Throughout our travels, we’ve always found special places to buy cultural gifts for our friends and family back home in the United States. Each city we’ve lived in has had its own unique shops and markets, perfect for picking up local souvenirs. Every place we’ve called home had vibrant markets that I visited frequently. Additionally, I’ve made it a point to discover talented tailors, cobblers, and jewelers at each location.
This is Marco, my go-to jeweler who has helped me fix various pieces of broken jewelry. While I am capable of repairing many of my items, I’ve needed an expert like Marco for the intricate metalwork. He is incredibly kind, does outstanding work, and charges fair prices for his repairs.
El Mercado Artesanal la Mariscal is a treasure trove of local goods, including colorful ponchos, soft blankets, charming llamas, a variety of stones, and stunning jewelry. Most vendors are indigenous men and women, offering delicious treats like chocolate and cocoa candies (ideal for high altitudes), coffee, and artisanal liqueurs. You can even discover beautiful artwork that we’ve proudly displayed in our home. It’s safe to say that many delightful treasures—large and small—await at The Artisan Market of Mariscal.
My absolute favorite plant here in Ecuador is pampas grass. It grows abundantly and is often sold dried in various colors. The sight of this grass waving gracefully in the breeze across the landscape is simply beautiful whenever we drive through Ecuador.
And of course, whenever I spot a leopard—though not in the wild—I can’t resist taking a photo. Stay tuned for my next post to see the leopard outfit I have in store!
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