ECUADOR SERIES 2: Cotacachi, the city between two volcanos

_{^{Sunset on the road leading to El Batan Colony in Cotacachi}}

We arrived in the late afternoon at Cotacachi, on the last day of the Flower Festival, towards its end. Since we were too tired to go explore the city but too excited to sleep, we decided to have dinner downstairs in the hosteria's restaurant and then go for a short walk. The locals we spoke with were very friendly. Their Spanish accent was a bit different than what we were accustomed with, but we managed to communicate.

We walked on the cobble stones and noted that the streets were empty. Only a few people were on the streets. Couple of hours earlier they were filled with people, excitement and music. Now it was all deserted. It felt as if we were having a stroll in Naples during siesta time.

_{^{Road paved by the community El Batan without the help of the local authorities}}

Before we knew it we reached the outskirts of the city and saw the cobblestone road turn into a dusty one. Later on we discovered we had entered the El Baton colony, a neighbourhood where the Quechua indigenous people lived. They seemed a bit more reluctant to talk to us, but then later on, I was told also that most of them speak only their language: Quechua.

The golden hour made the landscape look even more beautiful. The sunset in the Andes was breath taking! As for the clouds and the views on the two volcanos Imbabura and Cotacachi, I was sold! I loved seeing the landscape change so fast as the clouds and the wind played with the mountains.

_{^{Inca Sun - sunset bathing the fields of El Batan}}

Although the sun was still up, the temperature was dropping and the wind felt colder. Fearing that we might catch a cold, we headed towards the hosteria. Cotacachi is located at an elevation of 2,418 metres (7,933 ft); no surprise it was chilly outside!

_{^{View over the fields and the Imbabura volcano}}

On the way back, we took another road and discovered a gated community with houses build from adobe, but at an American standard.

One of the following days we met an old American retired couple and thanks to them, we ended up visiting this community.

Before seeing these gorgeous houses I was under the impression that it wasn't such a great idea to have a house built from adobe. Two visits there and I would have moved in right away.

At that point only half of the homes were sold. It turned out that the constructor was building a similar project in Cuenca as well.

Cotacachi is also known as the "leather town" as there are many leather craftsmen living in there. There were more than 50 artisanal shops selling leather goods for some prices that would make you laugh. Probably a quarter or less than what you would be paying back home. As for the quality and design of their goods, I was blown away!

_{^{Santa Fe Ranch lobby}}

While we were in town, we also visited the Santa Fe Ranch and had a great time in there. It's an amazing place to have lunch or dinner. A bit pricy but it's an unique experience.

_{^{Street in Cotacachi}}

Why I loved Cotacachi? Because it was very clean, probably one of the cleanest places I have visited in the whole country. This is how the street looked like after the fiesta! I think we have to learn a lot from these people who managed to host a crowd in the order of thousands and still have their streets so clean!

_{^{View over the farm from the main bedroom}}

In one of few days we stayed in Cotacachi we also visited an eco-friendly farm ran by a Japanese woman who married a local. An incredible woman who dared to leave everything behind and move across the world to build a sustainable farm.

_{^{View of the lunch area on her farm}}

She and her husband were building their house by themselves, using adobe and straw bale. The photo below was taken inside of their house which was still under construction at the time.

_{^{Adobe house interior}}