Cotacachi y Otavalo

Me and Cat took off this weekend for an overnight fun time in the town known for leather Cotacachi, and the town right down the road that is known for it's market Otavalo. Otavalo is one of the most famous markets in South America, and is pretty awesome/kind of overwhelming. Saturday is the big day and is off the hook. I spent more time shopping than photographing, but I snuck a few shots in here and there! Here are some of my favorites! I can't wait to go back and just photograph. Enjoy!

Street scene in Cotacachi.
Fluorescent church in Cotacachi.
Guy who made my sweet foot bottle!! Yeah that's right. You can put your booze in it!
My favorite image from the weekend. Guy with his (new) bunny in Otavalo.
Square in Otavalo.
Nice guy in square in Otavalo! We chatted. He was cool.
Crabs!
Super tough.

Pollos!
Check out a few of my new hats and my friends!
This guy cracked me up. He was cool.
Guy who worked at our hostal. His name was Segundo Something. Can't remember the second part!
Meat men.

Right near da BEACH!

I kind of slacked at the beach, I am a bit disappointed in my lack of pictures in general, much less the lack of good ones! Here are a few, not necessarily the greatest, but they give you a bit of an idea of the place. I do look forward to developing my disposable underwater camera! It contains the classic drinking booze in the sea images! Since I (mostly) wasn't taking pictures, I was enjoying the company of good people and the celebration of making it 28 years in paradise. It was awesome.

This turtle is like, that's my lettuce punk! Get outta here!
I was ready to jump in and take a swim with these guys. So cute they are!
This is a booby variety.
Isla de la Plata. The whole time we were walking around, we were dying for our snorkeling time. Snorkeling is pretty much the coolest.
Isla de la Plata
Two of our boat employees. One guide, one driver. Note the awesome shirt on the driver.
On the way to Isla de la Plata. Blue blue blue!
This is the beach I spent my birthday on. That's right no one in sight! Until those 6 other people showed up hours later. I wish they would have stayed away!
Another view that is pretty much the same!
Main beach in Puerto Lopez. I am bummed I didn't get to ride this ferris wheel. Next time!

Mas Peoples!

A few old, a few new, here are some images of some awesome people I have encountered on my journey.

I have no idea what these guys stories are. But I saw them walking down the street one day and luckily I had my camera, even though I was just running a few errands.
One of the weekend guards and the maintenance guy at my apartment.
This is my juice lady at one of the markets. I have a juice lady at the other one too. I love the juice ladies juices.
Some friends I made one night a few months back. I think this was around fiestas de Quito time.
These kids were at a bar I was at. They were pretty much almost doing each other on one of the benches, and left when they could no longer afford beers. I saw them on the street later and we had an impromptu photo session.
Bacerola Mosh, a local heavy metal legend at a show a few months back. I was stoked to meet him. He told me that I always have a friend in the streets of Quito. I will have to refresh his story in my mind so I can share with you all.

I am as happy as this cute lady looks anticipating her sweet sweet tasting canelazo. My favorite!

Too bad this guy wouldn't stop moving his drunk hand so you could clearly read the OZZY tattoo on his knuckles!
Bad ass glasses. Nuff said.