Causerie Called “Cotacachi” – Part 5

By now you must be famished. You’ve walked about 6 blocks, so I am going to take you around to view a variety of food outlets. Just in case you overindulge, we have to backtrack to almost where we started out in  Calle10 de Agosto. We have arrived at the fruit and veg “mercado”.

Before we go any farther, why not have an ice cream – very yummie, fruit flavored and costs only 25 cents.

Beans form an important part in the diet of Ecuadoreans. How do you like my two amigos? Two very sweet young ladies – always a broad smile on their faces as you pass by.

There is always loads of fresh fruit, and at a price that is hard to beat, fruit that is not seen anywhere else. Some I have tasted, others remain a mystery.

From farm to friend – that is how fresh the veggies are. $5 worth, would be quite a load to carry. Don’t make the mistake I made – $1 carrots equaled an orange bag full. I froze them and it took two months before they were finished.

Let us start at the most meager food outlet – a wheelbarrow of mangoes. These mobile “tiendas” are very reasonable. A dollar’s worth would be more than sufficient for your family. Could you eat a mango in public without being all messed up? Well they can – just keep practicing - I guess in private!

Coconuts are also very popular. Just lop off the top, stick a straw into the coconut and away you go – a refreshing drink . . .  and then you munch the rest. Street service – what more do you want?

These little food outlets are very popular in Cotacachi - Looks appetizing, smells good, hygienically prepared. Airborne pollution worries me a bit though.

Ok – you have had an ice cream, a “non-messy” mango and a coconut, but I guess now that you have had to walk back to town again, you would like to have a delicious and substantial meal. Most restaurants are closed at night, so it is a good idea to replenish your energy now. You choose – either this restaurant . . . . .

. . . . or this one . . . . . I recently went to this restaurante. How about a huge meat platter for $5 – the most expensive meal there.

. . . .  or if you preferred you could retrace your footsteps back to the “mercado” – even the President frequents this outdoor multi-outlet when he is in the area. You’ll find a great meal here for around $1,50.

Just one more stop. You will need food supplies for your “hostal” or apartment, or wherever you are staying at the moment. Are you health-conscious? We are now going to visit some of the health facilities.

Thought for your Tour:

Would you call this food for our spiritual health? “You prepare a table before me . . . “ (Psalm 23:5a)