Following our departure from Quito, the past few days have been tightly packed with fun and fleeting moments!
On the outskirts of Quito, we first visited Bios, where we had the opportunity to taste test a variety of chocolate, and even explore the break down of the chocolate making process. David, the current director of Bios, was an extraordinary man to listen and learn from. It was clear that he has a strong passion for the chocolate industry, whether through delving into its history or explaining his personal ties to it. Some of my favorite flavors of his chocolate were tangerine, blackberry, and raspberry! These flavors perfectly balanced the sweetness of the chocolate with a more tart taste. And while we did leave the factory a little sickly-sweet, it was a really cool experience!
After leaving Bios, we began our 2 and a half hour drive to Otavalo, and our next hotel. When we arrived, I was in awe of the beautiful and intricate architecture. The view from the top of the hotel was surreal, and we were lucky enough to see the city lit up at night.
Breakfast the next morning was delicious; we had coffee, fruits, and bread with jam. Afterwards, we loaded onto the bus, and headed over to the Otavalo market. This plaza full of locals was decorated with bright and bold colors, interesting textures, and handmade fabric. Still, my favorite part of the day was practicing my Spanish. And although my brain was exhausted by the end, I truly enjoyed conversing and bargaining with the locals!
