Riobamba

The high dry central highlands of the sierra. Riobamba Ecuador. We are here as guests of Stu´s to learn about camelids, as in camels in the old world, and their counterparts over here in the new. Llamas, alpacas, guanacos, and vicunas. People convening from all over the Andes, from all over the world. Nationalities represented diverse as Argentina to Sri Lanka. Bright dressed indigenas wearing chompas up from Bolivia and Peru. Stoic and finely dressed Argentines. Arrogant, leather shoed neck scarved Spaniards and Italians and many more characters in between.

All represented in no less equal mesure by a long barn of prize winning alpacas and llamas, even a few wild vicunas (the finest wool in the world and never domesticated). My favorites are the long dread locked surreys, a Peruvian alpaca variety full of character I feel. The whole place has a little bit of the feel of an Andean country fair.

So many sights, sounds, and characters, including this adorable little girl I captured. Proudly begging to show off her very own prize winner.