Sunday, November 14, 2010

More markets in Guaranda

Our central Ecuador schedule is about markets. In order to catch the next big market in Guamote on a Thursday, we came off the so-called Gringo Trail to Guaranda to kill some time. Turns out that Guaranda itself has a lively market on Saturday.

Guaranda is a pleasant colonial town. The main square is closed for remodeling, but as John says, you've got to like a town trying to spiff itself up. The same goes with our guesthouse. The day we arrived, there was some remodeling work going on. The next day there was major cleaning. The second evening the wireless router got upgraded, which was very good for us since we no longer have assume our customary position in the doorway of our room.

Hostal de las Flores.
Hostal la Flores - Guaranda, Ecuador

Built in 1944, the deco-ish Mercado 10 de Noviembre.

Mercado 10 de Noviembre -  Guaranda, Ecuador

Cheese vendors and customers - Mercado 10 de Noviembre.

Mercado 10 de Noviembre -  Guaranda, Ecuador

John's lunch at Mercado 10 de Noviembre: rice, avocado, red beets, onion salad, and potato-cheese patties.

Lunch - Mercado 10 de Noviembre -  Guaranda, Ecuador

Mandarino vendor.
Mercado -  Guaranda, Ecuador

The friendly hat maker and vendor just across the street from our hotel.
Hatmaker -  Guaranda, Ecuador

6 comments:

Crash Eddy said...

So did you buy a hat from this hatmaker? Wearing it in your self-portrait?

Sun-Ling said...

@Ed, the hat maker makes fedora hats worn widely by local indigenous people. John is pictured with a Tilley hat in his self portraint (http://www.flickr.com/photos/meckleychina/5176358359/). I, on the other hand, am looking forward to getting myself a panama hat in Cuenca next week. I had several from REI before they stopped carrying them.

Yoli said...

I just came across your blog and I am enjoying it immensely. Beautiful images.

john said...

@Yoli - Glad you are enjoying the blog. Thanks for leaving a comment!
-john and sun-ling

ecraige said...

these are great pix. i was living in quito and galapagos for the past two years and find your pix wonderful to look at. andale! suerte!

john said...

Tito,
Thanks! You are Ed's friend, right? When we are back in Raleigh, would like to hear about your experiences in Ecuador in person. I briefly had a look at your Galapagos blog - good stuff.
-john

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