Week 1: Sunday to Tuesday

I read that Sunday was the Leather Market in Cotacachi.  Although I have no interested in buying anything, I thought it would be interesting to go as Cotacachi is noted for their leather goods.  Also, Cotacachi is only about 25 minutes by bus from Otavalo.  So I took a morning bus and got in town about 11AM.  Immediately, I was impressed by the lack of people.  Yes, there were lots of leather shops and there was a Sunday market.  But the market only consisted of about 15 stalls.  Compared to the Saturday market in Otavalo this was less than nothing.  Apparently though the word has gotten around (just not to me) as there were very few tourists or other buyers here.  By few, I mean less than 30!  Thus, I wrote this trip off as a bust and returned to Otavalo just in time for the afternoon rains.  Since it rained most of the afternoon, I stayed in my studio and read and watched TV.  It is amazing now that I can watch shows on by Ipad that I have recorded on my DVR at home.  All I need is a good wifi connection!

On Monday I took a day trip by bus to Ibacca.  It is a city about 50 minutes north of Otavalo.  My  first shop in town was at the nice looking modern train station.  

There was a map inside showing the train route, starting in Otavalo and going north to Ibacca and beyond.  However when I inquire as to the schedule, I discovered it runs once a week!  So much for my thought on taking it back to Otavalo.  Then I walked around town and saw this nice plaza with the old barracks (being renovated) in the background 

And this Palm tree 

Actually, this Palm tree is known as La Esquina del Coco.  It is the city's pride as it was designated the new center of the city after the city was destroyed in the 1868 earthquake.  I had planned on going to the museum in town to check out their gold displays but I found out my guidebook was wrong.  The museum is closed on Monday!  Oh well, I enjoyed a nice vegetarian lunch where the owner thought I might be from Italy.  She wanted to speak Italian to me.  But no worries, I understand Italian as well as I do Spanish - of course that means very little.  After lunch, I went into their marketplace.  It was huge and like a maze.  It had more meat stalls than I have ever seen in one market.  Also, they had florists right beside meat and produce stalls.  The florists were trimming roses by the dozens,  I guess this is a great place to grow roses with its moderate year around climate.  The market was interesting but didn't offer anything I wanted so I was back on the bus and back with Otavalo by 5PM.  Just in time for another afternoon shower.  This one only lasted about 40 minutes.

Today, Tuesday I took the bus from Otavalo to Quito.  From the bus station, I took a taxi to the place I booked on airbnb.  The guy I corresponded with is out of town so I am dealing with his mother.  Although she is very nice, her English is just slightly better than my Spanish.  That doesn't make for a good combination.  Any way, after I got my stuff in the room, I took a Trole Bus downtown.  These buses have their own lanes on most of the roads and have stations like a train might have.  They are cheap but have their issues (more about that in a minute).  I got off downtown and visited the National Museum.  It was very nice and have a nice gold display among their pre-Spanish items.  After the museum, I had lunch at an Indian restaurant (very good but small portions).  Then I decided to go down to the old town.  So I went back to the Trole.  This time The bus was more than packed.  I knew there were pickpockets galore and tried to be careful.  But I wasn't careful enough!  

I had both my wallet and pocket in my one pocket and I had my hand on them almost at all times.  However these pickpockets are slick.  They blocked the door and had everyone there cramped together.  When I finally broke through and out the door, my phone was in my pocket but my wallet wasn't!  Still, I have myself somewhat to blame.  Under those conditions, I should have realized the exit door block routine and I shouldn't have had anything over $50 in my wallet.  I think I had about $90 today.  Any way, things could have been much worst.  Thankfully, I wasn't hurt.  Also, they didn't get my phone, passport, credit cards or money belt.  I guess I have to chalk this up as an expensive lesson.  Still, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.  

Oh well, I hope to go back down to old town tomorrow for a morning walking tour - being much more careful this time!  Then tomorrow evening, I meet up with my OAT guide and maybe some of the folks that will be on the Ecuadorian part of the Machu Picchu tour.