Saturday, January 14, 2023 – Photo of the Day – Manta, Ecuador

Where in the world are we?

MONTECRISTI BY CHIVAS

We enjoyed a fun-filled ride via the local Chivas Bus to the heritage sights and shops of Montecristi.

You’ve probably seen the Chivas before, molded into those adorable miniature ceramic buses sold at craft shops, complete with baskets of chickens and colorful produce strapped to their roof. But the actual-size Chivas Bus is Ecuador’s vibrant answer to mass transit. And it’s a bouncy, down-to-earth, wonderful ride. Chivas routes crisscross the country, offering reasonably-priced transportation between the towns along the coast and the interior.

Our Chivas ride today was a convoy-style transfer to inland Montecristi, with a local band riding atop one of the buses as the en-route entertainment. Beautiful little Montecristi retains the atmosphere and faded elegance of its Spanish heritage – and is also the authentic home of what has long been known as the “Panama hat,” misnamed years ago by Teddy Roosevelt during his inspection tour of the Panama Canal construction site.

At the first stop, we saw step-by-step how artisans make Panama Hats.

At the second stop, we learned how artisans made burlap bags for coffee export and straw baskets, jewelry, and other colorful handicrafts, too.