Cuenca - 8399 Feet Above Sea Level

6.1.18 Exploring Cuenca

What luck to arrive in this city during the festival celebrating the feast of Christ the King! I have never seen so many stalls of cookies, candy, donuts and sweet rolls! And of course the best way to enjoy it was to consume copious amounts of sugar. Even the bees were loving it! 

Every evening for a week residents and visitors were treated to a different fireworks show every night - and they were quite elaborate.

Cuenca factoids:
- located in southern Ecuadoran mountains
- known for Tomebamba River waterfront & "panama" hats
- Parque Calderon, the central plaza is home to Cathedral Nueva & 16th century Cathedral Vieja (now a religious musem).
- 700,000+ urban population
- center of the city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- filled with well-preserved Spanish Colonial architecture
- named for the 4 rivers that come together in a basin

The women were definitely more interesting in their native colors and "panama" hats - as opposed to the men dressed in jeans and short-sleeved shirts - who could have lived anywhere. Most of these photos were taken from behind, since the women were not too open to having their photo taken.
 

In the market, shamans were hard at work scrubbing the children

 with herbal remedies for good health of the mind and body.

Vegetables and fruit at the market.

There was a plethora of amazing architectural masterpieces in addition to the historic monuments all over the city - capturing its beauty and past milestones.

(Clockwise from top left) Virgin Mary; Abdon Calderon; Cuenca City Hall; 

streetscape with Cathedral in the background.

Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion

Museo Catedral Vieja (the old cathedral - now a museum).

Jesus and his 12 apostles

Other architectural styles (some with beautiful red marble)...

Graffiti everywhere - some very good - but I am NOT a fan.

The Tomebamba - one of the 4 rivers the city is named for. 
Supposedly the cleanest water in Ecuador - 
with its source the glacial waters of the Andes.

Flowers everywhere! How about a dozen roses for a mere $1.50? 
One of the largest exports from Ecuador to the US and Russia!

From now on, I will be correcting people who call these "panama" hats because these hats originated from - and continue to be made - in Ecuador. Our visit to the Homero Ortega factory, home of the genuine panama hat, was quite interesting. Amazing how they can take fibers and make them into some of the most amazing hats I've ever seen.

Kim is looking very stylish!

Me? Not so much. Might be the t-shirt.

Our next stop was the Ecuagenera Company, where the investigation, propagation, conservation and commercialization of orchids is of paramount concern. They make intergeneric hybrids capable of adapting and thriving in different horticultural environments around the world.  

And...they have traveled to Sarasota and plan to return here soon!

Love orchids! Most intriguing was the Dracula species.

(upper right photo) Notice the face that appears when the orchid is touched.

Our very last stop for the day was a visit to see Anna's workshop of hand-woven shawls (macanas). All the colors are natural dyes from the forest around her home.