Cobblestone Streets of Cuenca

Here we are in Cuenca, a colonial city that is colorful and clean. We kicked off our first day by checking into El Cafecito and touring the town on foot.

Back at the hostel, our dorm room opens up to a lively bar scene. Here we started the night, had our palms read by a gypsy and later walked through cobblestone streets with a bright moon overhead speaking broken Spanish and laughing. We layed doesn in the middle of the road and felt like young free travelers up for any adventure. Shortly after, we ended up at La Mesa, a hole in the wall salsa club. We danced until early in the AM, sweating on a dance floor as old as the conquistador´s reign.

Cuenca to Villcabamba via Loja we passed through rolling hills with low growth pine almost like a wild Christmas tree farm. It has a beachy feel with a mixture of grasses and rock beds with sand dunes. the land is not farmed like in other parts and not quite as steep. The Panamerican highway, at least in this portion, is very well maintained. Our driver speeds through low-hanging clouds.

We´re traveling where verdant pastures bleed into red rock and eroding yellow clay. The women in Saraguro walk proudly with black ponchos secured with ornate silver pins that sparkle even in overcast weather. Women here are efficient and wise. They knwo the land and how to navigate the changing seasons and changing times as modern influences present new challenges. They pass down their customs and work communally to raise the new generations to be stewards of the land. The beautiful land and wise mother earth is reflected in the wrinkles and wisdom of these women.

Breathe deep, the world is rich with wonder...