Started today with informal Spanish lessons after breakfast, then a great conversation with a local businessman about lief, real estate and apartments in Cuenca.
Cuenca (valley floor) is about 8400 feet above sea level. Today we went exploring east of Cuenca, dropping down through some beautiful green valleys to Gualaceo (lunch and a tour of a large market) at a little less than 8,000 feet, and back up to Chordeleg (gold and silver jewelry). Spent some fascinating time at the shop of a local (indigenous) weaver who is regionally and nationally famous for his fabric creations using a technique that involves tie-dyeing the strands of thread before the weaving is done by hand in his loom.
Returned to Cuenca in time to visit the museum/production facility for Panama hats (that's right, they originated and are made in Cuenca, not Panama. Tried to buy one from stock, but my head is too big for any of their standard sizes. So they agreed to custom make one for me (size XXXXL); I'll pick it up on Saturday at a total cost of $35.
Finished off the trip with a trip to Eduardo Vega's ceramic studio -- beautiful, colorful work at a spot high above the city. Mary picked up a neat surprise for Sarah.
Tomorrow it's off to Loja and Vilcabamba for 2 days. Lower and warmer than Cuenca. More beautiful valleys ahead.
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