Markets & the Middle of the World!

This weekend was packed with fun. On Saturday we went to Otavalo and Cotacachi. Otavalo is a huge market that sells mostly textile merchandise and Cotacachi is known as the leather town. Otavalo was a little overwhelming at first because it was so big! I typically don't like bartering but my Dutch blood much have been extra thick that day because I got pretty into it.

One of my favorite times there was when I was looking at buying a pair of what were claimed to be silver or platinum earrings. The vendor wanted $12 for them. We bartered a little bit and he came down to $8. I said no, $7...no more. He was staying pretty stiff at $8 so I told him $7 or nothing and started walking away. I walked down about 6 vendors and started looking at some necklaces and started bartering with this vendor for the necklaces. All of a sudden I see a man running down the aisle with his hand up in the air. He came to me and said ok $7. Do you want them? I just smiled and said ok, being so pleased at the outcome. :)

This afternoon we went to Mitad del Mundo, which is the center of the world. There's a monument where the center was originally thought to be and then there is another area about 250 meters north of where it really is. We went to both. At the actual center of the world we took a tour and learned about the original people in Ecuador and various tricks and information about the equator.

One of the tricks was that is was supposed to be easier to balance an egg on the head of a nail. I wasn't able to defeat the egg during my turn, but Rachel did! 

When we were walking from our tour to the monument we were able to get another beautiful glimpse of Cotopaxi. 

At the monument there were a bunch of shops as well as a lively concert going on. There is also a church on the equator where you can get married while each person is standing on opposite hemispheres. What a way to start out your marriage!

The views were glorious and the clouds spectacular.  The sun was setting and it was right before a quick evening shower. Mom, this one is for you. :) Enjoy these clouds!