There wasn't much to share yesterday as we flew to Quito (via Guayaquil again) and got to our hotel at 7:15. We had a couple of minutes to change and we were off to dinner, this one was at a local restaurant, not in the hotel. It was yummy and I think I speak for most of us when I say mainland food is much better than Galápagos'.
Because 8 pm is no time for bed, I got the students out to La Ronda, where we did an evening walk on our first night in Quito. This time we were joined by the mini MI group so we were the tour guides. We showed them around like the pros that we are.
Today it was time to explore the northern part of Ecuador. We left the Pichincha province (where Quito is located) and headed North to the Imbabura Province. The home of the Otavalo Market one of the biggest textile markets in South America. The kids had a chance to see local goodies, practice their Spanish bargaining skills and walk around a small town.
We then headed to Peguche and visited a local family. There we watched a woman make alpargatas, hand made shoes from an aloe plant. Women wear blue and black ones while men, traditionally, wear white. While the maker's brother and sister know how to make alpargatas as well, they work in a different business. The sister who presented is keeping the family tradition alive so that the machine factories don't make such products extinct. She also spoke Spanish, a sign of her being educated as most in this indigenous community only speak Quechua. The husband showed us his pets: guinea pigs and chickens. We all know what he uses them for...
Speaking of lunch, we went to Cotacachi, a small town known for its leather goods. And... drum roll.... we tried guinea pig! Ok, not all of us and it was a creepy sight but delicious.
The Florida group is leaving tomorrow so they are all hanging out and saying bye. For our last eve together we went on a party bus that drove around Quito. We danced, tried cadelazo (non alcoholic version!) and waved to many locals passing by. We got to see many beautiful parts of Quito we haven't seen yet.
It's this time of the trip that kids are having a great experience but also are starting to miss home and their beds. Yet we have a lot more to see and they are surrounded by wonderful company. I'm proud of them for being just the way we are!
Tomorrow we start our two day adventure to the Riobamba region of Ecuador. Stay tuned for more!
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