Otavalo Ecuador During the 2024 State of Emergency

Otavalo Ecuador during the state of emergency while the government is battling the drug cartels and gangs. See how things are in town at the mercado, plaza de los ponchos, and supermarkets. How safe is it to walk about town and more.
ABOUT ME
I primarily travel solo but you don't have to to enjoy this channel. Working as a river guide during summers in North America I don't earn a lot of money and live close to the federal poverty level. In spite of this I live a rich life on a frugal budget. If you would like to learn more about traveling in Latin America or maybe frugal travel tips visit fastfreds.com/travel and if you would like to come rafting with me check out fastfreds.com/raft for details.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: / fastfred.river.rat
Instagram: / fastfred.river.rat
Twitter: / fastfredtravels
KZbin: / fastfredtravels
MY TRAVEL & VIDEO GEAR
www.amazon.com/shop/fastfredr... #CommissionsEarned
TIP JAR
PayPal: www.paypal.com/paypalme/FastF...
Venmo: account.venmo.com/u/FastFredR... my last four digits are 5926

[@BibleSamurai]

I was there a month ago. That part of Ecuador is chill. Wish I hung out there more than Cotacachi.

[@WoodyReyes]

Great job Fred, you remind me of an old friend of mine which i lost contact with him many years ago. My wife and i are getting to retire in Ecuador as soon as we sell all of our stuff.

[@FastFredRuddock]

Which part of Ecuador do you like most?

[@plantitasp]

Otavalo is such a pretty city, my mom is from there but I never actually lived there but I would like to at sme point. I want to live in those pretty mountains

[@FastFredRuddock]

Otavalo is one of my favorite places. The climate is nice and the people are even nicer. I love the local culture. I think it is one of the safest place I have visited anywhere.

[@jorgeflores8056]

Good for you brother Don’t feed into that fear Ecuador is beautiful

[@FastFredRuddock]

Thanks you, I really feel pretty safe and I know Ecuador's geography pretty well so it is easy to avoid the well know trouble spots. The US has it's share of trouble spots too.

[@dad04nat]

Awesome Fred....Damn I miss Ecuador

[@FastFredRuddock]

I hope you can visit Ecuador soon.

[@2freakout]

Thanks fro your info and show... I was in Otavalo for 2-3 months in 1976. I got scared of the tremor and left. I had an English friend there. I met him first on the street in Quito and I asked him for some advise and he recommended Otavalo. At the time he was married to an Ecuadorian, his wife was pregnant. Unfortunately, I lost contact with him after I left. I wonder where he is and how they are doing?

[@FastFredRuddock]

I really like Otavalo and Yambiro as well as the La Runa.

[@2freakout]

@@FastFredRuddock I spent only 1 night in Quito and left for Otavalo after talking to that English friend. Stayed in Otavalo 2-3 months, I think. I can't remember that well... I do remember I had to go to Columbia exit out of Ecuador and come back into Ecuador to extend my visa. I am not sure how that went at the time. I was restricted to Otavalo because I had no money. I rented a little room made out of clay for about 4 US monthly and was like living on 1 US daily for food. I didn't travel around; only in the vicinity. I recall that I went hiking with a few other travelers to Lago Mojando I think, but left after 1 night there. rainy and cold for me.

[@2freakout]

@@FastFredRuddock I saw your video on Yambiro, but couldn't find any on La Runa. Do you have a video on La Runa? Nice place for free hahahaha

[@FastFredRuddock]

@@2freakout La Runa is the name local people use to refer to themselves. If you go visit Antigua Fabrica San Pedro to learn more.

[@2freakout]

@@FastFredRuddock OK. I thought it was a place hahahaha Thanks for clearing that up

[@darrellandsondraholden9457]

The word is Mer ca do...not Mer cay do!

[@FastFredRuddock]

Sorry my southern hillbilly speech apparently offends or triggers you. At least I'm not rude.

[@ImogenX61]

You say mercarrrdo I say mercaydo you say tomayto I say tomarto 😂 !

[@freerange6739]

Fred its Merc AH do

[@FastFredRuddock]

What's up?

[@larrypicard8802]

How long have you been coming to Ecuador?

[@FastFredRuddock]

About ten years...

[@2freakout]

Did you sell out your house in USA and bought in Equador, how did you do that? What's the cost of living in Otavalo. I mean just to rent privately a small room or a small apartment with very basic stuff. I was a traveler, in my days in 1976 there, and I lived very basic as cheap as cheap could be because I had no money. I had no money for a analog camera in those days either. I am thinking, just thinking (nothing really serious yet) about coming back but now retired hahahaha. In those youthful days I was not worried about anything but to find a place to sleep and the next meal. Today I worry about almost everything hahahah crazy! Health care - eye specialist, dentist, etc. Do you know if there is a vegetarian restaurant in Otavalo. The last time I saw my English friend there he had a small vege restaurant. I am very curious to know if he is still around. I remember there was also a small pancake restaurant where all the traveler end up and would chit chat away (it was like on the norther side of the Saterday mercado). it's almost 50 yrs ago

[@FastFredRuddock]

I have never paid more than $250/month for a nice apartment in Ecuador. Currently I return to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Tennessee to work rafting season each year. I make enough for another year each season.

[@2freakout]

@@FastFredRuddock Thanks for the info. Ok. I thought you were already retired and living permanently in Ecuador, BUT that's nice you can work, save and head back. My guess is that you can live with around $500 all in monthly (rent + food and travel) around - no fancy luxurious life...

[@FastFredRuddock]

My beer costs money too but I live cheaply.

[@2freakout]

@@FastFredRuddock Got je.😁 Very understandable.

[@charhall7702]

It’s mercaaaaado. As in cah sound.

[@FastFredRuddock]

I speak southern hillbilly. Sorry if you don't like or appreciate my accent. I am largely self taught Spanish.