Wedding Research Weekend

This weekend kicked off our spring break vacation and Justin and I decided to start doing some preliminary wedding venue scouting and research. Our destination: Otavalo, an indigenous rural countryside marked by rolling green hills, cloud-shrouded volcanoes and the immense lake, Lago San Pablo. Otavalo is an easy 2 hour car ride out of Quito. It is an agricultural area, checkered with dairy pastures and corn fields. The neighboring town of Cayambe (named after one of the massive volcanoes in the area) is known as the world’s largest exporter of roses.

Drive to Otavalo

The drive out of a town is a pleasurable one as you leave behind the smog, dust, concrete and car horns and are gradually enveloped in green fields and soaring mountains. Justin and I both remarked several times to one another, now THIS is Ecuador. This is what we came to see. Our weekend research/retreat had four destinations: Cabanas del Lago, Hosteria de PuertoLago, (2 lakeside accommodations) Hacienda La Compania, (the estate home of a rose plantation) and a private family estate, Hacienda Pichona which all be described below.

We only experienced one small complication on our ride – a traffic stop. We’ve been told these are routine on Friday afternoons and evenings and are sometimes a way for the policia to take cash bribes in exchange for not issuing tickets. We’ve also been told that, similar to how they deal with power bills for example, they don’t play around. Driving during Pico Y Placa? Straight to jail. Driving without a license? Straight to jail. We both felt a pang of worry when we realized that all the other cars were being waved through, but the policeman had flagged down our car to stop. He asked for Justin’s license. Justin handed over his license. Phew! So far so good. Those 2 miserable days spent in purgatory at the DMV now seemed so worth it. Next he asked for matricula (registration). Now this might be a problem. If you’ve been following our car updates, you’ll know that we still don’t have the car in our name. We do have the registration but it’s under the prior owner’s name. In the US, this would clearly warrant further questioning. Justin hands over the matricula. Moment of truth. The policeman glances at it and hands it back. He asks Justin if the tint on the windows is new or original. Justin tells him it’s original. He nods and waves us on our way. YAY!! No locked up abroad today!

1^st stop: Cabanas del Lago

Cabanas del Lago

Open air restaurant at Cabanas

After driving through a poor, run down barrio we arrive at the entrance to the property.  It is stunning. The property consists of 27 separate cabins, each complete with their own front porch and fireplace. The landscaping is absolutely beautiful and the chirping of birds and clicking of frogs is everywhere. The main building houses a reception area, and a restaurant that overlooks the lake and nearby mountains Mojanda and Imbabura. A section of the restaurant is only walled on three sides by glass, the fourth wall being completely open the water. On the far side of the property is a mini marina featuring jet skis, kayaks, and other deportes del agua. Ducks swim by the dock as we eat dinner.

After dinner, an employee stops by each cabin and lights up the fireplace. It is incredibly peaceful. The next morning over breakfast, our waitress Paulina invites us to stay at her house next time we visit. She takes my email address. When she hears we are planning a wedding in the area she is overjoyed. She kisses us both and asks Justin if she can have a dance with him at the reception. He happily agrees.

2^nd stop: Hosteria de Puertolago

Cabins at Puertolago

Again, a very humble drive to the entrance of this property, located on the same lake, several kilometers away. This property is described as a country inn and the cabins are much more rustic looking. Each room also comes with a wood fireplace and all balconies and porches face the water. The view from this side of the lake is even more breathtaking. The enormous mountain Imbabura looms directly in front of the property, it’s base looks like a quilt of different shades of green and it’s top is hidden somewhere up in the distant clouds. It is unreal. The landscaping here is much more

View from the balcony at Puertolago

modern and manicured, giving it an almost Disney-like feel. Nestled under the overhang of the roof above our cabin sits a mourning dove protecting her modest nest. She doesn’t move from the nest the whole time we are there. There is also a waterside restaurant here and though it lacks the open air section of the first place, it compensates with a well-equipped billiard room. The owner of the property is an English-speaking ex-Miamian Cuban who explains he left Miami because there were too many Cubans. We share with him some details of the wedding we are planning. He does not ask Justin for a dance at the reception.

3^rd stop: Hacienda La Compania and Rose Plantation

Hacienda La Compania

Rose Fountain at La Compania

This is a private family residence/museum where the owners of the rose plantation down the road live. We had made an appointment for a Sunday morning breakfast in the grand dining room. We are served warm bizcochos and queso (the traditional biscuit of the region), humita (steamed cornmeal served in a corn leaf), ham and cheese, croissants, fresh papaya, watermelon and pineapple, coffee, and three different types of fresh-squeezed fruit juices.  The matriarch of the family joins us at our table. We are her only guests, apart from her daughters, son in law and grandchildren who all eat their breakfast at a nearby table. After breakfast she gives us a tour of the property including an original 17^th century Jesuit chapel, and an old granary-turned-showroom for all the 70 varieties of roses grown at the plantation. And though it is a cold and rainy morning, it is a

pleasant visit. We finish our tour with a private visit to the rose plantation where we get to walk through rows and rows of roses varying in color and height, some plants even taller than Justin.  One greenhouse is filled solely with red roses. The guide explains this is their Valentines greenhouse.

4^th and final stop: Hacienda Pichona

Hacienda Pichona

This is another private residence that serves as the family’s weekend home. It is a combination of a 5-bedroom estate, complete with its own chapel, and stables for its horses, rabbits, chickens, and llama. The front courtyard is made of round, grey stones with grass and algae growing in between the cracks, it makes the place look like a modern-day castle. I think it would make a beautiful backdrop for wedding photos. We hear birds chirping and a rooster crowing in the distance. Other than the sounds of nature it is incredibly quiet and tranquil. And the massive living room and fireplace would make an intimate setting for our wedding party to socialize.

I’d say our weekend scouting trip was a huge success and we feel we are getting closer to making some decisions. And to our future wedding guests I will say this, you are all in for an amazing, beautiful time!