Ecuador's Countryside

Beautiful drive.


Otavalo's town church.




Wheelbarrow fruit stand.



He was selling carpets, towels, car accessories and shirts.



So many spices.


Their Michael Jackson crosswalk signs.


We enjoyed Quito so much that we wanted to see more of Ecuador. We hired a driver and headed 3 hours North, to la Mitad del Mundo and Otavalo. The drive alone was worth it, for the beautiful scenery. Otavalo's Saturday market is one of the largest and most famous in South America, and we certainly couldn't leave Ecuador without seeing the equator line in la Mitad del Mundo.

The enormous market spread out through the entire little town, with stalls full of colorful wares. We saw a lot of things we expected, like carved wooden items and souvenirs, and a lot of things we could have lived without, like animal carcasses on display, 'fresh' meat and homemade drink concoctions which were sure to be lovely parting gifts. (Hello, giardiasis.)

Teague fell in love with painted bobble head tortoises that were sold at virtually every stall. As we were suckered into his purchase, he pleaded for the purchase of all of the tortoises on the small table, because Caitlin, Ryan, Toby, Dodgie, Grumps and Nana need one too. So we left with a bag full of bobbling turtles...and some really ridiculous "Captain Jack Sparrow" pants, because Sean has absolutely no sense of style.

After our driver made a quick stop for bizcocho (Ecuador's famous biscotti-like butter pastries) at "bizcocho row", we drove through the beautiful countryside to la Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world) to see the equator line. Yes, it was kitschy and touristy, but, come on, who doesn't want to straddle on the equator with a tasty bizcocho? So we did.

The obligatory equator photo.


Playground next to the equator. More curious Ecuadorians.


Look very closely. Two obvious gringos, clean-shaven, white button-down shirts & ties, bikes parked at an American restaurant. Our first Mormon sighting in Ecuador.