Cowboys and Indians
Scene 1: Indians
The cast: Colombian indigenous people.
The location: The small town of Silvia, population 5000.
The action: The bustling and colourful Tuesday morning market . Through some kind of intuitive female shopping instinct Rach had arranged it so we were in the right place at the right time to go! There wasn´t much of interest for us to buy – it was mainly fruit and veg with the odd live chicken and pig, but as the only tourists there, is was really interesting to watch the locals go about their weekly shop.
Indigenous people, Silvia market
Silvia market
Indigenous woman, Silvia market
Stall holder, Silvia market
Potatoes at Silvia market
Scene 2: Cowboys
The cast: Us!
The location: San Agustin. This rural town can only be reached by travelling 120 km along a bumpy unpaved road. A journey that took an unbelievable 6 hours, including 4 stops to pump up the tyres, and 1 to tighten the wheel nuts. Between the 6th and 14th century a mysterious group of people buried their dead here leaving behind a collection of monumental stone statues.
The action: Us becoming cowboys for the day to ride around the archeological sites. I´m no expert but I´m pretty sure we made a canter, and no accidents to report. We had an amazing time and our guide was great. He didn´t speak a word of English and yet we managed to understand all his info.
Rob riding Dray
Rach riding Lucio
Parque Arqueologico, San Agustin
Parque Arqueologico, San Agustin
El Purutal, San Agustin
La Chaquira, San Agustin
San Agustin
Alto del las Piedras, San Agustin
And that was it – Colombia – DONE!
We couldn´t get enough of Cowboys and Indians though, so went straight in for some more in Ecuador!
Scene 3: Ecuador Indians
The cast: Ecuador indigenous people. No pictures here though as we felt we were imposing a bit when we took the camera out.
The location: Otavalo market - the largest market in South America, selling everything from ponchos to Panama hats and pigs trotters to chicken feet.
The action: Loads of stuff to buy here and we had fun wondering round and bartering with the sellers. Rach left a few pairs of earrings richer, and I got a much cooler cowboy hat.
Scene 4: Ecuador Cowboys
The cast: Us again!
The location: Lagunas de Mojonda – an old volanco crater lake.
The action: Fresh with my new hat there was no stopping me. A 3 hour ride up the lakes then a 45 minute scramble to the summit of cerro Taurichupa (3950m) to get some proper views.
Rob the cowboy
Rach at Lagunas de Mojanda
Great picture of the bag of potatoes!
I am guessing the lady on her way to the office in the bowler hat has not had sausage and mash, peeling those tiny potatoes would be a nightmare.
Love the post Rod, though I am not taking you serious as a cowboy until I see you wearing one of those Blue Ponchos. Now I know who`s good and I know who`s bad now what have you done with ugly ????
Cut to grey Tower of London – Cameo from Jacks in the office turning down a drink as still knackered from the weekend *wistful look on face imaginging horseriding in the sun*
There is a horse and a Caipirinha with your name on in Rio, we will be there in December, see you there?
Those caipirinha’s are a messy business, combination of a couple of those on the beach and horse riding could be lethal! However, a Caiprinha and watching some volleyball… now we’re talking!
Loving the cowboy hat – just like something from City Slickers! Are you going to be lassoing your beer from the bar when you get back home? Sorry to mention the ‘h’ word…
I´ll be lassoing you if you mention that “h” word again!
What, “hat” ?