This image called to me for the taking on a day trip we took with a friend in Ecuador. The back view of virtually identical hair braids streaming down vibrantly colored shawls is a cultural snapshot of the Andes themselves.
This particular group of women were at the Saquisili market some distance out of Quito. While there were a few souvenirs to be had there, this particular market was more for the locals and featured vegetables, chickens, eggs, animals, homemade sugar cakes, baskets and more. These women were on a weekly shopping errand.
If you are interested in taking this day trip yourself, you may want to consider staying overnight at Hacienda La Cienega in order to have time to visit Cotapaxi National Park the next day.
Photo Credit: Trek Hound – More of our pictures of Saquisili are available on our sister site, Pictures of Travel Places.