Well, here's something I haven't done much of lately... Sunday photos of my darlings! Maeve with pigtails! Maeve has worn through the bottoms of two pairs of pants and one pair of jammies. That bottom scoot is really hard on the clothing! I bought her the knitted tights she's wearing here for $2.
This is my baby after we've walked home from church. We could not keep her awake in the ergo! On this Sunday, she went to nursery and clearly had a great time. Immediately following Sacrament meeting at church, Maeve gets whisked away by someone. She's quite the little celebrity!
We had a really lovely Saturday here in Cuenca recently. We woke up slow and then headed out the the Museo Municipal de Arte Moderno. It was fantastic! This building has in the past been a school, a recovery place for alcoholics and a jail. The small rooms that the galleries are in (all those doors in a row!) were once upon a time jail cells. We had a one on one tour (in spanish!) throughout the entire museum, which included a fun art project for the children. I had no idea how awesome this museum was going to be, however it was fantastic! Would return! One of my favorite galleries was art by Luis Crespo Ordóñez. I really liked the vibrant colors, stripes and geometric patterns he used. When I look up some of the artists I like here, there isn't anything I can buy. I want a print or a book about the artist. But these things don't seem to exist. I may have to return to the museum and see if there's anything in the store.
Another display that we loved was origami pine wood pieces. It was incredible! Some of the wood was so thin that light passed through.
Towards the end of our visit, we came across a couple of museum dogs and one of them followed us for the remainder of our time. Of course all three of my girls loved the dog! But maybe that's where Holly's flea bites came from? Poor girl!
After our visit, we went across the street to a cafe that caters to gringos. I had the most amazing cobb salad and KOMBUCHA! Add that to things I miss. I love Saturdays.
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.
