One Friday morning, we went with our tutor, Bertha, to Gualaceo, which is a small artisanal city outside of Cuenca. One fun part about the experience was taking a bus to the bus terminal and then a bus to Gualaceo. It's $0.10 a person just to pass through the turnstile to get to where the buses are. While riding the bus, a few vendors stood up to sell their products. One person was just selling chocolates but had quite the sermon to go with it. The earnestness was quite intense, I just wish I could understand what was being said. Another person sold oils and ointments and another a layered pudding dessert. Always be selling!
The museum, if it can be called that, was really quite interesting. Basically it was a home of a very industrious family with all sorts of stuff. The weaving is so interesting, I can't believe how quick the fingers of the artists move! I bought an 11x14" loom ages ago with the intent of making some woven art hangings, but I only did about 1-2" of one... so maybe I'll pick that up when we get home?
We all enjoyed learning about the dyes themselves. The dyes are made from plants and insects and then set with charcoal. The girls got to mix a bit of dye in the palms of their hands. When the woman added baking powder, the mixture fizzed and changed color.
One part of our visit was the shop. I would really love to buy my girls (and myself!) traditional Ecuadorian skirts but they are really expensive. For a skirt for me, we're looking at $150 and for the girls $75. Maybe I should be less of a tightwad but I'm struggling with that price. Anyways, they loved dressing up. One part of the visit that I didn't like was I felt pressure to buy. I did eventually buy a red and white scarf that I'll put on my dining room table. Maybe it was a good thing to be pressured? I'm happy with my purchase for sure. Sometimes when I'm traveling and looking for the perfect thing, I end up not buying anything (France I'm looking at you!).
Other industries happening in this home were fish and raising cuyes. Yup guinea pig! In this one little house, there were about 40-50 cuyes!
PS: I LOVE the countryside of Ecuador! It is so beautiful!
This afternoon, we visited this Catholic museum. I walked right in because so far almost all the museums we've visited have been free! We've only paid for one. But I was quickly turned around and redirected to the front desk to pay admission for my daughters and myself. Whoops. While I did enjoy this museum, I liked the building and the lighting more than what the museum contains. I think I would have a greater appreciation if I were Catholic. As a Christian I still appreciate what I saw, but I'm sure not in the same way as someone who practices Catholicism. The building itself was really beautiful. I loved the wood floors, the painted wooden doors and the ceiling in each room was painted in stripes. The courtyards were dreamy. I sure enjoyed taking photos of my daughters here. I'm always chasing the perfect photo which is harder with three children instead of two. And a baby who likes to look away and do her own thing! Oh Maeve. I'm often wearing Maeve in the ergo, which makes it a little tricky to get her into photos. It takes a little more effort to get her out of the ergo and wiggling in her sisters' arms!
I really enjoy these afternoons when we get out and see things around town. So rewarding.
Today was the second time the girls and I have visited this museum (it's called Centro Interamericano de Artesanías y Artes Populares or CIDAP). Honestly, I think they like the gift shop next door more than the museum. I really like this little museum. It's super close to our apartment, on the way to our favorite park. When I get home, maybe I will actually use the loom I bought and learn how to make some wall hangings! I definitely want to every time I visit this place. Today we walked through, strolled through the gift shop and then picked up a snack at the next door cafe. It's these moments that are so wonderful.
One problem with Ecuador is that we don't have a high chair, but we do have a 15 month old baby who is a messy eater. We did primarily baby led weaning with Maeve so she's used to feeding herself. Funnily enough, she eats more when we feed her. Meal time is usually a pretty big mess, but fortunately over the last almost 6 weeks, Conor and I have both chilled out about it. Maeve loves utensils, she loves eating off our plates and she loves avocados. Oddly, she would not touch avocados in the USA, but here she loves them! It's not uncommon for me to be preparing a meal and giving her bites of avocado. It's so funny to watch her scoot towards me with her mouth open. My little bird.
Maeve, oh Maeve. Tonight when I was telling my mom about Maeve, she pointed out that one of the challenges this big age gap gives us is that Maeve is going to want to do what her sisters do and feel frustrated when she's too young! Fortunately, the big sisters are really patient most of the time. I couldn't help but snap a couple of photos of Maeve "helping" sweep. Add a couple annoyed squeals when she doesn't get to do it her exact way and that's my baby! Reminds me of Holly vacuuming when she was two.
We don't have a dishwasher in our apartment which is kind of awesome. Conor and I keep meaning to give our girls more responsibility, but it's easier to do everything ourselves. Here in Ecuador, the girls take turns doing dishes, wiping the table and sweeping. And it's awesome. Of course, we sometimes still help them with dishes. But it's been so great to have them pitch in more!
Also, those cheeks!
