It's weird to be using American Dollars again*

The adventure started in Otavalo, Ecuador  Every town in the area has a similar statue at the entrance to town and is symbolic of what the town is known for (Otovalo = Dancing, other towns in the area are known for things like leatherwork and wood carving)

I've made it to Ecuador, country number 24 and, am somewhat sad to say, the last international stop on the Just Cuz It's Round Tour.

But don't fret, the journey will continue stateside on a sweet little cross-country adventure to deliver a car to Los Angeles.  I'll be stopping along the way to see some folks and you can bet hijinks (and baseball games) will ensue.

But I'm here, now.  So, we'll worry about the US part, and its lack of being round, later.

I got here a little over a week ago to meet up with my friends Nancy and Mark.   Nancy was my first, and then frequent, boss in Advertising and her involvement in Ecuador started about the time we met.  So, I'd heard a bit about it and definitely wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

The first stop was Otavalo, where she has set up shop.  It is surrounded by 4 different Volcanoes, Deep Valleys, Lakes and Fields - my lord was it beautiful.  And the bed was so comfortable that I habitually slept late.  Ahhh, the comforts of real life!

The view from the porch at Nancy's...

See the heart in the mountain on the right hand side?  That's a part of local lore.  When you can see the heart this volcano is in love with another one across the way (I think that's how it went). 

The valley in Intag, about 2 hours from Otavalo on one of the most treacherous roads I've ever been on.

And, in the town of Otavalo, there is a Saturday market that Lonely Planet lists as the #2 thing to do in South America.  That might be a stretch, but it is full of interesting artesan wares (every thing from bracelets to blankets to traditional clothing for the locals and, of course, food:

I didn't take many pictures of the textiles in the market, so this random one will have to paint the picture for you all. 

HOG!

The Otavaleña women here wear traditional clothes of white embroidered shirts, with these sweet little sheets on their head that can be placed in any number of different ways to shade them from the sun.

But, to me, the best part of it was the ANTENNA SALESMAN.  (yes, you read that right)

And yes, in case you were wondering, he was pushing these things in the same way as a circus sideshow caller, or the Slap Chop guy.  Love that it is connected to a flat screen too.  He kept turning it around to show how easily it could be plugged in.

Some other cool things that I saw: 

There is a Raptor center in Otavalo that we visited.  This guy is one of the Condors there.  They also had a Bald eagle, owls, and other birds of prey.

The two nights I slept in Intag, I feel asleep to the sound of the river.  Ahhhh!

REAL COFEEEEEEEEEE!

This spider has spikes on it's back so bird don't eat them.  Evolution is so cool! Ha!

I ate one of his family for dinner one night and kinda felt bad about it. Man's gotta eat though...

I know the posts of late have been pretty scattered.  I'll try to push through the wall I've hit to bring back some of the quality you all are used to!

* Ecuador is on the US Dollar, so everything is paid for in good 'ol greenbacks (and some Sacajaweas).  So weird.  The only other place I've used US is in Cambodia.  I guess it is prepping me fore re-entry though.