Photos!

Visiting my friend Estefania in Quito, her mom was kind enough to invite me inside her market stall. (See more about Estefania in my food for thought page!)

The following are random festivals in Cuenca!

Venezuelan Day!

Universidad de Cuenca celebrating 150 years

Diversity Fair celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities and freedom of expression

P.S. I loved seeing this fair because Cuenca is known as the most conservative and religious city in Ecuador, so it was extremely liberating seeing Cuenca expand its horizons little by little!

Fun Fact: Ecuador likes to celebrate everything and anything! I am never bored on the weekends becuase there is always something going on. I especially love all the cultural festivals that there are.

The following are just beautiful views of Cuenca (for the most part)

This is actually in Azogues just outside of Cuenca

This is Chordeleg home of beautiful silver jewelry, also outside of Cuenca.

On the way to Parque Paraiso

Just a thrilling swing at Turi (a church at the top of a mountain that is famous in Cuenca for its views)

Cajas National Park: for the most part it is really cold, cloudy, and rainy here, but we were very lucky in choosing this beautiful sunny day!

The following pictures are all from the kiddos at Fundación El Arenal

Parque de Colibris! They love this park and they love being little monkeys!

The kiddos wanted to make tacos (I swear I had nothing to do with this)

p.s. I love tacos!

Lounging around after a long day of cooking...

I wonder if they enjoyed their tacos as much as I did!

The kiddos have been learning about recycling and sustainability, so here they are planting their own plants!

Volunteering tip: Often times, in order for kiddos to get close to you, you kinda have to let them climb all over you, allow them to give you funky hairstyles, and let them see the photos in your phone, so that they get a better sense of who you are as a person.

This one is actually in Azogues, just outside Cuenca, but it was a cute little one!

Fun Fact: Cuenca is known for its beautiful architecture, especially the 52 churches all around town! 

        

My host sister chomping down on choclo con queso (corn with cheese)

My beautiful host family: Mia, Doris (mom), Jose (dad), and Zoe

My host family invited me on their family vacation! I had only been living with them for a little over a month and they have treated me as a part of the family from the start. We had our vacation on the coast: This is (for the most part) Salinas.

Fun Fact: Tourists get excited when they see iguanas hanging out at the park, Ecuadorians get excited when they see squirrels at the park (squirrels are rare to see). 

Women of Principal, Ecuador weaving panama hats (one of their main sources of income). 

Fun Fact: Panama hats are actually from Ecuador the hats got their name because of their method of transportation (via the panama canal) and where they were mainly sold. 

 Oldest method to weave... cotton and alpaca fur are formed into yarn, then dyed with natural colors from nuts, seeds, fruits, plants, rocks, and then weaved with this contraption. Although one can make anything out of this yarn, this is specifically the Makana workshop in Ecuador. Makana is a quechua (language of an indigenous population) word for shawl.

 See those small cups...it's called Canelazo a warm alcoholic beverage made with cinnamon. Canelazo is not only consumed in Ecuador, but also Colombia, Peru, and I believe some parts of Argentina.

An indigenous group sharing their beautiful traditional dances, I really wish I stopped and asked more about this event but our tour bus arrived soon after :(

       

Ahhh Corpus Christi the week where you eat a whole bunch of candy, and enjoy a display of fireworks aligned on this castle every night. Besides that however, Corpus Christi is a catholic holiday celebrating the body and blood of Jesus Christ transformed as the holy bread and wine during the last supper.