My friend Katie from the peace corp knows that I have a passion for the weaving process and the struggles of the people weaving. She thought I should meet some of her friends from Carabuela Ecuador. I was excited to meet them and see what they were making and chat with them. I was given directions of how to get there and I arrived 5 minutes early at the site only to find it empty of people. I called Katie and she said oops!!! You are on the wrong side of the mountain. WHAT ? are you kidding me !! She said she would meet me there in 20 minutes. 
Within minutes of me arriving I saw my 1st greeter and then it was 4 then it was around 15 of them. I played soccer with the kids then the parents and teens showed up …When Kate came over the mountain top and down the small trail to where I was she freaked out. She couldn’t believe that I had already met half the population of this small village.
She took me to meet the village elder and we talked about why they have been struggling to make ends meet. It all revolved around they don’t want to stop weaving by hand. They can’t compete with the big mechanical production looms in Otavalo. They showed me some of the Alpaca Clothing they weave versus what is sold in the Otavalo market. They were right the Otavalo products lack the texture and quality of the products made in Carabuela. 
The problem is, all of the world is looking for bargains now rather than a quality product especially one that might take a few more days to make and $2-3 more in cost. I fell in love with what they were making and think the wool clothing is fantastic. I soon will be selling some of their hats, scarves and sweaters on my site. 
The quality is really fantastic and they will make just about anything I want or can imagine. So if you have an interest in something woven and can’t find it. Let me know and I am sure I can probably get it made for you.
The family of weavers that I spent the day with were overwhelmingly nice to me. They were especially fascinated with my height and were I came from in Indiana. I showed them pictures from my camera and they were simply amazed at what the United States looked like. I’m off to another village now so until my next post enjoy yourself… Don’t forget about this great Alpaca clothing when the holidays arrive.
