From Guayaquil, we headed north to Ambato. We chose this as a central spot to tour some of the outlying small towns nearby. The first shots are enroute.
The local pineapple store.
Mmm, good!
We saw many banana plantations. All stalks of bananas are covered with plastic bags to protect them from animals and insects.
We travelled by "direct" bus...which only seems to mean that it takes the main road and eventually gets there! While they don't stop at EVERY stop, they do stop when flagged down. People who do this seem to only pay what they can...unlike the rest of us tourists who paid the going rate at the bus depot. We're sure the drivers and buskers keep the money.
We have not eaten at any of the road-side stands since leaving Mexico. This is possibly because we don't actually recognize any of the food being sold??!!
The indigenous people dress like those in Peru and Bolivia. It was a bit chilly up here in the Andes; hence the little toque.
The scenery was absolutely spectacular!! They farm well up the hillsides, and the fields are almost vertical.
Don't try this at home, folks!! This is the OTHER bus!
Love the kid shots.
Panchos are the fashion statement here.
I shot this from the bus window. Men's hats, on both men and women, are also the fashion here.
Just love that little face!
Stands selling BBQ pork are very popular here.
We planned to be in Ambato for the local market day. We were not disappointed. This was not market day for tourists. For this day, we paid $40 and hired a taxi to drive us around town, to Banos and other attractions nearby. It was a great idea and we had a terrific tour. Thankfully, we have Spanish as most drivers don't speak enough English to give you a tour.
People come from near and far to buy and sell wares. This is the basket selling area.
A typical woman out shopping for the day.
Each indigenous group has a slightly different outfit, and very different hat.
Hey Mom, are we finished yet!!
Buy it or else!!
Peppers anyone??!
Fruits as far as the eye can see. Vegetables were in a different area, as were meats, herbs, etc.
Many, many little stands, as well as some larger ones. It is hard to see how they make any money with everyone selling similar products.
While selling other things, they work taking corn off the husks.
Lunch...but what is it??
Ralph loved this fellow! He's selling bras...how would you try them on, and wouldn't it be better if a woman were selling these??
If you buy too much, you can always buy another shopping bag!
Like Peru, there are many different types of potatoes. We don't get any of those types here, in Canada.
This lady is spinning while waiting for customers for her veggies. Never a restful moment. It seems to us, that in most of these countries the women seem to work the hardest. What else is new, girls??
These ladies had set up stands along a wall. We took the shot from above. Notice the large papaya-like fruit.
We have seem some very unappetizing displays of chicken. However, I think this one takes the prize!!!
Love that ice cream!!
Another view of the countryside as we head over to Banos.
If you wanted some of those grapes, or an orange, wouldn't you be afraid to ruin that display by taking one??
These were unusual homes in the hillsides. Appear to by adobe with thatched roof. Most of the building was wood or bamboo.
At the end of our tour, we saw Tungurahua volcano reaching up into the clouds. We were lucky to get this shot as the volcano had been completely clouded over all day, until this point.
Cuy anyone?? Otherwise known as guinea pig, it is a delicacy in Ecuador as well as in Bolivia and Peru. These are BIG guinea pigs!!!
Another unlucky pig.
However, this is the usual variety!
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