We woke up to explore the Hacienda, and then for breakfast had papaya juice, fruit and rolls, before heading out to Otavalo. On the way, we stopped in a town called Peguche and visited the tapestry artists at El Gran Condor. We learned the various ways that the wool is dyed (one of the colors comes from a bug!), and how the tapestries are woven. They are incredible artisans that create beautiful and detailed works of art via loom.
At the Otavalo market, I practiced my haggling skills to purchase some alpaca fleece hoodies and necklaces with tagua-nut carved pendants. We left and stopped at the Cayumba Crater Lake, and then continued to Cotacachi, a town known for its leather artisans. We ate lunch at La Marquesa, where our group ordered cuy- fried guinea pig. I didn’t want a whole one to myself, so I split it with a friend. When our meal came, the dish was split, literally, right down the middle, with head, feet, tail, claws and even teeth. An Ecuadorian delicacy, cuy was the most expensive thing on the menu, at $12, whereas typical American fare on the menu didn’t exceed $2. There wasn’t much meat on the cuy, and it honestly tasted reminiscent of chicken- just much chewier.
We returned to Hotel Eugenia in Quito for our last night in Ecuador, which was spent reviewing customs procedures for our return, and then dinner at Alice restaurant. We had an enjoyable 2 hour long dinner served family-style, and I also enjoyed a pina colada to celebrate the end of an amazing trip!