We stormed Ecuador by foot

There are no international trasport services between Colombia and Ecuador where we crossed other than our feet. After waiting over an hour for electricity to be restored, we finally got our exit stamps in Colombia and marched across the boarder bridge to wait in another passport line in Ecuador. Our first stop was Oltavalo for the famous Saturday small animal and artisan markets. The small animal market was a little like an outdoor PetsMart. You could buy anything from dogs and cats, to guinea pigs and baby ducks and chickens. Only it was a food market instead of a pet store. The artisan market was full of all sorts of beautiful alpaca, wool, and carved things to buy. It was fun to walk around barganing with the people, and listening to the 15 or so phrases that they use to entice the passing gringo. ¨Check it out. Machine wash. No problem.¨ It is also incredible how strong these people are!! They are tiny, but they are like the ants on the discovery channel with how much they can carry.