Election Day, Otavalo Market, Bosque Jerusalen

The news and streets were buzzing on Sunday morning because it was Election Day in Ecuador.  All the people of the country must vote in the presidential election or they will be fined forty dollars.  In Ecuador, Election Day is on a weekend so people have enough time to travel back to their hometown to vote at the polls. On Sunday morning our group was also fortunate enough to have breakfast with Maria Virginia, the main protagonist in the book, The Queen of Water.  She came with her 9-year-old son and shared a friendly presentation of her family and home.  She is an inspiring individual who has had a hard life, but refuses to let her trials and tribulations change her outlook on life.

(Maria Virginia in authentic indigenous clothing)

After breakfast we walked to the Mercardo de Los Ponchos in Otavalo.  Streets were lined with colorful scarves, woven tapestries, sweaters, hats and authentic Ecuadorean artwork. 

From the market we visited the bosque Jerusalen, one of the dry regions in Ecuador. Cactuses and dry vegetation covered the land.  A special parasite that looks like white powder cover cactuses and when touched turn into a red dye.   This dye is used to make makeup and dye clothing.