Villages around Otavalo

We had a guide take us around various villages around Otavalo today - each village is specialising in a particular craft.  We first visited people who are making reed matting (the common Ecuadorian sleeps on a reed mat, or 3-4 to make it a bit softer). We then visited first an elderly master weaver, probably the most famous in Ecuador (he travels outside Ecuador demonstrating his craft also) who is using pre-Inca backstrap weaving methods.  After this we went on to a waterfal nearby and made a walk looking for birds which were very elusive!  Then on to another famous weaver - but he wasn't home!  We then visited a music instrument maker - anything from panpipes, to flutes etc.  This man also travels outside Ecuador demonstrating his skills.

We had lunch in Cotacachi, where we were yesterday.  A better lunch though than yesterday!

After lunch we went to a village specialising in woodwork - furniture and smaller items.  After this we wanted to go to another weaver that our guide knows but we probably spent 40 minutes trying to cover the last 500m due to roads being broken up; blocked or flooded - but we did get there!!

A full but very interesting day - you can really see once you leave the towns how 3rd world Ecuador is.  Cows everywhere (had to smile as we were coming home and saw the various owners taking their cows home for the night!); pigs; sheep; goats and no end of dogs.