What´s Going on in Ecuador

---

¡Saludos desde Ecuador!

My two weeks in Ecuador continue to evaporate before my very eyes, such a short time it is. Each day is filled with get-togethers, walks around the city, friends and family taking us out to see stuff, and just a little rest in between.

For instance, on Saturday I spent a good part of the day playing volleyball with my brother-in-law Fabian and his friends, as is their custom every Saturday. Before that, I took my morning stroll and passed through, of all places, the local cementary--more interesting than you might imagine.

On Sunday, Pachi, Agustina, my sister-in-law Juana, her husband Fabian, their son Lucas, my in-laws and I took a trip outside of Cuenca, to other parts of the province of Azuay. We started in Gualaceo, a small town with a vibrant regional outdoor market on Sunday. Afterwards we stopped briefly in another nearby town called Chordeleg before heading outside of it to commune with nature a bit. We walked along the Zhio River, surrounded by beautiful scenery and virtually no signs of ´civilization´. It was a notable day for Agustina, her first time visiting a market and her first trip out into the country.

Check back in the next couple of days to catch the entry I´m preparing for New Years. Tonight is going to be one heck of a party here in Cuenca, and I can´t wait to share it with you. Until then.....

Chao,
Shaun Hopkins
aka, Juan José
aka, El Gringo Trotamundos
aka, Señor Hopkins

---

Photos

wildflower
I noticed this along the Rio Zhio during our walk last Sunday. Did you know that Ecuador, in spite of being just half the size of Texas, has more species of vascular plants than all of North America?!

tres generaciones
Agustina enjoys her first trip to a traditional market in Gualaceo with her mom Pachi and grandmother Zoila.

A hike along the Rio Zhio
Here Agustina enjoys here first trip out in 'el campo'--the country--with her mom and dad.

Gualeceo's main plaza
Gualeceo is a small town in the same province as Cuenca, Azuay. It is said that 20% of its population lives abroad.

In the midst of Gualeceo's Sunday market
Here are some of the faces and typical products found in this small town's market.

cutting yuca
A typical vendor cuts her yuca in Gualeceo.

Corn, you say?
No! It's mote, a relative of corn and an omnipresent side dish and compliment to other popular plates in the Ecuadorian highlands.

not so traditional
My nephews Lucas (left) and Mateo enjoy a lunch with their Tío Juan José at the Mall del Río.

Mmmmmm, llapingachos!
My suegra (mother-in-law) cooks these mouth-watering potato cakes every time her yerno gringo comes to town.

Municipal cementary, Cuenca
A few of the different types of burials are seen here.

Plaque honoring immigrants
It reads, "In homage to the Ecuadorian Compatriots who emigrated is search for better days and died in the attempt."

Agustina's great grandparents
Agustina met her bisabuelos Mercedes and Octavio Quizhpi.

Comments

[ryan]

love it, more.. more...
Thanks for the entry and sweet Augustina's photo . Thanks for sharing your trip with me last night. I look forward to hearing / seeing more.

[Jenny]

Happy New Year
Dear Shaun, Hola! It was so much fun to read your blogs about your trip to Ecuador. I just read them today, and it sounds like you had a wonderful time. The pictures are beautiful, and it makes me want to visit Ecuador again! The people are so beautiful, and the scenery is breathtaking! You, Pachi and Augustina look terrific and make a lovely family! The hike looked like a lot of fun, and I loved the picture of Augustina and her great- grandparents - a true treasure for Augustina. She is a beautiful little girl and growing quickly! I am sure it will be difficult now in TX w/out your family, so I hope these 40 days go by quickly!!!! Call us anytime! Love, Jenny