Hola! We woke up in Otavalo to the unmistakable sound of a rooster’s morning call. It was only 6:30 AM, which meant that I still had another hour to sleep in! Once we got up and ready for the day, we sat down to our usual breakfast of eggs and a roll.
After breakfast, we took the bus down to town where we met up with Maria. She gave us helpful tips and insights about navigating the famous Otavalo market. With two hours of free time to explore, I definitely made the most of it… maybe a little too much! Emi and I even bought duffel bags to avoid any issues with overweight suitcases on the flight home haha!!
Once our shopping spree ended, we headed to Mi Otavalito for lunch. I ordered steak and potatoes which were so delicious. With full stomachs, we made our way to the Otavalo waterfall and park. Maria rejoined us and shared more about her culture and its deep significance in Ecuador. Hearing her stories gave the place so much more meaning.
When we reached the waterfall, we got completely soaked—but it was 100% worth it. The scenery was stunning, and the experience felt straight out of a dream.
Next up was Parque Cóndor, where we arrived just in time to catch the tail end of the bird show. While the star condor was a bit shy and stayed hidden, we saw plenty of other fascinating birds and even got to watch them during feeding time.
When we got back to the hostel, Skip and Rick surprised us with guinea pig. Dinner that night was at Balcón de Imbabura. Maggie and I split the nachos and pesto pasta—both were tasty, but the nachos were definitely my favorite. The real winner, though, was my chocolate frappe.
When we got back to the hostel, we were met with the most heartwarming surprise. The owners and some locals welcomed us with a traditional drink and a special bread usually made only during Día de los Muertos. They told us that anyone who stays at their hostel becomes part of their family—and now, we were too. They even performed traditional music using handmade instruments. The whole experience was incredibly moving and genuine; something I’ll never forget.
To wrap up the day, a few of us sat on the rooftop under the stars, sharing stories and soaking in the moment. It was the perfect ending to a day full of beauty, culture, and connection.
