Last Days

It is our last day in Quito, which means some major packing up and baggage rearranging. It's amazing to see how much stuff we've been packing around this country. Tommorrow we'll be leaving for the airport at 4:30am. With some luck we'll make it back to Portland and Boise in time for Christmas!
Michelle says: ¨I will crush these little crampons to dust with the strength of my fingers. Hurry up and finish packing everything up Alex or I will do the same to you!¨
Before returning to Quito, we made a trip to Lake Cuichocha, Ecuador´s most scenic lake (according to the guidebook). It was actually really overcast on our visit, so not wanting everyone to miss out, I took this photo of the what the lake and the mountain (cotchachi) look like in good weather (a rare occurence) in the visitor center.
Here is a view of the lake on the day we visited. The lake was formed when the crater of a volcano collapsed. The two islands, barely visible in this photo, were formed by a flare up of volcanic activity. The islands resemble cuy, guinea pigs, hence the name cuicocha.
The park is home to many types of flower and fauna including the rare condor and oso de anteojos, bear of eyeglasses. There were numerous orchids and other beautiful wildflowers.
Here the lake is submerged by the fog that kept creeping over the southern ridge.
After the attempt on Chimborazo we spent of few days resting in Quito and then bussed it to Otavalo. Otavalo is a small town just north of Quito known for its artesian market. The success of the market has resulted in an affluent city. Here is a church on the far side of a pretty plaza.
The Otavalo market. During the week the market is limited to a plaza in Otavalo. On saturday it takes over the entire city. Small communities outside Otavalo specialize in producing various items including leather, weavings, and paintings. They bring these items to market in Otavalo to sell. Indigenous communities around Otavalo are some of the most affluent in the country due to the success of the market and tourism.
School girls march in a parade in Otavalo. Festivies like these take place throughout the country in anticipation of Christmas. Often the parades include dancing and music.