One of the best days for beautiful weather

I'm always out of the apartment before 10am on Thursdays to go to the English-language book exchange, and I spent a full day today seeing more of Cuenca.  I met a friend at the book exchange and when we left at 12 noon, we met another friend at an Italian Restaurant for lunch.  (Have I mentioned there are restaurants of every "flavor" here?  I had lunch on Wednesday at a Mexican restaurant. Every meal I've had has been excellent.)  We were near the Museum of Modern Art, so we spent the afternoon here (for a voluntary donation only):

There were many large and outstanding art installations.  Most were inside and some of the most creative work I have seen -- and difficult to photograph, but this example was outside in the large court yard:

There were daisies with bees

 One of the many interesting ceramics

 In addition to the large court yard, there were also smaller gardens:

with sculptures    

and flowers

 

and perfect plants 

and interesting trees

There was another art gallery nearby.  My favorite piece because it depicts colorful Ecuador.

 San Sebastian Park and Cathedral are just across the street.

Dramatic sky

more interesting trees

more beautiful flowers

and grandmother in the park with the children

What an absolutely wonderful day!

Christmas Eve Parade 2011

The Cuenca Tourist Office describes the Passing of the Child Parade held on Christmas Eve in these words:  “This celebration reflects, as well as few others do, the culture and traditions of a people who expresses its beliefs in multiple and diverse forms of folklore.  The parade has as its purpose to adore the Nino Dios (God as child).”  Several pages of explanation follow in a pamphlet (written in English) describing the history and description of the participants of the parade which started at 10am and lasted until about 5pm.  It traveled from one Catholic Church (San Sebastian) along Simon Bolivar Street and ended at another Catholic Church (San Blas) where I understand a celebration was held.

      A friend and I were on the street at 10am for the beginning of the parade, but we were “saturated” and tired by the huge crowd, loud bands and the colorful procession of many, many people representing Cuenca and villages of Ecuador.  It was a wonderful experience and I took numerous photographs in that first two hours.  This is just a sampling:

These girls/band were first participants in parade

Detail of the dresses

A favorite theme:  children as angels 

Even dancing barefoot for hours

Dancers from many indigenous groups:  very colorful and exciting music. 

Happy girls with their goats

Man playing traditional horn

Young boys (both riding on their father's shoulders) one dressed in traditional clothes, the other dressed as Santa:  blending the old and the new

Villages of all economic status are represented, simple and affluent

Beautiful young girls in gorgeous dresses on horses were common:

And who could resist these faces?

The pride and care shown by fathers: a wonderful (common) occurrence and something I had not expected