CHRISTMAS IN CUENCA ECUADOR - MEET PEDRO AND HIS FAMILY!!!

We met Pedro at Sra. Marianetta's Juice Booth about two weeks ago.  He sat at our table, and he and I conversed in Spanish about Cuenca.  I asked him questions about his life.  Pedro works as a long-haul truck driver in Cuenca, and he's studying for his high school diploma.  He told us that he lived in New Jersey for almost 10 years to earn money and then came home several years ago after the wonderful changes President Correa has made for his country and his people.  On Saturday, we ran into Pedro again, unexpectedly, while on our morning walk.  We stopped and chatted, and he then asked us how we celebrated Christmas back in the States and what we were doing for Christmas in Cuenca.  Suddenly, he said (in Spanish, of course), "Come with me to Yunguilla.  I'm going to see my family today, and I want you to come."    He hadn't been home in over a year because of his work and studies.  We accepted, went home to pack our backpacks, and before we knew it we were going to Dan Dan, a small community outside of Yunguilla, where he was born and raised and where his parents have lived all their lives. The bus was full, so a 12 passenger van picked us up for $1.50 each (and others along the way) and we headed for Yunquilla.  It was a beautiful ride, and we arrived in Yunguilla about 1 1/2 hours later.  Pedro then called for a local driver who took us up a narrow winding mountain road (for 50 cents each), and about 15 minutes later we were on top of the world at Pedro's parents' home.  It was two glorious days of being embraced by his family and community, a time we will never forget!!!

Pedro, home at last and ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!!!  This is a short walk below from where his parents' home is.  I can't describe the beauty and peacefulness we felt being this high in the mountains of Dan Dan.

Bo, sitting in front of Pedro's family home.  The room on the left is the kitchen.  On the right is the bedroom.  It is a very humble home with a lot of love.  His parents gave us their bed for the night, and Pedro slept on a mat on the floor.  They slept on a mat in the kitchen.  To refuse their kindness and hospitality would have been rude!

 Their water is pure and drinkable.  We would wash up outside at this washstand. Their outhouse has a flush toilet and electricity.  They grow all their food, and to the right of the washstand were abundant coffee plants.  Their fresh ground coffee was delicious and we consumed much.

We learned about Ecuadorian life and different and delicious Ecuadorian foods from Pedro's mom (his cousin Olga is behind Sra. Rosa).  Pedro is holding a plate of Freshly cooked Camote and Yucca picked today from their producing land. 

 To the left of the house is another building that is the original house on their land.  Here, Olga is getting ready to cook us dinner on an outside propane stove.  They raise cows turkeys, roosters, chickens, and Cuy (Guinea Pigs).  They also grow all their food and have over 10 acres of land that is producing abundant fruits and vegetables.

 Breakfast on Sunday Morning was Camote (a delicious sweet potato), Yucca, Frijoles, Rice, and a chunk of cheese (Queso Molida).  Sra. Rosa told us that a hearty breakfast is always served because they work all day and rely on this for their daily energy.  To watch Pedro's parents work from morning to night was very humbling!

Sr. Salvador, Pedro's dad, enjoyed sharing childhood stories with Bo.  He is 76, cannot hear very well, and he had no clue that Bo couldn't understand most of what he was saying.  Bo listened and nodded and smiled.  Sr. Salvador is holding a plate of tiny animal crackers and individually wrapped caramel candies, which is what they served as appetizers before our meal.

After breakfast, we walked on this cobbled and dirt winding road for miles and miles.  (Its a good thing Bo and I have been climbing stairs for exercise, or we both would have died!!!)  Pedro wanted to introduce us to his community of family and neighbors.  He told us we were the first extranjeros (foreigners) he had brought home to his people.  We were touched by the warmth and welcome we received as we met neighbors, cousins, friends, and family along the way.

 Pedro's cousin, Flora, is a tomato farmer.  She has many greenhouses with the tallest and most abundant tomatoes we've ever seen.  Her husband is in Connecticut working.  She returned here five years ago with her two teenage children, but said her heart is still in Connecticut. 

Me, Flora, and Bo showing off Flora's harvest.  Flora wants us to come back for a visit so she can prepare us a dinner of fresh caught Tilapia which she raises on her land.  She is so kind and we enjoyed meeting her and touring her greenhouses.  Her children were beautiful, polite and respectful.

After miles of walking in sunny warm weather, we stopped at this Tiendita to buy some cold beverages and meet more of Pedro's people.

 This is Marielena and her three children, whom she is raising while her husband is in New Jersey working.  It's been over 6 months since she's seen him.  Many of the women here are raising their children by themselves without their husbands.  She runs this mountain store to provide for her children.

This is Wilson.  He is a friend of Marielena.  He listened to our conversation and politely nodded and smiled the entire time.  When I asked him if I could take his picture, he jumped up and was ready to pose.  Everyone is excited for me to bring them copies of the photos I took.  It was a rare experience for them to have their pictures taken.

Along our walk, we ran into Sr. Salvador.  Pedro does not have a photo of he and his father together.  NOW HE WILL!!!!!  The Ecuadorians are a short statured people.  Bo is "El Gringo Gigante."  He receives a lot of stares, especially from children because of his size compared to this tiny people.  Me, I feel right at home!!!!

We continued our journey and came across another hard-working family in this beautiful community - Flora and her husband, Juan.  Flora was holding her baby while she sorted the tomato harvest with one hand.  Children are right along side their parents, and every child and teenager we encountered extended their hand or cheek for an Ecuadorian cheek-to-cheek greeting.  Ecuadorian children are respectful, kind, polite, and in awe of Gringos! 

Juan left his work in the fields to come and greet us.  His is proud of his beautiful baby girl and is working hard to provide for her.

We were given a huge bag of plump, red, juicy tomatoes to take home with us as a gift.  We bid farewell to another kind and giving family as we continued on our journey.

Pedro proudly showed us the school he attended up to 6th grade!  His mother told us she attended school up to 2nd grade.  Pedro's main goal right now is to get his high school diploma.  He has five more months of study before his goal will be accomplished, and it will cost him almost $2,000.

On our journey, we met Miguel who was sorting out his red onion harvest.  He had a huge field of onions still waiting to be harvested, which he proudly took us to see.

We posed by his "Torro" for another memorable photo.

Miguel was proud to show us his land and plantings.  Truly a piece of paradise.....

Pedro harvested fresh Yucca from his parent's land.

Bananas....

Papayas.......

and beautiful flowers along the way.....

As we headed back to the house, we saw Sr. Salvador heading down the road into town.  His day is very full from early morning to late evening, and for 76, he's an inspiration!

Back at the house, Sra. Rosa and Olga had roasted a Cuy just for us.  It is an Ecuadorian custom that without Cuy there is no celebration, be it a wedding, christianing, holiday, or visiting guests!  They wanted to celebrate us!!  So the night before, Pedro and his mom picked the plumpest Cuy and killed, cleaned and marinated it, while Bo and I watched and listened to Sr. Rosa tell us all about the importance of this wonderful delicacy.
Read more here - http://www.gringotree.com/cuenca/articles/cuenca-news-stories/cuy.php

 Pedro's family was having so much fun posing for pictures, and they even decorated the Cuy with Camote!  They were also having fun teasing me saying, "Hoy es el dia de Linda Y Cuy!!!"

I never thought I'd see they day I would eat a Guinea Pig, but to have said "no" would have been rude.  So, that afternoon, before heading home, Bo and I joined this generous family for their Cuy and Chancho feast in honor of our visit.  I must say, it was delicious!!!!   Though we don't have photos of everyone whom we met in the two days we visited, we ate with Pedro's parents, cousins, nieces, sister, and nephew, and that tiny house was packed with a lot of love, delicious food, and true Ecuadorian family!!!!  We will forever remember our time with Pedro's loving and humble family.  They have invited us back to celebrate the New Year with them......so more to come!!!