Greetings..
I hope that you enjoy the following blogs that I posted today from the past few weeks. As you can see, its been pretty busy. The first two weeks of November are packed with work-related activities, and I'll be in the states for 10 days for Thanksgiving.
Looking forward to it!
Tuesday, November 6
Cochasqui Pyramids
A few weekends ago (hey, who said this blog needed to be in chronological order?) A group of us took the Panamerican Highway north to check out the Cochasqui Pyramids...
Here are some highlights:
A long way to Quito.
These pyramids are mostly pre-excavation- which means they appear as lumps below layers of earth.
Pyramid #14 is said to have magical powers, as llamas climb atop to propagate their species.
This pre-Incan empire had both a solar and lunar calendar.
Llamas ponder the heavens.
Notice the Virgin of Quito in the Background? I can't see her either, but she's there.
Here are some highlights:
A long way to Quito.
These pyramids are mostly pre-excavation- which means they appear as lumps below layers of earth.
Pyramid #14 is said to have magical powers, as llamas climb atop to propagate their species.
This pre-Incan empire had both a solar and lunar calendar.
Llamas ponder the heavens.
Notice the Virgin of Quito in the Background? I can't see her either, but she's there.
Ruins of Incapirca
While in Cuenca last week, my compañeras and I took a side trip to visit the Ruins of Incapirca, pre-Incan stone structures in the Provence of Azuay.
Here are some highlights:
Ruins of Incapirca - a complete village - including classroom, kitchen, community meeting room, llama guillotine.
Sarah, me, Katie, Meagan atop ruins. Apparently it's okay for people to be stomping atop the several hundred year old archaeological wonders.
Me, in guard station. People were shorter back then.
Niches were important things were kept.
I'd set up my village/kingdom in this atmosphere. It's quite nice.
Here are some highlights:
Ruins of Incapirca - a complete village - including classroom, kitchen, community meeting room, llama guillotine.
Sarah, me, Katie, Meagan atop ruins. Apparently it's okay for people to be stomping atop the several hundred year old archaeological wonders.
Me, in guard station. People were shorter back then.
Niches were important things were kept.
I'd set up my village/kingdom in this atmosphere. It's quite nice.
Cuenca, southern Ecuador
Since this past weekend was a double-holiday (Day of the dead and Cuenca's Independence Day), I went to Cuenca with Meagan, Sarah and Katie. Here are some highlights:
Who doesn't love a pristine, Colonial City? In front of Catedral Nueva.
A little too pristine - beauty contest winners of the "Virgin of Mirador"
...way to give teenage girls a complex, eh?
Jesus Christ, Superstar. Iglesia San Blas.
(Some churches seem to be victims of "When Trading Spaces Goes Bad")
Happy Independence, Cuenca! Let's set off fireworks dangerously close to old buildings.
"Día de los difuntos" / Day of the Dead Altar.
I really did enjoy Cuenca- it was a beautiful, peaceful city. I think I'm just a bit bitter because I got a bit of food poisoning this weekend. No worries, by Tuesday it was all gone.
Who doesn't love a pristine, Colonial City? In front of Catedral Nueva.
A little too pristine - beauty contest winners of the "Virgin of Mirador"
...way to give teenage girls a complex, eh?
Jesus Christ, Superstar. Iglesia San Blas.
(Some churches seem to be victims of "When Trading Spaces Goes Bad")
Happy Independence, Cuenca! Let's set off fireworks dangerously close to old buildings.
"Día de los difuntos" / Day of the Dead Altar.
I really did enjoy Cuenca- it was a beautiful, peaceful city. I think I'm just a bit bitter because I got a bit of food poisoning this weekend. No worries, by Tuesday it was all gone.
¡Cotopaxi!
Sarah and I took a trip to the town of Latacunga, south of Quito, so that we could visit the volcano Cotopaxi. Here are some highlights:
As you increase in altitude, the temperature drops, the air gets thinner, and breathing becomes difficult. Very few trees grow up here and the ground is covered with ash.
Me & Cotopaxi. Notice the snow-capped top and lava-influenced valley.
snow!
As you increase in altitude, the temperature drops, the air gets thinner, and breathing becomes difficult. Very few trees grow up here and the ground is covered with ash.
Me & Cotopaxi. Notice the snow-capped top and lava-influenced valley.
snow!
Guaguas de pan y colada morada
November 2nd is "Día de los difuntos" or "Day of the Dead" here in Ecuador. Most families get together on this holiday to make guaguas de pan or child-shaped bread and colada morada - a sweet berry and herb warm beverage. To consume, dip child-shaped bread in berry drink. Enjoy.
Last weekend, I went to a family party with Jessica, Martha Cecilia, Galo, and Diego, out in the countryside north east of Quito to a cousin's farm to create the guaguas. Here are some highlights!
Galo, Martha Cecilia, Jessica and I watch as the guaguas come to life.
Into the oven you go, bread children.
The colada morada simmers over the fire.
I decided to make a pajarito de pan / bird of bread.
Last weekend, I went to a family party with Jessica, Martha Cecilia, Galo, and Diego, out in the countryside north east of Quito to a cousin's farm to create the guaguas. Here are some highlights!
Galo, Martha Cecilia, Jessica and I watch as the guaguas come to life.
Into the oven you go, bread children.
The colada morada simmers over the fire.
I decided to make a pajarito de pan / bird of bread.
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