Comments on: Otavalo and the Northern Highlands http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/ Seeing is believing ... Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:54:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1.2 By: Margarita http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-7 Margarita Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:26:51 +0000 http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-7 Always interesting to read a tourist's perception of one's own country... In most cases, we find ourselves numb to the "flaws", such as the pot holes, just because with all that is wrong, we would incessantly complain.... and certainly, that is not quality of life. It is only when the "gringo" points it all out, that we reflect on how inefficient the system is and wonder how it can actually function at all. Nonetheless, it all comes down to pros and cons and what really matters. As far as my priority as an Ecuadorian, I love the family bonding, I hope that is something you have experienced in Otavalo, as all the work is shared between family members, not just nuclear but extended. The importance of family is found within all the spheres, not just the personal. I can also honestly say that the beauty of this tiny country always inspires me to want to see more, experience more and ultimately do more to keep what is beautiful about it or to change what needs improvement. An insurmountable task, I know. If you have the privilege to see all that Ecuador has to offer, then I do not think one could leave disappointed, just maybe a little overwhelmed by the social injustice, yet still inspired by everything else. I hope that will be your case and of course, having great company, such as the Stanton-James family, is always essential. Makes life so much more enjoyable! Now, how to pack for the jungle? It is quite simple: 1. amazing digital camera, 2. insect repellent, 3. many pairs of socks, never can bring too many, 4. good pair of walking shoes, 5. bathing suit, 6. light clothes: tee-shirts and shorts, don’t need too many, 7. one long trouser, light 8. enough undies… unless you are James, and just don’t bother to wear any….9. if you are always cold like me or Mel, a light sweater… if you are always warm, you wont need it. 10. toiletries and towel, the basics and make sure you don’t repeat them with whoever else is going. Other than that… anything else would be just adding to the weight…and make sure you leave the jewelry at home…. Good luck and have a great trip!!! Always interesting to read a tourist’s perception of one’s own country… In most cases, we find ourselves numb to the “flaws”, such as the pot holes, just because with all that is wrong, we would incessantly complain…. and certainly, that is not quality of life. It is only when the “gringo” points it all out, that we reflect on how inefficient the system is and wonder how it can actually function at all. Nonetheless, it all comes down to pros and cons and what really matters. As far as my priority as an Ecuadorian, I love the family bonding, I hope that is something you have experienced in Otavalo, as all the work is shared between family members, not just nuclear but extended. The importance of family is found within all the spheres, not just the personal.
I can also honestly say that the beauty of this tiny country always inspires me to want to see more, experience more and ultimately do more to keep what is beautiful about it or to change what needs improvement. An insurmountable task, I know.
If you have the privilege to see all that Ecuador has to offer, then I do not think one could leave disappointed, just maybe a little overwhelmed by the social injustice, yet still inspired by everything else. I hope that will be your case and of course, having great company, such as the Stanton-James family, is always essential. Makes life so much more enjoyable!
Now, how to pack for the jungle? It is quite simple: 1. amazing digital camera, 2. insect repellent, 3. many pairs of socks, never can bring too many, 4. good pair of walking shoes, 5. bathing suit, 6. light clothes: tee-shirts and shorts, don’t need too many, 7. one long trouser, light 8. enough undies… unless you are James, and just don’t bother to wear any….9. if you are always cold like me or Mel, a light sweater… if you are always warm, you wont need it. 10. toiletries and towel, the basics and make sure you don’t repeat them with whoever else is going. Other than that… anything else would be just adding to the weight…and make sure you leave the jewelry at home…. Good luck and have a great trip!!!

]]> By: Volski http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-10 Volski Tue, 27 Mar 2007 22:02:34 +0000 http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-10 John / Wendy and all the family. Getting your Blogs loud and clear. Fascinating stuff - gives a good 'flavour' of Ecuador - keep them coming. We have been 'flying' over Quito via Google Earth - where exactly are you relative to some 'landmark' that you could name for us. Weather here in Cornwall since you left has been fine /dry/warm/sunny - (law of Sod) - about time after a winter of wet/windy murk. Regards John / Wendy and all the family.

Getting your Blogs loud and clear.

Fascinating stuff - gives a good ‘flavour’ of Ecuador - keep them coming.

We have been ‘flying’ over Quito via Google Earth - where exactly are you relative to some ‘landmark’ that you could name for us.

Weather here in Cornwall since you left has been fine /dry/warm/sunny - (law of Sod) - about time after a winter of wet/windy murk.

Regards

]]> By: Jon http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-13 Jon Wed, 28 Mar 2007 03:27:29 +0000 http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-13 Your dear wife stranded in Quito while Husband plays at being a jungle explorer is having a great time spending all his money in the wonderful shops and markets;;;; Your dear wife stranded in Quito while Husband plays at being a jungle explorer is having a great time spending all his money in the wonderful shops and markets;;;;

]]> By: Jon http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-14 Jon Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:45:25 +0000 http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-14 Well what can one say? I feel that John Ellis is definitely on the right track in terms of writing about Ecuador, I especially like the way that he describes the livestock grazing in a clockwise motion. This is also relevant to the traffic in Quito, that being you can only go clockwise round the city! Whilst this might be good if you now where your going, if you don't know where you are going you may have to go the whole way round the clock (i.e City) to get where you want to get to. This all happens whilst trying not to get run off the road by Chivas, for those that don't know what a Chiva is, it is a bus like VEHICULO that looks like it had a run in with Picasso on a bad day, with all it's passengers normally having been picked up from various night clubs, the driver normally being the ring leader who also decides that the city's one way system is the wrong way round so decides to head off in anti clockwise way whilst shouting "si se puede" which means "screw you I know best". Look forward to hearing more, Jonathon. Well what can one say?
I feel that John Ellis is definitely on the right track in terms of writing about Ecuador, I especially like the way that he describes the livestock grazing in a clockwise motion. This is also relevant to the traffic in Quito, that being you can only go clockwise round the city! Whilst this might be good if you now where your going, if you don’t know where you are going you may have to go the whole way round the clock (i.e City) to get where you want to get to.
This all happens whilst trying not to get run off the road by Chivas, for those that don’t know what a Chiva is, it is a bus like VEHICULO that looks like it had a run in with Picasso on a bad day, with all it’s passengers normally having been picked up from various night clubs, the driver normally being the ring leader who also decides that the city’s one way system is the wrong way round so decides to head off in anti clockwise way whilst shouting “si se puede” which means “screw you I know best”. Look forward to hearing more, Jonathon.

]]> By: Fina Baquero http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-16 Fina Baquero Thu, 29 Mar 2007 20:53:54 +0000 http://ola-adventures.com/2007/03/26/otavalo-and-the-northern-highlands/#comment-16 Interesting comments. Glad you enjoyed your visit to Otavalo, unfortunately the weather was not at its best. You will have to go back on a clear day, it's really breathtaking to see all the snowpeaks; starting with Cotopaxi in the south, the Cayambe from all its sides. The people of Otavalo are to be admired, not only for their ability in weaving, but for the unity of families and the community. They not only make gloves and socks but sweaters, "ponchos", blankets, carpets and embroidered blouses, etc. Many of them go around the world selling their products. Yet many ohers are highly educated and speak other languages other than spanish, which is not their mother tongue. Some of them have masters degrees. For ecuadoreans is a matter of pride to see the change in about 20 years. To be noted is that although they have seen the world they have not changed their customs, for instance, men do not cut their hair and both men and women maintain their traditional dress. Interesting comments. Glad you enjoyed your visit to Otavalo, unfortunately the weather was not at its best. You will have to go back on a clear day, it’s really breathtaking to see all the snowpeaks; starting with Cotopaxi in the south, the Cayambe from all its sides.

The people of Otavalo are to be admired, not only for their ability in weaving, but for the unity of families and the community. They not only make gloves and socks but sweaters, “ponchos”, blankets, carpets and embroidered blouses, etc. Many of them go around the world selling their products. Yet many ohers are highly educated and speak other languages other than spanish, which is not their mother tongue. Some of them have masters degrees.

For ecuadoreans is a matter of pride to see the change in about 20 years. To be noted is that although they have seen the world they have not changed their customs, for instance, men do not cut their hair and both men and women maintain their traditional dress.

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