I just loved Otavalo, and I highly recommend making sure your trip to Ecuador includes a Saturday stop there. We stayed at the Ali Shungu in town, walking distance from the market.
Here’s a picture taken in the lobby of the Ali Shungu with the front desk help.
The American owners run a fine establishment which includes a vegetarian restaurant.
After the market we went into town and were treated to some great entertainment, a “pedida”.
Basically, the custom goes that the groom requests his bride’s hand from her father and offers gifts to ensure that he’s capable of supporting her. The bridegroom gets his friends together and they basically all parade to her house.
Once there, if the father opens the door, all lights are out, he approves of the nuptials, and the party is on.
And if he doesn’t?
