaining is the name of the game here, and you
never pay the price that is originally asked. We actually got some
pretty good deals.


We bought a couple of rugs from the woman that we will hang
on our walls back home.


Lynn talked me into buying this shaman's mask. I think she really
just wanted it for the knitting patterns, but maybe she has some
mysterious demons she wants me to scare away. Maybe I'm the
mysterious demon???

2 comments:

Jude said...

As a 14-year-old, I lived in Mexico for a summer with relatives. Although I didn't become a vegetarian until I was 18, visiting Mexican markets with meat hanging around was a pivotal experience in my transition to a meat-free life. This looks like an amazing market. Thanks for sharing.

andrea said...

Love the colors!