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Eric Castro asked:


NEW OTAVALO CULTURAL EXPERIENCE” EXCURSION IN ECUADOR COMBINES

RENOWNED OTAVALO INDIAN MARKET AND TRADITIONAL CRAFTS VILLAGE LIFE

Metropolitan Touring of Ecuador has introduced a new full-day excursion ” Otavalo Cultural Experience”, combining the renowned Otavalo Indian market with experiencing the traditional way of life in Peguche, a crafts village known for fine weavings and music, and a lunch of Andean specialties. There are daily departures from Quito the Ecuadorian capital and World Heritage Site. The two-hour drive north is through spectacular scenery in the Andes Mountains with views of Cayambe, a snow-capped volcano on the Equator, and San Pablo Lake at the foot of Imbabura volcano.

The centuries-old Indian market, Otavalo is famous for handwoven woolen goods. The quality is high, prices are low and bargaining simpler since Ecuador converted to the U.S. dollar. Then, on the way to Peguche, visit the Sacred Waterfall of Peguche.

Peguche is a small village of tile-roofed adobe houses where top-quality weavings are made on pedal shuttle and back-strap looms. Visitors have time to experience, observe and photograph an indigenous way of life little changed in centuries; stroll the streets, go into houses and see women do chores, men weave, children play and guinea pigs run; browse or buy wall hangings and baby alpaca sweaters. There are also shops where local musicians make and play Andean instruments like large panflutes, drums and guitars.

Lunch is served in the local style at Sumac Micuy, where the local delicacies are prepared over firewood and in a bread oven to preserve their original flavor. Lunch includes quinua soup, freshly picked corn-on-the-cob, lima beans with cheese, roasted chicken and guinea pig, steamed potatoes and vegetables. For groups, they offer live Andean music and dances during lunch.

Metropolitan Touring also operates two- and three-day excursions to the Otavalo area, with more time to visit crafts villages specialized in wood carvings and leather goods. Stays are at Otavalo Hotels, Puerto Lago, Hacienda Cusín, Hacienda Pinsaquí or La Mirage

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Eric Castro asked:


The Church of The Compania of Jesus in Quito has been catalogued by UNESCO among the hundred most important World Heritage Site Monuments in the world. After an integral restoration, which took 12 years at a cost of 4.5 million dollars, this magnificent temple was reopened to the public the second week of December, and can now be viewed in its entire splendor.

The building of La Compania de Jesus Church Quito Colonial jewel started in 1605 and was finished in 1650. The restoration was both structural and artistic, in its 4500 square meters. Its interior, entirely gilded, shines like a jewel and its paintings, sculptures, altars, cupola and pulpit have been carefully illuminated so that all details can be appreciated. There are 44 paintings and 56 sculptures of the School of Art of Quito.

Among the most important paintings are those of the 16 Prophets by Nicolas Gorivar in the central columns and the large ones depicting the Final Judgment and Hell at each side of the entrance.

The church is a magnificent example of the extraordinary artistic ability of the Ecuadorian artisans; with profusely carved altars covered with gold leaf, and the sculptures by Legarda of the Holy Trinity in the main altar and Saint Ignacio and Saint Francis in the side altars.

The Compania of Jesus is the best sample of the American Baroque, one of the richest and most extraordinary temples of South America. The visit to La Compania is included in the Scenic Tour of Quito that Metropolitan Touring offers daily. Don’t miss it!.

For other Ecuador & Galapagos Cruises visit:

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