It is early morning in Otavalo, where the world’s largest and most colorful Indigenous market takes place. It all begins at dawn, when the first costumers arrive attracted by the food and the animals for sale. This market dates back to pre-Inca times and it is a veritable collection of animals to eat and buy that mingles with the sound of the Andean pipes and the Quichua, the native indigenous language.
By 9am, the activity takes place at the hundreds of handicraft booths spread all along the main streets. The center of the action is the "Poncho Plaza", where almost any craft item produced in Ecuador can be found at really cheap prices.
The little stalls offer a bewildering and exciting array of local handicrafts, with textiles of outstanding rainbow colors predominating. Naturally, you will also find there the famous Panama hats -originally made in Ecuador- at half the price or less than what you would pay in Quito, the capital. The variety of colors of the various fabric products, the blankets, ponchos, balsa wood bowls and carvings, as well as the variety of fruit and vegetables on sale is a feast for the eyes in this lively market where haggling for lower prices is expected and part of the fun.
The market is safe and tourists are always welcomed by the friendly local people, the Otavaleño indigenous. People can’t help but be delighted by the dignified Otavaleño ladies who still wear their distinctive traditional dress of intricately embroidered white blouses with flounced lace sleeves, their black skirts and their long, braided hair often decorated with colorful ribbons.
Saturday is the busiest market day and the best time of the week for tourists to go. This world-famous outdoor marketplace, that some consider “a place to visit before you die” (Book “1000 places to visit before you die” by Patricia Schultz; and Ninemsn’s article “Top 10 Places to see Before You Die”) is a wonderful way to experience some local culture while you get a good price for loads of gifts and souvenirs for everyone back home!
Photo: Pictures from Heather
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