May Walking

Clearing the camera ...always something fun to share.

Fun sign. There is a large group of French families here in Cuenca.

Padre Crespi is a local hero. Folks are working on one of the stages to make him a Saint.  This is a poster announcing museum exhibits telling his story.

A wine shop now open on Av Solano.

Major renovation underway to save this old building downtown.

Street art on the way to the airport.

A Parade of Drummers!  We think this group was practicing and learning.  Seems to be each Saturday down a side street.

The former Miso restaurant looks almost ready to open.  Landscape is done...

Turned out to be a nice building, but still no sign.

One day our walk took us past the 911 building.

Upcoming events.

Another renovation project downtown, right off the Square.

Bumper sticker on a wall, a very emotional subject regarding oil drilling in Ecuador.

The big Empresa building.

We were in this neighborhood to check out a new market across the street.

The market of food and crafts is open each Saturday from 9am to 3pm.  We got there about noon.
It's a small market, just getting going...










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Happy Belated US Memorial Day!

This 3 day weekend also means it's Ruth's birthday! 


Happy Birthday to Ruth!

Another Parade on Av Solano

This parade celebrated 60 years for the Fray Vicente Solano High School.  It make sense the school marched down Av Solano!

It was a long parade.  Perhaps all 782 students and 37 teachers took part.  The parade route began at the R Crespo round-about, with a flower arrangement placed at the statue of Solano.

 

 

 

 

 

Quinoa Fritters

Rich almost died and went to heaven when he saw a plate of these...He thought they were old-fashioned oatmeal cookies!!

No.  They were fritters made with quinoa!

Nancy has been making versions of these for a few years now.  Simple!  There are several récipes on line, but Nancy just makes it up:  some cooked quinoa, an egg or 2, some grated cheese, some chopped onion and garlic.    Nothing gets measured.  You aim for cookie dough 'feel'.  This batch was a little too thin/sticky, so some quinoa flour was added.  Then, she made little balls, flattened them and fried them in coconut oil.  Crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside.  Add a dipping sauce of greek yogurt and lemon...or some salsa, guacamole, sour cream...Yummy!

The next batch was a sweet versión, no sugar added.  Start with ripe mashed bananas, chopped walnuts and almonds, an egg, add cimmamon, cooked quinoa, some banana, quinoa and coconut flours.  Very tasty!  This dough was more soft, so you can drop the dough into the hot oil, flatten as you go...

Sweet or savory, these fritters are so easy and delicious.  We'd love to hear about your variations!

Buen Provecho!

Middle of the World, Quito, Part 2

(Continuation, Quito tour)

Our 3rd stop, at the 'old' Middle of the World.

Art in a museum.

The monument is huge!

Again, straddling the line.

 

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We walked  parts of Quito during this trip, getting to know the neighborhoods.  Always fun, on foot.

Here is a Church on a side street off Av Amazonas.  Beautiful inside, too.

Middle of the World -- Quito

Another trip to Quito and another opportunity to 'play tourist'.  We love Quito!

Our flight over the Andes was uneventful, right on time and smooth flying.  Beautiful clouds.

Our tourist adventure with Victor, this trip, took us to the 'middle of the world'.

First stop was to view a self-sustaining community deep down in a volcano's cráter.  Breathtaking scenery.

 

Latitude 0 was first calculated in Ecuador in the 1700's, prior to today's technology.  Then, it was re-calculated using the latest and greatest GPS and other advanced science.  Both locations are more than worth seeing.

Here we are, each on the side of the equator white line.

Our 2nd stop was to the new ('real') location.  We joined a 45 minute walking tour to learn all about Eucador's native cultures, flora and fauna and so much more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ancient burial customs.

Returning to the womb of Pachamama (Mother Earth).

 

 

 

Display on shrinking heads.

 

Our morning ended at the 'original' middle of the world.  Impressive monuments, museums, more history and science.
(Part 2)

Yes, touristy, but still all fascinating and lots of fun.