Fly time. To
Ecuador: Cuenca. I had vacillated
so long about a cross-country road trip.
Plans were in the works but when a couple of friends cancelled in having
me stay with them and the weather in the southern US turned chilly … well, it
just became frustrating. Wondering… I searched near what I’d heard was an
ExPat community in Cuenca and found this gorgeous AirBnb home. SOLD! To me! GO
THERE! Paint, ponder and enjoy the
local thermal pools. And .. miss
my grand children, of course …
 |
| Me and Jessica |
Skimming the surface of the highest level of clouds from my
Copa flight over the eastern seaboard, I look down, southeast toward the
morning sun reflecting silver-gold on the sea surface far below, freckled by
low puffy clouds and their grey shadows.
Quito: A quick overnight with Jessica and Lulu Arboleda
(from my original host family). It
was SO good to catch up – Lulu and I both tearing up. It has been nearly nine years since the last time we saw each
other. So much has passed in
between. But then it is like no
time has passed. It was yesterday.
 |
| La Casa del Tío Shanta |
Cuenca: On a
mountain side looking down at the lazy river of buildings flowing through the
valley below. The burnished light
of morning is gently pushing its way between the blue-grey clouds and heavy mists
on the hills. Birds sing
everywhere. Distant yips of dogs
and the rumblings of early morning traffic color the air. Hummingbirds flitting to and from the
feeders that are just beyond arm’s reach through the huge windows. Giant pane glass windows cheerfully
invite light and air and the life of the hillside world to come into the
rustic, hand-hewn kitchen. This
open kitchen is warm with color, wood, large sienna tiles, and a cheerful
orange Peruvian tablecloth. This
wonderful ambiance reflects the warmth of the people who created this
paradise.
 |
| Zilpa and Santiago's horse |
Zilpa & Santiago
built this home, made the bricks, imagined a life here that they now share with
people from around the world as an AirBnB. A life of a beautiful vista, their grandchildren and
children (who are in and out), dogs, rabbit, chickens and a wandering palomino. Open spaces, open hearts. I think I’m going to like it here.
 |
| The Flower Market Cuenca |
It’s Carnival weekend (very different carnival from Puerto
Rico or Mardi Gras) but I’m rather avoiding downtown at this time. Crowds, water balloons, some fireworks, and foam
spray. That is this Carnival. For a day or so. Then everyone takes off, out of the city, everything shuts down, and locals go visit family and friends and have reunions with food, drink, and music. It's rather like Thanksgiving in that sense.
Soon I will learn the necessary bus
routes, and now that my altitude sickness is past, I can start walking
more.
Gorgeous weather today!
No comments:
Post a Comment