Ecuador - Cuenca


A short flight from Quito is Cuenca, another high elevation city (2550m, 8370ft) in the Andes of southern Ecuador. Like Quito, the historical center of Cuenca is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also a popular place for expats so we thought we’d check it out for a few days. Despite less than enthusiastic initial impressions coming in from the airport, we found the historical center area quite charming with its grand churches, colonial architecture, markets, museums, riverside parks and plazas. As it happened we were walking around during Easter Sunday and we popped into a couple of churches. One had a beautiful sounding call-and-response type singing prayer (in Spanish, of course) that nearly brought Deborah to tears and that even this atheist found wonderfully atmospheric.

Cuenca was our last stop in Ecuador, save for a few hours spent at a charming hotel near the Quito airport (complete with two friendly dogs) where we ate and rested before our midnight flight to Miami, then Houston, then Seattle. I really hate red-eye flights but our original reservation got changed by the airline due to the problems with the 737 max 8. At least we didn’t have to deal with changing currency as we exited Ecuador They have used the US dollar as their official currency since 2000. There are Ecuadorian versions of some US coins, but otherwise it’s all pretty easy. And those Kennedy half dollars and Sacajawea dollar coins that you rarely see in the US? Well, they are everywhere in Ecuador!


More and more cities around the world seem to be adding these types of giant letters spelling out the city name, proving a ready-made photo op for tourists.


And obviously we couldn't resist.



The Tomebamba River runs through Cuenca and eventually merges with the Amazon










Lots of interesting doorways in Cuenca






Site of an ancient Inca city, part of the Pumapungo Museum, which also, strangely, includes a bird sanctuary.



(photo by Deborah)



In Plaza Calderon







Most Ecuadorians don't dress much differently than us, but many older women have this sort of traditional uniform of hat, skirt and shawl that is very recognizable.


Another example.






Flower market.



We unexpectedly stumbled upon this race through the streets of Cuenca old town. Seemingly thousands of runners were participating.


Distinctive blue domes atop the new Cathedral (La Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepcion)



The white building is the old cathedral. Dating to the 16th century, it is now a museum.
(photo by Deborah)


Pottery at the Museum of Aboriginal Cultures



Street art.
(photo by Deborah)



(photo by Deborah)



When you live in the mountains, there will be stairs.



Deborah's video of church singing




Goodbye Cuenca! Goodbye Ecuador!


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