Decker Trip - Panamerican Highway 1966

Nov 5. We got up early and found out what the hot baths sign meant. They actually had hot showers--almost unbelievable. It was the only redeeming factor in the place. So I went downstairs and took a delicious hot shower and washed my hair--my cruddy, dirty hair. What bliss. Ken and Gordie took one too. My shower door had no latch on it, and fortunately for me and the man who opened the door, I was already dressed.
We left for Otavalo and got in about 9:30 when the market was all over--too bad. We did meet a lot of indians on the road coming back from the fair with their heavy loads of woolens etc--the women weighed down from chin to shoulder with their yellow glass beads, men in pigtails and bombachos.
We looked in woolen shops for some of the typical woven ponchos. They had some lovely hand-loomed shawls. We bought two for $1.00 each to give away.
After walking through the food market with the kids (and buying two little bread horsemen) we went back to the car and then to eat at a little cafe on a corner in town.
We had to go bad, so went around the building to the bathroom the man told us was there. There was an open doorway with people walking in and out and a very strong smell emanating. Outside stood a uniformed man, evidently in charge of the "restroom," selling sheets of toilet paper to those who desired. I asked if it was for women too, since I saw a man standing in a corner of the room going into a urinal. If I wanted one for just women, I'd have to go to the station, he said. This was for everybody. I finally screwed up my courage to go in with the girls, but the doors were all closed. He must have noticed my confusion and said, "Wait, I'll find out for you." Then he stood on tiptoe to look through the peephole in the door. Nobody there, so we were free to go in. Gave me kind of a funny feeling.
Had a good, plain meal, and left town. Just barely got out when the spring broke on the right side of the trailer. Ken went into town on a bus. We thought he'd be back soon, but the hours passed and no Ken. We had some interesting visitors during that time--some asking for money, others curious and full of questions. One man, when told we were going to Bolivia, asked how much we charged. (Lots of people think we are a bus because there are lots of busses just like ours).
As it got dark, I decided we might as well eat there, and tried to start supper. First, the pressure pump on the stove wouldn't work. Then the light wouldn't work, but finally both were fixed. Ken drove up just about as the spaghetti was finishing. He had two new shock absorber springs which he had to go to Ibarra for. It began to rain and got Ken, Gordie and Jeanie good and wet trying to change the spring which took several hours. It seemed like an eternity to all of us. The little kids went to sleep. Finally, it was on, and we drove back into town and found a garage to park in. Fortunately, we even had a roof over us so that we could set up the trailer, dry. Didn't have much to eat that day.