Cajas National Park

We traveled about 1 hour from Cuenca to Cajas National Park. Our destination was approximately 13,000 feet and a one hour hike through the paramo (watershed). At the peak we stopped at Tres Cruces, three crosses, which mark the continental divide for water traveling to the Pacific or East. On the ride up we watched the vegetation change as the altitude changed from eucalytus trees, to pine trees, to pampas grass, a 7 year bromeliad, scrub grass and paper trees over 300 years old. The ground in the paramo is spongy holding water and slowly releasing it below. There were over 200 lakes in the national park. We were fortunate to have a sunny, breezy day for the hike.

We returned to Cuenca to visit the Panama Hat Factory. Amazing how these hats are hand woven by the people. Once completed the hats are boiled, dyed, shaped, and sold from $15 to $700 depending on the quality. It was a learning experience, but I prefered the small shop in Cuence called Casa de Sombreros and Alberto, the hat maker. Alberto is mute, but was able to communicate with his eyes, expressions, wonderful smile, and hugs for everyone. He picks a hat for you and most times it is just what you want. He was the highlight of my day and my hat is perfect!!

In the evening we were treated to a traditional cuy (guinea pig)dinner. Wow, what a treat. We were invited to watch the grilling of the cuy before it was brought to the table. It takes one hour to cook on a very hot grill rotisserie. The cuy was very tasty, a lot of garlic. The meat is very rich. The skin was crunchy. Cuy is served at very speciall occasions or is a very ¨fancy¨ traditional meal in Ecuador. I would definitely try it again.

Cuenca

We have been in Cuenca for two days now. I love the city. It is very quaint and colonial. You can almost hear the horses of colonial times trotting down the narrow streets of the city. We visited an art museum, a huge cathedral and plaza, as well as a local market. Today we traveled to the ruins of Ingapirca. The Canare were the first people in the area and eventually were conquered by the Incas. I was amazed at their building techniques, stone cut and fitted together perfectly. They site was also built to be aligned with the solstice and equinox, or four seasons of the year. In the town of Biblea, we took the bus high into the Andes to visit a church of the virgen of the morning dew. The area is an agricultural region. Long ago they needed water. A man found an image of the virgen in the mountains. He shared that with the village and from that time they received the morning dew.
The church commemorating the event is built into the mountain. We are staying at the Hotel Carvallo which is a renovated colonial home, complete with courtyards within.