Saturday, December 08, 2007
Back to Quito, and a trip to Otavalo
Yesterday I made it back to Quito by way of a long bus ride. Boooooring.
This morning, however, I got up at the crack of dawn (6 AM) to check out the biggest artisan market in Latin America - the Saturday market in Otavalo. The trip there was uneventful other than a very slow bus ride, but that's to be expected. I should also say I got ripped off on the price of the bus there - I paid $4 instead of the $2 I should have... grrr....
Otavalo's Saturday market is a sight to see. It's huge! Beyond belief huge. Block, after block, after block of stalls manned by vendors selling all sorts of things. There are textiles, jewellery, toys, paintings, clothing, food, consumer staples, whatever. There is a separate food market, where one can buy spices, juices, ingredients both cooked and raw... you name it. Huge! There is also, apparently, a live animal market that I did not venture to for lack of interest in seeing soon-to-be-slaughtered guinea pigs and other fine sources of animal protein.
So, today, commencing at 6 AM, I went on a shopping trip. I feel vaguely dirty. I even spent more money than I thought I would have. However, there's an escalation of committment that comes as part of the bargaining process (and you bargain for everything). If you lowball a vendor, and he (or she) hits your bid, you're obligated to fork over the cash. I got some bargains on things that I didn't necessarily want. Ultimately, it's all for the better; when am I going to be around here next? Besides, the amounts of money involved are still relatively pitiful. The biggest problem is that I now have to transport all my newfound posessions to Canada, and I'm quickly running out of luggage space.... hmmm.
Speaking of which: Tomorrow I fly back to Toronto. Tonight is a triple birthday party at Patricio's place. I think the day might get longer and longer... maybe no sleep until I'm in the air.
This morning, however, I got up at the crack of dawn (6 AM) to check out the biggest artisan market in Latin America - the Saturday market in Otavalo. The trip there was uneventful other than a very slow bus ride, but that's to be expected. I should also say I got ripped off on the price of the bus there - I paid $4 instead of the $2 I should have... grrr....
Otavalo's Saturday market is a sight to see. It's huge! Beyond belief huge. Block, after block, after block of stalls manned by vendors selling all sorts of things. There are textiles, jewellery, toys, paintings, clothing, food, consumer staples, whatever. There is a separate food market, where one can buy spices, juices, ingredients both cooked and raw... you name it. Huge! There is also, apparently, a live animal market that I did not venture to for lack of interest in seeing soon-to-be-slaughtered guinea pigs and other fine sources of animal protein.
So, today, commencing at 6 AM, I went on a shopping trip. I feel vaguely dirty. I even spent more money than I thought I would have. However, there's an escalation of committment that comes as part of the bargaining process (and you bargain for everything). If you lowball a vendor, and he (or she) hits your bid, you're obligated to fork over the cash. I got some bargains on things that I didn't necessarily want. Ultimately, it's all for the better; when am I going to be around here next? Besides, the amounts of money involved are still relatively pitiful. The biggest problem is that I now have to transport all my newfound posessions to Canada, and I'm quickly running out of luggage space.... hmmm.
Speaking of which: Tomorrow I fly back to Toronto. Tonight is a triple birthday party at Patricio's place. I think the day might get longer and longer... maybe no sleep until I'm in the air.
# posted by Alex Perel @ 6:28 PM 
