23/07/2020
Sitting on the foothills of the Andes Mountains - Otavalo, known as the 'Valley of Awakening' is a magical and colourful region hugged by the Cotacachi and Imbabura volcanoes and cooled by the legendary Lake - Lago de San Pablo.
At the heart of the town sits one of my favourite places - Plaza de Ponchos.
As is custom each weekend the Otavaleños set up stalls of their art and craft and decorate their tables with colourful products such as textiles, bags, jewellery, ponchos, ceramics and Andean musical instruments.
I would love roaming through the stalls with my parents as they bought products from local artisans, being welcomed into homes and shops to meet the people and see the materials with which our products are made.
Here I would learn to admire the skill, intricacy, care and respect and above all, the love which these artisans put into their craft.
📸 Travel photographer captures Otavalo’s beauty.