The Otavalo Market, on a Saturday morning, is a must for every visitor in Ecuador. Shortly after my arrival back from the USA, I made a trip to the market, armed with my camera, So, accompany me. I’ll take you on a tour.
My rental property is situated in the midst of maize fields, and with plenty of farm animals in the area They do not roam around freely. Cattle and sheep are secured to a rope, pegged into the ground, and allowing the animal minimal walking space.
Bus rides are really cheap. Otavalo is about a 30 minute ride from Cotacachi, and costs 25c. Anyone is welcome to board the bus and entertain the travelers, or to promote their wares,and usually giving a long promotional speech. On this particular occasion, a gifted musician entertained us, followed by him endeavoring to sell a CD of his music. Most CD’s are usually sold for $1.
It is mango season in November, and many people can be seen eating mangoes – without messing, or looking like a mango while and after having eaten one. I haven’t risked it yet. I think I should first practice at home.
Mango season?
Yes, mango season!
Fresh meat in the open is a common sight.
Vendors can be seen everywhere – street corners, lining streets – just anywhere where people can buy food.
Hats are popular items, all made by the local people.
Items made by the indigenous people are very brightly-colored, while they themselves are dressed in black skirts and a white blouse. The beautiful embroidery on the blouses is very colorful, and they usually wear earrings to match.
People queue up in the paved road for freshly prepared food.
The mysterious “ice creams” are always around, and always an all-time favorite.
Fruit is always found in abundance in Ecuador. In general, the streets are very clean. People do not readily litter. In fact, shop owners are responsible for hosing down the sidewalk in front of their shops.
Musicians often perform on the sidewalk, and then try to sell their CD’s and in this way generate an additional income.
I love Ecuadorean music, and the musicians are highly skilled.
The main and side streets are lined with stalls. All the goods are made by the indigenous people. In Otavalo, the market is set up every Saturday.
Coconuts are popular.The top of the coconut is lopped off and a straw inserted. Many people can be seen sipping away at coconut milk.
“Pan, in many shapes, sizes and flavors, is readily available. These are baked in the houses and brought to the market.
Dried maize is another popular commodity.
Lunches are prepared and readily available on site. How about fish for lunch?
Or you may prefer a chicken dish.
Or you may prefer buying a fresh chicken.
This blog on the “Marketplace” is a challenge to every Christian. In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus relates how a man, a householder, went to the Marketplace five times on a particular day, and he found people standing idle at the Marketplace. He sent them to work in his vineyard. We may ask ourselves, “How many times has God instructed me to leave the Marketplace, and go and work in His vineyard?” The five times could perhaps be referred to 5 different times in our lives – (1) In our Teen years (2) Young adulthood (3) Middle age (4) Advanced Age, and even in (5) Old Age.
The question is: “Are we still standing at the Marketplace?”
Paul is a wonderful example of a man going into the Marketplace. His aim was to introduce people to the Messiah. In Acts 17:14-17. Paul was in Athens and went to the Marketplace. Here are some key concepts with regard to his experience in the Marketplace:
1. Daily – He went to the Marketplace daily.
2. Devout – He met devout Jews – Jews who had abandoned their idol-worship, but who were not yet converted to Christianity.
3. Disputed, discussed, discoursed – in the common place where people reasoned and engaged in discussion about religious matters. It was in the Marketplace, that Paul took Jesus and introduced Him to many.
The question is: “Why stand ye here all the day idle? Go ye also into the Vineyard (Marketplace).” (Matthew 20:6-7)
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