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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Otavalo's animal market

We're in Otavalo for a few days, about 100k north of Quito.  Otavalo's famous for its Saturday markets -- artists, fabrics, fruits and veges, meats, household goods, clothing, and most unusually its animal market.  These together draw huge crowds of locals, and pretty much take over the city on Saturday.
The animal market happens early.  I was awakened around 5 this morning by the sound of various gaits, hooves on the cobblestone street in front of our hostel -- animals and hopeful owners on their way to the market.
The animal market, overview.
The lady in purple bought the spotted one, which wasn't so happy when it was led away. 

Chicks, turkey babies, and a box full of unknowns.

These ladies were buying a cow.  The hat on the lady with the blue wrap is typical, a sort of fabric-piled-decoratively-on-top sort of hat.
Some llamas still in their truck, looking around.  

The llamas have such sweet, aware, knowing faces, long eyelashes, calm dispositions, just hanging out watching.  

And kittens, too.  And puppies and dogs and turkeys and goats and lots of chickens and roosters, and bulls being sized up for mating possibilities.  Fascinating stuff.  We saw a kitten being carried away from the market in a mesh bag tied at the top.
Dead, ready-to-eat animals, too -- anyone want a photo of a wagon full of toasted pigs' heads?      
I'm hoping Steve'll post on this, too; his eye/photos are always so good.




2 comments:

Carol Gulyas said...

Sensational! Great shots. The llamas are calm until they're not, and then they spit on you.

Nancy said...

Thanks, Carol. I wish I were more of a photographer. We haven't had personal experience with them yet . . . I'll be ready.