If you love music, Cuenca is the place to be. There are musical performances pretty much every week. Many are free, or have a small cover charge. Tonight we had dinner at La Parola, and listened to Bobcat Jack perform his style of Blues. He popped up on the Cuenca scene while we were on […]
The Riot That Never Was
Walking home in Cuenca today I came across a group of protesters and an veritable army of police, many dressed in full riot gear with shields, helmets and tear gas canisters. The were two demonstrations going on, about three blocks from each other. One was at a plaza filled with anti-government protesters, while the other […]
20/20 (and 19/20)
We are both now legal Ecuadorian drivers — we both received our driver’s licences today! The process here is almost silly in the number of steps required, but we completed the last of the hoops today and walked out with our licenses. We can now rent and drive cars within Ecuador. (The International Driver’s License […]
Dramatic Elevator Rescue
Today we embarked on a short trip to Northern Peru, traveling with Alberto and Maite Soriano. It started off on an exciting note — we were stuck in an elevator! We loaded up our small packs and camera bag and got in the elevator at 6AM to go down to meet Alberto and Maite. The […]
Rainy Cañari Experience
We spent today at the “Kushiwaira Cañari Education Center” near Tarqui, to learn about the Cañari indigenous culture. As luck would have it, this was the first full day of rain we have had in about a month. We were fed a typical Cañari breakfast and a traditional Pampamesa lunch, where food was spread on table cloths […]
20 Years of Mobile Surgery
Today and for the next two days, we are with CinterAndes — a mobile surgery team that travels around Ecuador performing free surgery for those unable to pay for such needs. They obtained their surgery truck (shown above) 20 years ago today. It is amazing how much they can accomplish in such a small space. […]
Granda Era Has Passed
Incoming mayor Marcelo Cabrera greets the audience, kissing babies while protesters hold up banners Mayor Paul Granda left office today, as the new mayor Marcelo Cabrera was sworn in during a ceremony in Parque Calduron tonight. Two brass bands competed on the square — neither was very good… About a dozen protesters walked around peacefully […]
Police Car Celebration
I have mentioned several times that Ecuadorians find any excuse to celebrate, and that I always carry a camera with me because I never know when I will stumble upon another parade or party. Well, how about celebrating the police getting some new cars? Yep, that’s enough reason for a celebration around here! Evelyn and […]
Palm Sunday and Cajas Art
Today was Palm Sunday for the Catholics in town, but we started the day by returning to Lake Zorrocucho in the Cajas, where we spent last Sunday. Alberto drove us there again, and then Evelyn painted en plein air. We were joined this time by Shimi — an artist friend from Danville, back in the […]
Foundation Day
Cuencanas take any excuse to celebrate, and they don’t limit their holidays to just one day. This weekend is an example, commemorating Foundation Day. This is the day (celebrated for four days…) that marks the time 457 years ago that the Spanish declared Cuenca a city. As in North America, there are a few purists that […]
