La Rue Vibre !

Otavalo is a small town North of Ecuador, very well known amongst travellers for its market, the biggest in South America.
Everyday, and in a greater extend the Saturday, villagers traditionally dressed from all around the communities come to sell their craft, food, cattle, etc.

We didn’t see the Saturday market, but it was nonetheless impressive.
Anyway we can’t afford to take craft (we cut our toothbrush in two to diminish its weight.)

The town is interesting without its markets, especially because it’s surrounded by indigenous villages hidden in the high altitude landscape.
It’s ideal for hikking, and no need of guides or tour operators. A hundreds meters away from the city : cattle and maize-culture.

Our path was leading to a sacred tree : “el Lechero” (milk giver), which sap looks like milk. It’s sacred for the indigenous in the surroundings, and they still use it to perform rituals and gifts to the Nature.

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After a good sample of agricultural paths and farmers bent by the heavy loads they carry, we arrived at Parque El Condor. It is a center dedicated to the safeguard of birds of prey and owls of South America. There we saw numerous different hawks, condors, and other strange owls (like the tiniest owls in the world, featuring above). And also to hear cicadas!

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The tourists information had told there was a path to go directly to the waterfalls of Peguche, but that they didn’t recommended it because it wasn’t marked. Oh boy it wasn’t! The once path is now more an animal track. We were luckily guided by the sound of the waterfalls and made it to it. Along the waterfall are pools used for some rituals.

Andean landscapes are very impressive, and it’s curious to see how well the traditional way of life of the Indians is adapted to it.