LIVING IN CUENCA - OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!!!

Beautiful Spring-Warm Cuenca - Magnificent sunny blue skies and fragrant colorful tropical flowers blooming in December!

 Ahhhh, December 5th one year ago!  I still remember that day.  We arrived in Cuenca via Van from Guayaquil.  We hauled 8 suitcases up the stairs of our temporary condo in the heart of the Historic District.  It was 5:00 pm.  An hour later we were at La Vina Restaurant, one block away, toasting to our "new beginning!"  I cried (yeah, I'm a big cry baby - so?????)   Getting ready to leave the USA (it took 3 long months of planning, purging, and packing) was no small feat - but we did it!

Now, one year later - I reflect back and remember it all!  How on earth did we accomplish what seems now like an impossible task?  Of course, I don't think I could ever do it again, nor do I want to.  Yet, if we have to, we will!!  For now, we're so settled in - incredibly so!  The thought of going back to the USA to live makes me cringe.  This has become home and I love our simplified lifestyle.  It's taken a year to say this - but there, I said it.  THIS IS NOW HOME!

So, what makes it home after one year, you ask?
1 - We have settled into an apartment, at last! - Finally, after 5 moves in less then 5 months (read the blog!) - and it's beautifully, comfortably, inexpensively furnished and bursting with color.  This has made it home.  When we were renting those uncomfortable sparsely furnished temporary "white wall" boring places, my passion to decorate was stifled, and I never felt it was home.  Though we are renting, this is ours - at least everything we've bought and placed inside is ours.  We can move stuff around, splash more colorful paint on the walls (our trusting landlord is okay with that!!) drill holes in the concrete walls (what a mess - thank God for spackle), and add or take away and move things around.  An interior decorator's delight (that would be me!!).  Yes, this makes it home.
2 - Special friendships - When we decided to have a one-year celebration with our truly special friends here, we couldn't believe how everyone we invited wanted to join us and celebrate with us (one couple couldn't stay, but they showed up anyway just to hug us and congratulate us - that's a class act and meant so much to me!!).  The evening was so memorable!  What heart connections, what lovely people - everyone sharing their journey here - some newly arrived, some here only a few months, others we've known from the beginning.  I cried (yeah, yeah - I told you I'm a cry baby!!).  I've learned that we won't always connect with everyone we meet here.  Some acquaintances will be just that - people we've met, shared some time with, but both parties have moved on because we didn't have that heart-connection.  That's okay.  It doesn't make it a bad thing or wrong!  Our motto is, "If it doesn't flow, let it go!"  By flow, I mean, it doesn't take work and so much effort to try and connect.  Some people have the "I" disease.  Have you met them?  They just want to bloviate and rattle on about themselves and their lives and never ask about you.  When you finally are able to get a word in, they are unbelievably ready to talk right over you and never heard what you said.  Oh, how long a simple hour with the "I" people can be - as you begin to shut down and barely can listen to them, hoping they will eventually stop talking and come up for air.  They don't and they won't!  Some people have no joy.  They just like to complain and mumble and grumble.  Or they have a big black cloud that follows them where ever they go.  I don't want to be under or anywhere near that cloud.  And being around joyless people makes me feel so heavyhearted.  Some people are rude and crude.  I'm not a prude, but I don't like listening to potty mouths and the "F" word every other sentence.  It's disrespectful, tasteless, and doesn't endear me to those men or women.    Some people are KNOW-IT-ALLS!  No matter what you say or share, they have all the answers  (the "Ah, no.......that's not true" or "that's not how it is...."  and on and on.  They are not teachable, could care less what you believe or know, and they want to blah blah blah all about what they know.  I shut down completely in these situations, not wanting to share with them now or ever.  There's no way to go in a conversation with know-it-alls. How I love sharing my heart with people who are interesting to learn from and interested in learning from me.   Then there are the people who love to talk negatively about Ecuador and the Ecuadorian people.  "These people......."   "This place......"  Hey, first of all, I'm of Spanish descent, and I take rude criticisms of the Spanish culture personally.  Secondly, I LOVE, absolutely LOVE Ecuador and its beautiful people, some of whom are very dear friends of ours.  We have the same challenges and frustrations adjusting here as everyone else, but we don't trash the Ecuadorians.  I remember an evening with an ex-pat married to an Ecuadorian who continued to trash the Ecuadorians with his wife sitting right next to him.  I finally had to squash his conversation (he didn't care for me much after that).  Never got together with him again!  So, our one-year circle of special friends are people who are loving, tender-hearted, interesting to talk WITH (the conversation flows with mutual interest in each other) and people who are joyful, respectful and thankful in all things. It doesn't mean we don't share our challenges and differences concerning Ecuador and the Ecuadorians, but we do it in truth and love and with grace.  We now continue to look forward to more special friendships as we enter year #2.
3 - Being "Jubilado" - Yes, after one year of being retired, I can honestly say it suits me well.  I think Bo's getting used to not having his corporate profession and being retired also.  I LOVE my freedom.  I LOVE having my days to do as I please.  I LOVE having all the time in the world to pursue the things I want to do that bring me joy and passion.  Sometimes just sitting around in my sweats and doing nothing is all I want to do - AND I CAN!  Yet, we find our days FULL, and we are NEVER bored here or feel like we are in a rut.  When that begins to happen, it will be time to rethink our lives here and make plans to move on.  For now, this is such a fabulous city to be "Jubilado" in.
4 - Speaking Spanish - A big part of feeling at home for me is speaking a language that has escaped me for 40 years.  When I left home at 18, I lost so much of my Spanish language and fluency.  Being raised in New York with a Puerto Rican family, I was fluent and bi-lingual because I heard my parents and relatives speaking Spanish all the time - and as children we spoke Spanish to our relatives who were not bilingual.  It's so easy to lose it if you don't use it.  So, living in a Spanish culture feels like home - hearing and speaking my language again brings me incredible joy.  I want to become 100% fluent again.  It's coming - after one year here of speaking Spanish daily, in spite of my mistakes, my tongue getting twisted, and giving the Ecuadorians a few chuckles (it's that masculine/feminine thing that really messes me up - Oh, and the verb tenses)! I am determined to continue to speak until one day, I master my language again.  There are many Ecuadorians here who know English - rather they understand it, but they don't speak it.  They lost it because they didn't use it after living in the USA for years and finally returning here.  Our landlord lived in the USA for 20 years, but he does not speak English.  His wife is pretty fluent.  She said he never wanted to learn. His wish came true!  Humility and a desire to learn is what it will take to master this beautiful language.  I'm thankful for what I can speak.  It's opened the door to so many beautiful Ecuadorian relationships, and we now have Ecuadorian "family" here.  This has made Cuenca HOME one year later.
5 - Familiarity with the City - No matter where you move to, it takes time to get to know the area and the people.  Bo and I have moved a lot in our 23 years together.  The most difficult part for me during each move has been not having my close friendships and feeling lost in a strange land.  Yet with time, I have always learned the area and made new and long-lasting friendships.  Moving to another country is even more difficult because of the language barrier and the culture shock.  Well, one year later we both feel at home here.  Bo is learning Spanish (finally stepping out and speaking through his mistakes and persevering), we both are familiar with our neighborhood and have special places we like to shop, eat at , and frequent, and we have FRIENDS whom we can visit and who visit us.  So, this has made our personal world here "home."  I recently read some feedback about places to live in Cuenca, and places not to live.  Living near the mercados was listed as a dangerous place to live - "don't live near any mercado."  I laugh!!  Bo and I live 1/2 block from the 10 de Agosto Mercado, and we are continually warned, "Tenga cuidado - es Peligroso!" (Be careful.  It's dangerous!!).  Hey, we got robbed back in Oregon for over $20,000 worth of our possessions in mid-afternoon, the same year we decided to move to Ecuador!  It's dangerous in any city or town all over the world.  Yes, we are cautious, we don't walk around looking like victims, and we don't flaunt anything to attract "un ladron!"  Yet, it could still happen.  We can become victims of crime here too.  So, please, spare me.  We love the familiarity of being near the mercado, having the vendors embrace us and smile and reach out to us when we walk by.  We love the hustle and bustle of our city block and the noise and the vibrancy of activity in the day.  We love the location of our home in this beautiful historic city.  Yes, this apartment #5 has become home!

I could go on and on about what makes Cuenca home, but these are some of the major reasons that one year later we are truly experiencing a life we enjoy here.  It's a big world out there, and there are so many places to travel to and explore.  For now, we are focusing on Ecuador and hope to travel out of Cuenca and explore more of this colorful, humble, and beautiful country.

If you were a part of our one-year celebration, I want to thank you dear and special friends for joining us for the evening and toasting us and sharing your hearts with us and with each other.  We look forward to more special times together!  Through our current special friends, we will meet other like-minded and like-hearted friends and enlarge the friendship circle of support and encouragement, and laughter and inspiration.  For those of you fairly new here who have shared with us some of your struggles and challenges (apartment struggles, visa process nightmares, initial culture shock and the language frustrations, personal loss and heartache since arriving here, etc), know that you too will be celebrating "one year later!"  I hope we can be a part of your celebration and toast to your many victories, and that this beautiful city will finally feel like home to you too.  Thank you for making our life here so special.  It truly is the special people we meet along the way that make any place HOME!
 

We celebrated our one-year anniversary at Fabiano's (Presidente Cordova 4-84 y Mariano Cueva - Delicious food and caring owners)!  An entire room was reserved for our circle of special friends, and a memorable fun evening was shared by all.

Bo and I took anchovies to Fabiano (who makes the best pizza in Cuenca), and he made us our special "White Pizza" - AND we ate the whole thing!  Yeah, we're both from New York, and we don't do Pineapples!

We enjoyed listening to each of our friends share their story about what brought them to Cuenca and how they met Bo and me.  It was inspiring, encouraging, and a very intimate time together.

TIRAMISU - Fabiano's delicious dessert sweetened the evening even more!

One year later, we continue to enjoy living one block from our beautiful Tomebamba River.  It's been snowing and freezing cold in rainy Eugene, Oregon.  Another reason why I love calling Cuenca HOME!!!  Don't miss those long dreary winters.

Sharon (Shah-rone) - She is my beautiful, precious, adorable little gift here.  I love her with all my heart and she makes living here one of my greatest joys.  Every time Sharon and her mom come to dine and hang out with us, we have very special hours with La Sharon.  To know her is to love her!  The Ecuadorian children are beautiful beyond words - and to have Sharon as part of my life is truly a gift from God. 

LIVING IN CUENCA ECUADOR - FELIZ CUMPLEANOS - An Ecuadorian Family Birthday!

Our friend, Carmen, turned 75 years old last Saturday, and what a celebration it was!  Bo and I, and our friend, Sandy, were invited to this Ecuadorian Family's gala event, and it was one of the most joyous, loving, and fun times we've had since living here.  We met wonderful people, family and friends of the guest of honor, and we drank, ate, and danced for hours.  We were honored to be invited to and included in this private family event, and knowing Carmen and her family has added more meaning to our "life in Cuenca."

So how do we know this precious "birthday" woman?  A few weeks ago, we helped our "blog" friend, Sandy, look for an apartment in El Centro.  Lo and behold, Carmen became her landlady when Sandy rented the most fabulous place from her three days after arriving in Cuenca.  (This apartment was not advertised.  We took a wrong turn going somewhere else, and there was a small sign pasted to a jewelry store window - really!!)  Because Carmen doesn't speak English, I became the translator for Sandy and Carmen.  This is a landlady who takes special care of her renters, and we have now become friends just because she's also so loving and fun to be around.  Being able to speak Spanish has once again given us the privilege and opportunity to know another fun and loving Ecuadorian family and to be invited into their home.  I could talk to Carmen for hours because she shares from the heart and cares.  Sandy is so blessed to have found such a wonderful apartment to now call home with a "duena" who will truly be there for her.  It doesn't get better than this, does it?

Two beautiful people - Carmen and Sandy

Come and enjoy this fabulous event I was able to capture between drinking, dancing, and laughing!

Every decoration and detail was classy and colorful....

....but, Carmen was the classiest and most colorful of all!

Over 100 guests were dressed to the nines, and now I know why there are so many fancy dress, suit, and shoe shops block after block in El Centro.  These Ecuadorian people love to dress up and party!

During the dancing and festivities, waiters came around and served each guest this most amazing wooden platter with three incredible desserts on it.  Oh, I was in heaven savoring each of these unique delectables.

Balloons were distributed to the party crowd, and during the dancing guests popped them and cheered.

There was joy and laughter everywhere.

Lots of hugging and smiling and posing to capture the moment!

A singer honors Carmen with a special birthday tune....

.....and the family applauds and cheers her on to sing "more!"

Sandy is having too much loving and fun.

Dance, dance, dance the night away! 

It was one of the most elegant birthday cakes I've ever seen!

An emotional moment when Carmen blew out her candles and then hugged her sister.

In Ecuador, even children dance the night away - and can they move to the beat!

Yes, I did put my camera down often so I too could join the fun and dance.  Bo picked up my camera and began to take photos of his wife (I'm never in any pictures.  I was this night!!!)

I will NEVER forget this joyous celebration with loving and fun people who included the three of us in Carmen's special fiesta. 

Happy Carmen and her sister are so beautifully adorned and colorful!

More posing and what sweet expressions!

By now, Sandy and Bo are "hat" adorned.  Bo's first tie event in over 7 months since he quit Corporate America.  We're both enjoying being "Jubilado."

Ecuadorian families are very close, they love to dress up, and they are truly a handsome and beautiful people!

The party seemed like it would go on into the wee hours of the morning.....

......because there was plenty of wine and good cheer yet to come!

Carmen danced continually - and even Sandy had a cha-cha dance with her friend.

I met Sandy through my blog back in December when she came for her exploratory visit to Cuenca.  Here she is, six months later, living in Cuenca and happy, partying, and making new friends. 

This blog posting is dedicated to a very special woman - Carmen!  My birthday blessing to our friend:  Que Dios bendiga ricamente su año de antelación y que tenga muchos muchos años más para bailar y reír.  
Thank you, Carmen, for allowing us to be a part of your magical day.

I hope our readers have enjoyed going to Carmen's party.  If you haven't had the opportunity to celebrate with an Ecuadorian family and to be a part of their lives, I can confidently say you're missing a wonderful part of being in Ecuador.  To be a part of the Ecuadorian family culture here is an honor and the greatest part of living in Cuenca for both Bo and me.  I'm glad I could share this special birthday time with you through my lens. 

LIVING IN ECUADOR - OUR NEW ECUADORIAN FAMILY

One of the most memorable movies I have ever seen is "The King's Speech."  For me, it was a reminder that when one operates in their gift, they can touch any life, from the famous and rich to the unknown and poor, from the untouchable to that one person who wants more than anything what you have to offer, in spite of any fancy degree or qualifying certificate. And, because of your gift and true passion to give, a lifetime friendship can be the most rewarding end result.

In the short time we have been living in Cuenca, Ecuador, we are daily reminded that if we are willing to give of our time and talents, we can touch the less fortunate or that one person who wants more than they currently have, and in turn we are the ones who are blessed. 

I am not an English teacher, nor do I have any credentials that would qualify me worthy of teaching.  My husband, however, is a graduate of a NY College with a teaching degree in English.  He does have a God-given gift of teaching and also valid qualifying credentials to teach!  Today, we attended a twice-weekly Spanish Chat Group which we usually hit and miss because of our daily busy schedule.  A few weeks ago, I received and responded to an e-mail sent out by the two organizers of this chat group.  Because of the organizers' e-mail and my quick pro-active response, Bo and I now have another precious Ecuadorian family in our lives and two more hungry Ecuadorian people who attend our weekly "English Classes" held at our home.

I remember when we were living in Honduras and several Hondurans we met were hungry to learn English.  Bo and I were able to give them English teaching books and had on-going daily conversation to help them along.  When we left that country, one of the friends we were blessed to know cried when I gave him my personal bi-lingual Bible and told him that I hoped he would one day speak English fluently.  I will never forget that moment because I know that his life was forever changed.

Since leaving the USA 14 weeks ago and letting go of all our stuff and the daily rut we were in, all I desire to do here is to somehow make a difference.  What is that for me, personally?  I can give away what I have to someone who wants it.  Do I need a degree or a piece of paper that says I am a teacher?  NO!  What I do need is the God-ordained gift and ability to do so and to carve out precious time to make it happen.

Someone in "Chat" said to me today, "I met an Ecuadorian who really wants to learn Spanish, but I don't have the time.......  Can you talk to him?"  Another person told me that she has an English teaching certificate but doesn't know how to get things going here to teach English and would I let her know if anyone needed help.  There are some Ecuadorians here who truly want to learn English, just as there some ex-pats who truly want to learn Spanish.  It takes a desire and a real commitment on both parts to make this happen - a student who has the desire and is committed to learn and a teacher who is gifted and committed to teach.

The woman who's e-mail I quickly responded to is an English Teacher in Cuenca, but she doesn't speak fluently and needed help passing two required time-sensitive 4-hour exams in order to keep her current position.  She also has another exam in the fall that will be even more critical for her livelihood.  Bo and I accompanied her to her home that weekend to support and guide her (not take the test for her), and she passed with a high score and expressed so much gratitude.  The following week we helped her with another written and oral exam, which she also proudly passed.  Today her family has more than embraced us and thanked us for our help.

Mother and one daughter are now attending our weekly English classes at our home, and they have embraced us and we are now a part of their family.  This is always the best end-result blessing.  On Saturday, this loving family fixed a special meal to thank us and to honor Bo's birthday.  We were so touched.  It was an afternoon of love, laughter, and delicious Ecuadorian food.  We shared so much (Oh, how thankful I am that I can speak Spanish), and we ate too much.  It is another special time here that we will remember fondly, and we know we will be sharing more wonderful times together apart from English lessons and exams.

We're thankful to Sandra and Wayne for sharing this need and giving us the opportunity to be the ones to help this family.  Because of it we now have new Ecuadorian friends who consider us family and we can look forward to more good times ahead.

Our Ecuadorian family (Pancho, Erika, Jimena, Mari, and the dog kids) adorn and honor Bo for his birthday!  (They spoiled Bo beyond words!)

Jimena, Erika, Mari, and Pancho.  We love them so much - and they love us!!!

Erika doesn't want to learn English.  Mari does!  So, Mari comes weekly to our home with her mom to learn and improve their English.  (Aren't they beautiful?)

 

CHALLUABAMBA, ECUADOR - WITH SPECIAL FRIENDS!!!

This past weekend we visited with friends at their uniquely built and one-of-a-kind peaceful rustic country home in the beautiful valley of nearby Challuabamba, a small community about 15 minutes via taxi from the heart of El Centro. The elevation there is about 2,000 feet less than that of Cuenca's 8,500 feet, so their weather can be 5 to 10 degrees warmer and supposedly has less rain.  We have been in our rainy season here in Cuenca, which is nothing compared to what Bo and I left in the Willamette Valley of Eugene-Springfield, Oregon. So less rain, to us, would be a dry area!  We also met another couple there who have lived in Panama for the past couple years and were here to explore the possibility of relocating to Cuenca.  Our time together with these two couples was enjoyable, informative, and deliciously relaxing.

The six of us shared a wonderful organic feast that evening.

For Bo and me, it was wonderful to see another breathtaking area outside the city proper and to also fellowship with more fun, easy-going and interesting ex-pats.

View from the bathroom window!

View from the beautiful outside deck.  The magical skies and cloud formations here change by the minute!

A fragrant and lush Hibiscus hedge-row borders this unique property.

There are flowers in Ecuador year-round. 

Another fabulous view from the rustic deck.

Living in Cuenca has given us the opportunity to meet ex-pats from the United States, Canada, Europe, and other remarkable areas of the world.  It is one of the many things we love about being here.

Of course, we continue to especially enjoy the friendships we establish with the local Ecuadorians, which happens daily!  I cannot stress enough how important it is to learn Spanish because it opens up many more doors and opportunities to truly get to intimately know the Ecuadorian culture and personal lifestyle of the locals.  It was close to 10:30 pm when we finally rose to leave our friends' comfy home.  They called their private taxi friend to drive us back to Cuenca.  My ability to communicate in Spanish (and believe me, I have much to improve on) had me chatting with our driver Fernando who lives in Challuabamba. As we headed down the hill, he asked us if we liked the "postre" that our friends had served.  He proudly told me he had made them.  Bo and I raved about how delicious they were, and he asked me if we'd like to see his "Panaderia."  Of course!  So, at 10:30 pm he was driving towards his bakery and phoning his wife to open the shop.  (I thought it was going to be a drive-by.)  I said, "Fernando, you don't have to wake up your wife!  We can come back another time."  Oh, no!  He wasn't going to have it.  He said it was "No problema".

On the way to the Panaderia, Fernando gave us a drive-by-mini-tour of some of the area of Challuabamba where he has lived all his life.  He showed us their church on top of a hill, and across the street teenagers from the school nearby were playing soccer in a lighted field.  We got out of the taxi and inhaled the beautiful evening air and basked in the hill-top scenery.  Ecuadorians are night owls.  They work, attend school, or play sports at the oddest hours of the evening.  It's their daily weekly lifestyle. 

We got back in the cab and drove down the hill to his bakery.  His wife was obviously awakened from a deep sleep, but she graciously smiled and welcomed us in.  YUM, YUM, YUM!  The sweet smell of dessert hit us.  The beautiful display was so tempting, I found myself saying, "Give me one of each!"

Fernando proudly handed me a basket and some tongs, and Bo and I began to honor him by raving and picking several of his artistically assembled and delicious pastries.  By now, Nuvea was awake and busy totaling up our selection.  I decided to take out my camera and photograph this delicious and special moment. 

Fernando lit up!  He willingly posed for me by his dessert display 

   and then took out his phone and began to photograph Bo and me.  

Now, Nuvea was wide awake and smiling (isn't she beautiful?).  We had some wonderful laughs with Bo's continued jokes in his broken Spanish (the Ecuadorians love my hunky people-loving husband).  It continues to be my passion to capture EVERY moment, event and person we meet, and this was one of those beautiful moments.

finally, it was time to go.  By now, it was well after 11 pm.  Nuvea closed up the bakery and decided to ride into the city with us.  So, the four of us headed out in their car, and by the time we were in front of our apartment we had shared bits and pieces of our uniquely different lives and culture.  They asked curious questions about our life in the USA and why we left,  and we asked questions about their lives as life-long young Ecuadorians.  For me, one of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of living here is being able to speak the language and getting to know the people from Ecuador by intimately sharing in their lives. The young Ecuadorians are loving and respectful, and they sincerely enjoy sharing and talking to us.

At last, Fernando pulled up to our apartment, and as we gathered our backpacks Nuvea smiled and said, "Come and visit us anytime!"  Fernando nodded in agreement.  I reached over the seat, took Nuvea's hand and said "We'd love to!  Thank you!!"  We knew that their invitation was sincere, and hopefully we will see them again.  For now, we have made and captured more memories of another relaxing time, sweet treats, and an evening of meeting very special, genuine and loving people.  Yes, we continue to make many heart-warming memories here!

 Bet you can't eat just one!!!!

Majestic mountains surround Cuenca and have a dramatic effect on the weather. It was interesting to find that more rain falls and the weather is noticeably cooler at homes we inspected at higher elevations. The difference of a few thousand feet was dramatic. Fortunately, we found the weather warmer by about five to 10 degrees and with considerably less rain in Challuabamba, a spectacular valley 2,000 feet below Cuenca and only a 15-minute drive from the city.
One of the reasons we chose the Sierra Mountains in Ecuador is that the temperature every day of the year is a constant 60 to 70 degrees and only goes down to 50 degrees at night. Rather than the four seasons we left in the U.S., there are only two seasons in the Sierra-the wet season, which runs from January through March, and the rest of the year, which is the dry season. A typical day in Cuenca is bright sun until afternoon, when rain showers come from the clouds racing over the mountains. It is a climate to be envied anywhere, and quite a surprise since it lies on the equator, where you’d expect sultry heat night and day.
Again, the equatorial sun is not what you would expect. Because the sun is directly overhead at the equator and there is almost no pollution at Cuenca’s altitude, the clouds and sky are intensely bright. The stark contrasts created by the intense sun are a photographer’s dream come true.
- See more at: http://www.ideal-living.com/?p=1177#sthash.Qb84bptl.dpuf

Majestic mountains surround Cuenca and have a dramatic effect on the weather. It was interesting to find that more rain falls and the weather is noticeably cooler at homes we inspected at higher elevations. The difference of a few thousand feet was dramatic. Fortunately, we found the weather warmer by about five to 10 degrees and with considerably less rain in Challuabamba, a spectacular valley 2,000 feet below Cuenca and only a 15-minute drive from the city.
One of the reasons we chose the Sierra Mountains in Ecuador is that the temperature every day of the year is a constant 60 to 70 degrees and only goes down to 50 degrees at night. Rather than the four seasons we left in the U.S., there are only two seasons in the Sierra-the wet season, which runs from January through March, and the rest of the year, which is the dry season. A typical day in Cuenca is bright sun until afternoon, when rain showers come from the clouds racing over the mountains. It is a climate to be envied anywhere, and quite a surprise since it lies on the equator, where you’d expect sultry heat night and day.
Again, the equatorial sun is not what you would expect. Because the sun is directly overhead at the equator and there is almost no pollution at Cuenca’s altitude, the clouds and sky are intensely bright. The stark contrasts created by the intense sun are a photographer’s dream come true.
- See more at: http://www.ideal-living.com/?p=1177#sthash.Qb84bptl.dpuf