Ecuador-Friday, December 30th: Salinas

Left Guaranda after a breakfast at the hotel.  It was about a 30 minute drive to get to Salinas.

Salinas has an interesting history.  It is named for its salt mining but until 45 years ago was a very poor area.  We hiked out to the salt mines.  Going into the drying hut where the smoke was pouring out hurt all of our eyes, but was interesting. 

In the 1970s an Italian missionary helped to establish a fair trade co-op.  The locals worked together to produce cheese and share profits equally.  After that proved successful, they created other small businesses all as part of the co-op.

As we drove into town we were able to see people bringing in milk.  

Brought in my llama, donkey, motorcycle, or even just strapped to someones back.

It is a long daily trek made after milking the cows to get the milk to the cheese factory.

The milk is weighed and tested and the farmer is given a paper slip that is used to track their contribution.  We got to see the cheese being made and tasted some of the different kinds.  Our favorite was basil.

At the center of town, we got to witness election day.  What was interesting is it was divided by gender.  We were able to hire a guide to take us to some of the other factories.

We went first to the yarn making factory where they process sheep and alpaca wool. 

Their machines were donated from Canada and were built in 1915, but they keep them working. 

They keep the sheep and alpaca wools separate.  There were piles everywhere.  Brielle and Ethan found it so funny when my mom told them "We're going to see some dying next."  They do dye the wool in all different colors.

We then went to the textile store where they sell things they've made with the yarns. Brielle bought a poncho she loved. 

We stopped by the chocolate factory to see the process and taste the result.  Aji and Maracuja were new kinds of chocolates we tried and liked.

Next stop was the soccer ball 'factory' it is a family business run by 2 people in a small upstairs room. 

All the balls are handmade.  Each piece is cut out one at a time.

The boys were both very excited to choose balls to purchase. 

Finally we went to eat pizza for lunch. It is made with all local ingredients and was very tasty. 

It was time to hit the road after that. On the drive we ran into a few El Viuda groups (men dressed as widows), they were creating traffic stops with logs across the road begging for money.

Apparently it's a New Year's Eve thing, but these groups were starting a day early.  After handing them a few coins they will move their blockade and let the car past.
Preston serenaded us during our drive with his made up songs.  One of his favorites showed he was picking up on some Spanish.  Sort of.  The lyrics went: "Muchas Galasidas and a Happy New Year."