Author: Troy Knight

Last Day in Ecuador

Troy, Tom and I arrived in Houston about 5:30 this morning and went through all of the necessary steps to get back to this wonderful country.  We had a busy day Wednesday.  WE were out of our apartment by 6am and took an early flight from Cuenca to Quito and needed to fill our time until our 12:55 flight Wednesday night.  Ecuador is in the middle of an presidential election and when we headed to the Grand Plaza to the Presidential Palace we were rewarded with two political parties in a minor clash.  Flags waved, drums rumbled, people shouted and it was soon over.  We did a bus tour of Quito so that Tom could see this city which is  UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Tom enjoyed the Basilica which is a wonderful Gothic design.  WE had saved the Panacello for the last stop and it was raining hard and the weather had turned cold and the visit was a bit disappointing.  A leisurely dinner and then Pedro Vega proudly drove us to the Airport in his red Pick Up Truck.  We learned so much about this wonderful country and its people as well as about what we are capable of.  I loved sharing it with those I love and with each of you.

Adios.

Sally

Zoologico Amaru – 2 (Photographs)

This is a follow-up to the Zoologico Amaru post Sally did earlier.  It contains a series of photographs I did for the Director of Economics at the Zoo for the zoo to use for publicity and fundraising.  This is not your typical zoo.  The Zoologico Amaru is one of the most interesting  zoos we have ever visited.  About 15 minutes out of town the zoo is literally carved from the side of a mountain consequently there is a lot of climbing, breaks for spectacular vistas, and surprises around every bend of the path.  The animals are housed in natural habitats and can be observed in an environment that is most comfortable for them.  The sign clearly states that the primary purpose of the zoo is to provide sanctuary and peace for the animals.  To get a good photograph of some of the animals is extremely difficult.  The photographs attached are for you to enjoy.  Feel free to copy if you would like.

Troy Knight

 

Concert in Catedral Vieja

The Catedral Vieja or Old Cathedral was the site of a Christmas concert in Cuenca.  The altar of the Cathedral shows life size representations of Jesus and his disciples at the last supper.  The choral of expats performed in front of this magnificent altar piece.   The program was music representing the choir members  from England, Germany, Spain and North and South America.  The performers were not young but their voices were full of energy and enthusiasm.  The final part of the program was congregational singing of very familiar carols.  First one verse in English and then one in Spanish.  We left the sanctuary one by one carrying a lighted candle into the night.  Symbolic of the light of Christ going out into the world.  Read more about Catedral Vieja here: https://www.ubicacuenca.com/info/catedralvieja

Adios,  Sally

Monasterio del Carmen de la Asuncion

December 15 marks the day Latin Americans truly begin preparation for Christmas.  This does not necessarily mean more shopping, baking or decorating, but it does mean returning to the sweet spirit of Christmas.  Troy and I returned to Iglesia Carmen de la Asuncion for the first service of the Preparation of the Birth.  The church founded in 1682 is beautifully embellished with pink and blue designs, several simple chapels and a glorious gilded altar that today was decorated to honor the Christ Child.  Like a stage, silver drapes were on either side of the main altar more silver across the top was outlined with tiny green lights.  Gold lame was draped between the silver panels and on top of that a rose bedecked crown that was about six feet in height and width was the center piece.  Streaming from the crown were yards and yards of fushia netting festooned with tiny white lights that randomly turned off and on.  On each side of this bouquets of calla lilies to honor the Virgin caught the eye then led the eye down to eight bouquets of pink roses with about 8 dozen roses in each bouquet.  The altar table was covered in white linen with hand embroidered roses bordering the cloth.  Despite the elaborate decorations, the service was simple.  Prayers for those who needed it, reading from the Gospel and the Old Testament, and two guitars playing traditional carols for the audience to sing along.  The offering plate was passed and a rather simple man passed his own paper plate and the congregation seemed to understand him and placed coins on the plate.  It was then time to pass the Peace and we took tiny Ecuadorian hands in our hands and felt a part of the congregation.  We slipped out during communion and felt blessed to have shared this experience.

Indigenous ladies of Ecuador

When the Spanish arrived in Latin America, they tried to force the indigenous people to dress exactly the same.  This was of course one method of controlling them.  The natives refused to change their way of dress and over the years each area of South America can be identified by the different style of dress and hat.  In Cuenca  women wear velvet skirts with a heavily decorated bottom that sways whenever she walks.  Her blouse can be anything and of course her hat is Panama straw.  These hats originated in Ecuador not Panama at all.  Usually her hair will be in pigtails and her baby or other portables will be tied to her back with a blanket.  We saw many of these ladies today working in the flower market featuring the roses, sunflowers, margueritas and carnations they grow for local use and export.