We joined a tour from Quito on the last 3 days of their journey. The tour took them all around Quito and then to the coast, ending up going through the Cayas Mountains from Guayaquil to Cuenca, where we joined them.
There were 18 of us including the guides. People were from all over the US except one couple was from Belize. Interesting mix of people.
Day 1- we met the group in El Centro early morning and were off to our first destination shortly thereafter. As we were leaving Cuenca a parade was going on - a parade honoring "the third generation" (people over 65 years of age). Thousands of people were marching on the downtown streets. This day is set aside every year to honor la tercera gereración.
We would take the PanAmerican Highway the entire trip. This highway is a network of roads - 30,000 miles total with one gap (Dariēn gap) which makes it impossible to cross between South America and Central America by motor vehicle.
The views on this highway are nothing short of spectacular. Clear day with no mist or fog.
There were 18 of us including the guides. People were from all over the US except one couple was from Belize. Interesting mix of people.
Day 1- we met the group in El Centro early morning and were off to our first destination shortly thereafter. As we were leaving Cuenca a parade was going on - a parade honoring "the third generation" (people over 65 years of age). Thousands of people were marching on the downtown streets. This day is set aside every year to honor la tercera gereración.
We would take the PanAmerican Highway the entire trip. This highway is a network of roads - 30,000 miles total with one gap (Dariēn gap) which makes it impossible to cross between South America and Central America by motor vehicle.
The views on this highway are nothing short of spectacular. Clear day with no mist or fog.
Our bus at our first stop
Fresh, hot empanadas filled with cheese 4/$1.00
yummy.......
yummy.......
We passed through a small "town" called Susudel where they are noted for brick making
and growing hot peppers. This town is at 12,000 feet. The road from Cuenca is up a mountain and around and around. Very narrow roads without many guard rails.
Interesting tidbit: When you buy veggies or fruits at the mercado from the same person - to show their appreciation they give what's called yappa - like a bakers dozen but usually a lot more. Our fish person gives us enough 'yappa' for a whole fish meal, usually something we have never tried before.
The first town we stopped to investigate was Saraguro in the southern Andes.
This beautiful town has about 6,000 indigenous (Kichwa) Andean people.
They have lived in the traditional way for hundreds of years. No gringo's in this town.
Woman in front of church (plaza) preparing wool for the traditional weavings done by the men and sold in many areas in Ecuador.
This is a non-tourist town, off the highway, Our guide knows of an indigenous man from Saraguro
who volunteered to educate us in some of their ways. Notice his iconic hat, made of pressed wool.
We were told it takes two days to make one hat and they cost about $60. They are made of lambs wool and require one pound of wool per hat (one lamb produces one pound of wool,to put that into perspective).
The spots represent family, the inner circle is the core family and the spots around the inner circle are the children and the outer circles, extended family.
A group of school children observing a group of "gringos". They were very curious and watched everything we did.
Note: all school children in Ecuador wear uniforms. Public and private schools. Each school has their own color and design - skirts for the girls, shirts and usually ties for the boys. Gym clothes are also uniforms. These children are returning from play at school.
Town Square
We had lunch in Saraguro at a wonderful gourmet restaurant. The owner went to school in
Spain for culinary art and came back to Saraguro to open a restaurant.
Always juice for a meal, freshly squeezed.
Presentation was beautiful
Chicken and I think yucca - very good.
Dessert
One of the Chefs
The Ecuadorian owners and servers
Lovely
Table flowers
After lunch, off to Vilacabamba
Hills and valleys
Again, up and down mountains
So green, so beautiful
A billboard!
A small town along the way
Most houses in all the small towns and cities are two and three stories high.
Often times, younger people, parents and grandparents are housed together. That way the younger ones can care for the older ones.
Welcome to Vilcabamba
Day 2 coming shortly.
This beautiful town has about 6,000 indigenous (Kichwa) Andean people.
They have lived in the traditional way for hundreds of years. No gringo's in this town.
who volunteered to educate us in some of their ways. Notice his iconic hat, made of pressed wool.
We were told it takes two days to make one hat and they cost about $60. They are made of lambs wool and require one pound of wool per hat (one lamb produces one pound of wool,to put that into perspective).
The spots represent family, the inner circle is the core family and the spots around the inner circle are the children and the outer circles, extended family.
The indigenous people wear black wool garments, pants for the men, skirts for the ladies and shawls.
Note: all school children in Ecuador wear uniforms. Public and private schools. Each school has their own color and design - skirts for the girls, shirts and usually ties for the boys. Gym clothes are also uniforms. These children are returning from play at school.
Town Square
We had lunch in Saraguro at a wonderful gourmet restaurant. The owner went to school in
Spain for culinary art and came back to Saraguro to open a restaurant.
After lunch, off to Vilacabamba
Hills and valleys
Often times, younger people, parents and grandparents are housed together. That way the younger ones can care for the older ones.
Day 2 coming shortly.
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