Earthquakes, street performers, Cathedrals and ice cream.

 I have only experienced one earthquake in my life before I came to Ecuador. Within the last week we have experienced two. The first one was on September 1, and consisted of two very minor shakes at about 10:44 pm while we were just getting to sleep, and we didn’t hear any commotion outside. We were wondering if that’s what we truly felt. The second one was on September 6, and it was a bit more intense in that it lasted for several seconds.  It occurred at about 9:12 pm while we were watching Netflix. Afterwards, we heard people exiting their apartments and talking, and people were making phone calls on the balcony. It was a bit scary. But this is something I don’t think we will forget.

One thing I really enjoy doing while we are here is people watching. First of all, so many of the people here don’t reach 5 feet tall, and I love seeing the traditional dress that some women wear. Those are primarily older ladies and a lot of those ladies are selling fruit on the side of the road. And those Panama hats, I read online that they originated in Ecuador. Anthony said they are called Homer Ortega hats.

We have found an ice cream place down the road that we visit just about every night. It is located at a busy intersection and is a one stop shop for street entertainers and vendors. We have seen people juggle fire batons, and balls, and one guy that bounced a soccer ball on his head. These performers entertain people that are stopped in their cars at the redlight and then, if the driver desires, hands them money as the entertainers walk by when the light turns green.

Also, there is a place right beside the ice cream shop that is pretty busy and so we decided to try it out. You can get a bowl full of fries and a weenie for $1.00. And there are three sauces you can squirt on there. One of them looks like ketchup, but is much sweeter and watered down.

We visited two Cathedrals here, the Old Cathedral of Cuenca and the New Cathedral in Cuenca. And the word “new” is used loosely, as construction on it began in 1885. In most tourist pictures of Cuenca, the New Cathedral is shown with its three blue domes. It is pretty on the outside and ornate on the inside. When we visited there were many people praying on the many alters and in the pews. I tried to be discreet while taking pictures so as not to disturb them.

The old cathedral, which is called The Church of the Shrine, was the main place for Spanish worship during the Spanish colonization and is now a museum. It was constructed in the mid 1500’s. What is interesting is that only Spaniards were allowed to worship here while the indigenous people had to worship outside or elsewhere.

From what I understand, the temperature of Ecuador, being close to the ecuator, is pretty much the same year round, but apparently there is a rainy season. With the temperatures being moderate, there are many pretty flowers that we have gotten to enjoy. This next pic is a big bush (tree) of lantana. My friend Caroline has this in her front yard and it is so beautiful but will never get this large as they die down every winter.

Speaking of flowers, we had a nice surprise of a vase of flowers in our apartment from a housekeeper one day after returning from a day of touring.

Speaking of touring, one important fact we have learned about Ecuador, or at least in the cities we have been in - a crosswalk means nothing. Pedestrians NEVER have the right of way. Even if you are on a street corner that has a walk indicator, you better not go until you have carefully checked in both directions and for turning vehicles. Only then, can you cross the street, and you better not take your time doing it.

Another important fact we have learned is to try to avoid walking near busses which is impossible because they are everywhere.  Every time a bus accelerates, a big plume of black smoke comes out of the tailpipe. If you are unfortunate enough to be walking near a bus, you will get doused with a good dose of black smoke.