Laguna Quilotoa Shopping

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Shopping in Ecuador is a joy especially when you are away from touristy areas. Indigenous vendors enjoy their work and interaction with their customers. It's playful and never taken too seriously. Stands can be incredibly simple, sometimes nothing more than a blanket on the ground. It's a sensory experience too. Colorful to the eye, ear, and nose, sometimes in an unpleasant way.

What to buy: Fruits are favorites with locals and gringos alike. We were there during the cooler months so it wasn't the best time for exotic tropical fruits but it was the season for tree tomatoes which make great juice material. Oranges and bananas are plentiful too. One of my favorite was yucca bread, somewhat like corn bread with a slightly sweet flavor.

What to pay: I paid 50 cents for a whole bag of tree tomatoes, I think there were eight of them. A bag of ten yucca breads was similarly priced. Didn't have to barter with prices like that!