Turning 28 in Otavalo ✨

24/2/23

I said by to Martin at the bus stop and then got my bus back to Quito. There I had to change bus terminal and take another bus to Otavalo, where I would meet Narja, another Mompiche friend I had re-met in Banos weeks later. I got a taxi between the terminals and got a bus to Otavalo pretty quickly, with just enough time to grab a corn on the cob with mayo and cheese (apparently something of a delicacy here), before heading off. Two and a bit hours later, I was in Otavalo. Again, the drive was beautiful, but sadly the man next to me who had the window seat had shit the curtains, so I only got small glimpses of the hills and valleys we were weaving through.

I arranged to meet Narja at a coffee shop when I arrived for a catch up and since my couchsurfing host Geovanny wasn’t quite ready. I had anticipated a slower journey to Otavalo so had told him the afternoon sometime and instead had arrived promptly at half 12ish. I got coffee and cake and then caught up with Narja, talking carnival, various other travel bits, London and plans for Colombia. Geovanny came to meet me at the cafe and then we walked to his to drop my stuff. Nadja left to do her own thing while I sorted myself out. We chilled in Geovanny’s for a bit and he played guitar, all improve, which was quite impressive and then we headed out to a nearby lake for a walk.

We caught the local bus and got off at the road side, walking down small lanes to the lake. It was beautiful and we walked through lots of reed plants which are apparently big business here, and are used to make rattan furniture. I got a fruit ice lollies afterwards which turned put to have salt in it which was a little bizarre! We got the bus back to town and then went to eat before meeting Narja to go to a nearby waterfall. I had the menu del dia with soup and of course, chicken and rice with a glass of juice.

After dinner, we got a cab to the entrance and walked up just before sunset. The walk through woods was pretty, and it was quieting down for the day with the market stalls mostly closed. We crossed a ‘bridge’ made of two beams with a large gap in between them and without any sides, wobbling along, while locals strode across confidently – classic! We saw some llama/alpacas on the way back. Then we headed back. We chilled, I played some guitar while Geovanny showered and then I went to bed.

25/2/23

It’s my birthdaaaaay!

Woke up and spoke to my parents, from the terrace looking out at the mountains as the sun rose up the valley. They were enjoying my birthday from sunny St David’s, a great spot! The filled me in on home news and gave me my present of a silver jewellery making workshop in Roath – local and very cool! Afterwards, I had tea made by Geovanny, sweet bread, and fresh fruit with granola and chia seeds before heading to meet Narja for the infamous Otavalo artesanal market. Yaaaaas! Geovanny also came, although at some point got bored and wandered off. He was meant to be meeting his aunt around lunchtime and there wasn’t a chance we would be done by then anyway! We weaved up and down the lines of stalls, scouring each carefully. I bought some colourful dangly earrings, and a cute ditsy floral set of choker, bracelet, ring and bracelet for $4 – what a bargain! Narja also fancied some new dungas, so we went on an extensive hunt and of course, I ended up buying some dungas too, lilac ones no less!! I also bought some more waist beads and miraculously resisted many a beautiful dream catcher! 😂😂

After a good few hours, we took a break to go for lunch. We thought we were done, but after a rest, a bagel, and a coffee and cake (you’ve got to one your birthday!), we headed back in search of the perfect embroidered white blouse for Narja and a final pair of beaded earrings for me. Afterwards, we were poofed! 💤

We went to get my bag from Geovanny’s because he had messaged to say that his sister had some problem which meant she needed I stay with him overnight and therefore he couldn’t host me. I’m a way, it was a good thing for me, because it meant Narja and I could leave from the same place in the morning to cross the border together. When we got to Geovanny’s, I couldn’t open the main door to get into the block of flats. I tried to buzz, but it was Saturday and everyone was out. We waited a little before waling back to Narja’s hostel. At least I could check in and I would go back later to collect my bag when Geovanny was there to sort the door. Another key incident! Keys 2 – Sarah 0!

We chilled a but in the hostel before Narja started cooking and I got a taxi back to Geovanny’s. I grabbed my bag, said bye and rushed back to my cute taxi driver who was nice enough to wait for me and it charge me any more. When I got back to the hostel, dinner was nearly ready. I was excited since we were having lots of veggies (and veggies aren’t really a thing in Ecuador) fried up with some veggie burgers. I offered ti do the washing up since Narja had cooked but she said that was not happening since it was my birthday! We drank beers on the balcony afterwards, and chatted with a French Swiss guy with stripey thief trousers, and then prepped for our border crossing the next day.