I arrived at the border very early in the morning, so early in fact that most of the workers weren´t on duty yet. They were getting their morning coffee and preparing for the day. I was first in line, but several women who had been running back and forth from each station trying to get their papers in order, budged in front of me. They had been told to do several things, get copies made, get stamps, have things approved at different offices, and the moment the new workers came on board they disappointed these women further by giving them an extra couple of steps. I was getting nervous because officially there is an exit fee for non Colombians, which can be waived for short stays like mine, but usually requires extra paper work. I was preparing to pay the 40-60 dollars based on all the effort these women had gone through to get things in order, but they only asked me 2 questions when it was my time to step up: "Where did you come from and where are you going?" there were only two options here, so I thought it was a silly question but I said I was in Colombia for three weeks and was going to Ecuador. They stamped it and I crossed the bridge.
On the Ecuador side the lady had me fill out a quick slip describing where I came from and where I was going and for how long. Then she asked me the same, stamped my passport and said "noventa dias" with a slightly stern voice. No police and no bag checks (until 2 separate random checked within 2 hours of the border).
(The little gorge between the two border stations)
2) US Dollars
Ecuador uses the US Dollar. No exchange rate. No mental math conversion. They mint some of their own coins, but in the same denominations. They like my nice crispy bank notes, and a friend from home told me to bring a bunch of 1`s and 5`s so I am set.
3) Bus Prices
In Quito the inner-city buses cost 25 cents. No matter how long the trip is 45 minutes, multiple transfers all 1 quarter. The long range buses cost slightly more at a whopping 1 USD per hour on the road... though on two separate trips I was charged less than that.
4) ART
This is the art sold on the street. These people should have spots in museums.
2) US Dollars
Ecuador uses the US Dollar. No exchange rate. No mental math conversion. They mint some of their own coins, but in the same denominations. They like my nice crispy bank notes, and a friend from home told me to bring a bunch of 1`s and 5`s so I am set.
3) Bus Prices
In Quito the inner-city buses cost 25 cents. No matter how long the trip is 45 minutes, multiple transfers all 1 quarter. The long range buses cost slightly more at a whopping 1 USD per hour on the road... though on two separate trips I was charged less than that.
4) ART
This is the art sold on the street. These people should have spots in museums.
5) Architecture
Quito's old town
Ibarra
I have been in Ecuador for three day and have paid less than 5 dollars for every meal. Now its true that I was overcharged for a plate of rice yesterday but since it was only a dollar I had a hard time complaining. The area I am in has a lot of restaurants and bars and food stands. Ive been getting full plates plus a drink for about 4 bucks.
7) Otavalo Market Day
Otavalo is a small beautiful mountain town a few hours away from Quito. It is famous for its massive public market. Local indigenous people and traveling bohemian craftspeople show up and fill block after block with colorful blankets, scarfs, hats, ponchos, blankets, dresses and more. Table after table of small hand crafted statues, hand made jewelry, hand made instruments. Amazingly vibrant art. The prices are cheap, the goods are beautiful. The experience is sensory overload, overwhelming and awe inspiring.
The people speak Quechua and mix it with bits of Spanish and English. The men all with long hair. The women in a variety of traditional clothes. Though the rich colors are clearly synthetic, the silks clearly imported, the cartoon characters foreign, it is still easy to imagine how the Spaniards saw markets like this and imagined cities of riches and gold.
Spending the day in Otavalo, and the previous day in Ibarra it was hard not to imagine settling down in these lovely mountain towns. I could pick up guitar and people watch on the weekends.
Walks through the market:
Video 1,
Video 2,
Video 3
8) Mountains
The cities I have visited are in the Northern Highlands of Ecuador and the scenery is gorgeous. Some of the mountains are volcanoes (some still active), but I don´t think I will climb one any time soon.
9) Public Spaces
Parks and Plazas, streets closed for bikers and pedestrians, market areas.
Plaza grande in Quito. Music and ice cream for everyone!
This old smiley man was drinking with his friends in the park. Moments later they were dancing together in the park.
This is the view from the Basilica clock tower... 
Old timey photos in the park?
What's not to love?
10) Music, indigenous clothes and bohemians
Guys playing at the coffee shop (see video).
Indigenous women of Otavalo
Bohemian craftsman
Bohemian craft woman
Indigenous girl.
☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️☺️
I've been seeing so much in the last few days it would be hard to give a real recap. But perhaps in the next few days I will write some observations of Ecuador.
I am planning on spending a few more days in Quito, perhaps with a couple of day trips (mitad del Mundo and Mindo)
What a colorfull place and some of that art really was impressive and I bet it wouldn't have cost u an arm an a leg/looked as if u were traveling with someone...what does Noventas dias (in a stern voice) mean...talked with a lady at work today who was born in san paulo brazil and has people there....hope to find out more let me know if u want me to pursue....she spoke about peru as well and said that it is a haven for artist...not sure which particular cities
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