Two weekends ago was Fiestas de Cuenca, a city-wide holiday which celebrates Cuenca and South American culture in general. Artisans from South American countries came to Cuenca selling their goods. Traditional and modern Ecuadorian musicians gave free concerts all over the city. Traditional dancers from Ecuador and other South American countries performed in every square. And, traditional Ecuadorian foods were sold in parks all over the city. There was food, drink, dance, music, and other aspects of culture abound in Cuenca for four days. It was really energizing to celebrate and experience Ecuadorian culture with the entire city of Cuenca. Here are some photos of the celebrations, and of Cuenca in general.
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| Traditional Mexican dancers. |
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| Traditional Peruvian dancers. |
On Thursday, November 1st, my friend and I walked near the river to check out all the vendors and other festivities. We stopped to watch the different musical and dancing traditions of South American countries. Here are photos of Mexican and then Peruvian dances.
On Saturday, November 1st, I went to Parque San Blas to eat traditional Ecuadorian food. I was able to try Cuy, or guinea pig, which is very popular in the mountainous regions of Ecuador. Unfortunately I could not bring myself to eat more than two bites, mostly because cuy is served skin-on. Aka: my plate actually held half of a dead guinea pig, feet, bones, skin and all. While I did not take a picture of my actual plate, below is a picture (taken by a friend of mine) of cuy being roasted.
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Cuy
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Cuy was not the only food being sold at Parque San Blas for Fiestas. The following two photos are of chicken, pork, and potatoes being prepared. Please note the aprons with the large pouch in front. Vendors at the market, whether selling prepared foods or groceries, all wear these type of aprons. They serve as both protection for their clothing and also as a wearable cash box. Though the aprons in this picture do not have many pockets, most women wear aprons with multiple pockets, for different amounts of money. The safest and most efficient place to keep money in Ecuador is on your body. It is much easier to steal a purse or a cash box than it is to steal an apron off of someone's body. That being said, there are thieves in Cuenca, but I have not had any trouble yet, knock on wood.
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| Traditionally dressed women making chicken and mote. |
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| Roasting pork. |
To the left is pork being roasted. Funny/embarrassing story: the day before this photo was taken my friends and I went out to eat with some of our fellow teachers. One of my fellow gringas confused the word for pork, chancho, with a slang term for vagina, chocho when discussing what to order. At the time, I had not yet learned either term. When I went to Parque San
Blas, I attempted to recall the word for pork, but ended up making the same mistake and instead asked for a plate of vagina. This was very amusing, not only to the woman taking my order, but to everyone cooking and standing in line as well.
Aside from providing ample opportunities to experience Ecuadorian and South American culture, this weekend also gave my roommates and friends and I lots of time to play and bond with each other. Here are some pictures of my roommates and I being goofy in front of a jacaranda tree, which blooms purple flowers instead of leaves.
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Rafa and I attempting cartwheels.
Rafa is obviously much more skilled at this than I am. |
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| From bottom to top: Nico, Rafa, and me. |
