¡Hola! Today was a great day filled with shopping, culture learning, birds, and music and dancing! 

We woke up early for our breakfast and took a bus down to the center of Otavalo where there was a huge market filled with clothes, bags, trinkets, jewelry, and so much more. After spending two hours shopping we headed to the waterfall in a beautiful park with many of the locals also around the area. Our guide taught an about her culture and the specific clothing she wears and why. The gold jewelry on her symbolized wealth and the red jewelry symbolized strength and protection. Inside the circle area we were in, she emphasized how in her culture they believe we are born and we die in the same circle. This was interesting because it shows how her community stays together within their circle of life.

We then drove to lunch at a local restaurant, and I ordered the carmones a la plancha, which was grilled shrimp, patacon, french fries, and a salad. After eating we headed to the Condor Park to see a bird show. 

The environmental minister was there, so it was surrounded by police and extra security. Watching the birds fly and retreat back to the caller was fascinating, and there were birds of all kinds. Some of us even got to hold an American Kestrel, which was nice. Then, we walked around the zoo area filled with birds and watched a woman feed some of the birds’ chicks, which was a little sad. However, it was a unique close-up experience that I may never capture again, so I made sure to take it all in. 

After this busy day we headed back to the hotel for our appetizer before dinner: guinea pig. We all tried it and personally, I thought one just tasted like chicken and then the other tasted like a rubbery fish which wasn’t my favorite. We then bussed to dinner which was at Balcon de Imbabura, an Italian and Mexican restaurant. I split chicken nachos and guacamole and a meal lasagna with Emi which was pretty good. I also had a big fruit iced tea which was very large and delicious. 

After dinner, the owners of the hotel we were staying in had prepared us a very special hot blackberry and apple drink wirh bread in their culture. The drink was hot and thick and had a sweet and spicy taste to it. Then, they prepared music for us and played their instruments as we danced around the room. As they played their instruments in the circle we all stomped and clapped around them. Being able to take part in something important and fun in their culture was amazing and I had a great time dancing and singing their songs. I was very grateful for the owners kindness and hospitality they had for us and I could tell we made an impact on them just as much as they did on us.