We finally had lots of children around as we were walking back to the bus and I gave out tons of the spider rings I had brought. The word got out quickly and many more children came to get rings, they literally surrounded me. I purchased 4 hangings from the weavers and then another from a lady in the courtyard.

      Our next destination was certainly another highlight, the Otavalo Market. Many, many vendors (reminded me a lot of the markets I was at in Belize). Jim finally got his Panama Hat. I found wallets for Joe and Josh, a tiny odd hand-painted bird made out of a gourd, embroidered shirt for Paul (which somehow got left behind), llama pouch for passport or camera, sleeveless blouse for Darlene, etc. Took some great photos of an old woman and some young children. Gave out some more spider rings to squeals of delight.

      All shopping trips have been fairly short averaging 40-45 minutes. Otavalo was 80 minutes. All the school children are in uniforms reds, blues, etc. one color per school, I think. Since we had talked our guide, Maria, into giving us an extra hour at the Hacienda that morning, we were running very late. We stopped for lunch at a lovely restaurant back near Lake San Pablo. Can't remember the name of the place, but it sat on beautiful grounds and there were tethered llamas out in the yard. Sat right on the lake lovely spot. I had the avocado filled with shrimp, the chicken with herbs, potatoes and vegetable, and the Bread Pudding (their specialty) for dessert. (I beleve the name was Hacienda Puerto Lago. -CED-)

      We then boarded the bus to return to Quito arriving around 5pm. Jim and I headed out shopping again     had to pick up the hand painted vase I had fallen in love with and while waiting for them to wrap, discovered a beautiful little bird made out of ceramics by a local artist. Had to have it. Jim bought lots of Tagua (jungle ivory)     animals and fruits. All the many pieces he bought for a couple of dollars each were a steal I saw them on display at the Smithsonian gift store in DC two weeks later and the tiniest pieces started at $16.50! They had a smaller version of the toucan bird I bought for $6 and theirs was $50! Wish I d known I would have bought a bunch more. Jim bought a duffle bag near the hotel and we headed back to have dinner.

      I feel obliged to add a bit here. Otovalo had a remarkable Open Air Market. It looked like a huge California Swap Meet but without the swapping, just sales. It was a huge city block on a slight slope. It had been leveled and many booths were set up. They had slight frames and muslin was draped on three sides.
      The prices were fantastic. I bought a brass ceremonial dagger (not sharp, 10" long) set with pieces of colored glass. They wanted $5 for it. I couldn't in good conscience try to talk them down, I just bought it.       The altitude got to me and I walked to the south end where there were huge steps to get down to the street level. I sat down to gasp the thin air. Two men came up with a

tablecloth they wanted $45. I said I didn't need a tablecloth. They kept trying and got down to $25 and then I thought my daughter, Marit, might like it so I bought it, saying that was it. No more.
      Almost immediately they were back with another. I kept protesting. I really didn't want it. But when they got to $20 I thought of my daughter-in-law. Jennifer, and bought it too. I think they detected that that was it and didn't come back!

      In another town we saw a church with a plaza in front and that reminded me of Otavalo.
      Back to Marcia!

      Afterward we spent about 2 hours packing and re-packing everything     trying to make it all fit. We had to pack all the breakables into a suitcase that we could carry on the plane, one for the Galapagos to check on the plane, and then another bag for our return to Guyaqauil. Took some doing, but it all fit.

      During dinner, the exhaustion started setting in. I felt so tired and drained     probably because we had been on the go so much and up so early in the mornings. It felt so good to hit the pillow. I slept very soundly for the first time. Much anxiety going on about Troy, the BFM merger, etc. Tonight all that seemed very far away and sleep was very welcomed.

Ecuador sights and sounds. Beautiful countryside and hills, farming. Lots of poverty, cement, cinder block houses, concrete floors, tiny in size, little furniture, cluttered, dirty, lots of laundry hanging out, washing in local creeks or streams. Corn laid out to dry, pigs, chickens, cows, dogs, a few llamas. On occasion we saw a cat. Lots of abandoned buildings or partially built ones Amazing that the children, especially the school children, looked so clean and neat. Water does not seem easy to come by. Lots of problems with teeth, poor care, many missing teeth Beautiful children, many babies and little ones, many begging or selling wares, usually scarfs or woven bracelets. Spider rings were a huge hit Vendors approach about selling wares, but not as aggressive as in Tijuana. Very polite. Beautiful fluffy clouds, lots of hills and hilly terrain Lots of trees, very green Not many cars, except in Quito. Lots of honking. Saw one store selling caskets right outside on their front parking lot, very odd No smog, clean smelling air.